Our philosophy
The weeks after birth deserve care
Why this matters
A season, not a moment
Birth is often treated as the end of a journey. For a mother, it is also the beginning of a recovery.
The fourth trimester asks a great deal of your body and your mind. It deserves time, attention and expert care.
What many cultures know
A mother is cared for
In many cultures, the weeks after birth are protected. Family gathers, food is prepared, and the new mother is asked to do little more than rest and know her baby.
Sanhujori in Korea is one such tradition. There are many others.
What is missing
Why this matters in the Netherlands
For many families in the Netherlands today, that kind of care is not a given. Families live further apart, partners return to work, and many mothers find themselves recovering alone.
For those far from home, the gap is wider still. The Fourth Sanctuary exists to offer what has gone missing.
Warmth
We value comfort and protection. Recovery begins when you feel held.
Nourishment
We value food as care. What you eat is part of how you heal.
Rest
We value rest as necessary, not indulgent. It is the work of recovery.
“Every mother deserves to be cared for in the weeks after birth. That conviction is why the Sanctuary exists.”
Dominique Demirci, Founder
Further reading
What is the fourth trimester?
The fourth trimester describes the first weeks after birth, when mother and baby are both adjusting. What it means, and why it deserves care.
Why warmth matters after birth
Warmth is the first principle of sanhujori. What keeping warm means in postpartum traditions, and how it shapes a calm recovery.
Rest in the first weeks after birth
Rest is the work of recovery. Gentle thoughts on protecting sleep and quiet in the first weeks after birth.
The waiting list
A place is held for you
The Fourth Sanctuary is preparing to open. Join the waiting list and we will be in touch personally.