Postnatal Support Network
Budget
€10 — €0
EP Access
0
accredited persons
Staff
4
0.55 FTE
EU Grants
None
Mission & Goals
Our goals are to: Advocate for Policy Change – Advance EU and Member State policies that recognise postpartum care as a public health priority, including access to comprehensive physical and mental health services, equitable parental leave, and workplace protections. Promote Preventative Health – Highlight the long-term preventive benefits of investing in postpartum support, reducing risks of chronic physical and mental health conditions, and improving intergenerational outcomes. Foster Collaboration – Build strong partnerships among EU institutions, national governments, healthcare professionals, researchers, community organisations, and parent advocates to strengthen postpartum care systems. Raise Awareness – Increase visibility of the importance of postpartum wellbeing through public campaigns, storytelling, and dissemination of evidence-based resources. Support Equity and Inclusion – Ensure that postpartum care is accessible, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, inclusivity
EU Legislative Interests
The Postnatal Support Network (PSN) engages with EU policy initiatives that influence maternal, newborn, and family wellbeing, with a particular focus on the postpartum period (“fourth trimester”). Our work aligns with and seeks to contribute to the following EU strategies and frameworks: EU Mental Health Strategy / Initiative (2023) – Advocating for postpartum mental health to be explicitly recognised within EU mental health policies, including prevention, early detection, and trauma-informed care. EU Gender Equality Strategy (2020–2025) – Addressing structural inequalities by advocating for equitable parental leave, workplace rights, and recognition of unpaid care work during the postpartum phase. EU Care Strategy (2022) – Supporting measures that strengthen formal and informal care systems, with emphasis on postpartum support as a critical component of family and community care. European Child Guarantee (2021) – Promoting postpartum support as foundational to ensuring that every child has access to healthcare, adequate nutrition, and nurturing care environments from the earliest stages of life. EU4Health Programme (2021–2027) – Encouraging funding and initiatives that address maternal morbidity, perinatal mental health, and the long-term preventive benefits of postpartum care. European Pillar of Social Rights – Supporting implementation of principles related to healthcare access, gender equality, work-life balance, and child and family support. European Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2021–2024) – Linking maternal and postpartum wellbeing to children’s rights and early childhood development outcomes. Relevant national implementation measures of maternity and parental leave directives – Monitoring and contributing to the strengthening of Directive (EU) 2019/1158 on Work-Life Balance for Parents and Carers, ensuring postpartum needs are addressed.
Communication Activities
The Postnatal Support Network (PSN) carries out a range of communication and advocacy activities to advance EU policy priorities on maternal, mental, and family health, including: Events & Webinars Hosting online webinars and roundtables on postpartum health, maternal mental health, and preventative care, with EU-level and national stakeholders. Proposal for participation in the EU Health Policy Platform Thematic Networks cycle, contributing to policy dialogue and dissemination of best practices. Co-organisation of the Postnatal rEvolution Summit (2024–2025), bringing together EU and international experts to shape the Postpartum Call to Action. Campaigns Running awareness campaigns on the importance of the postpartum period (“the missing fourth trimester”), focusing on prevention, equity, and long-term wellbeing. Promoting inclusive public messaging to destigmatise postpartum mental health challenges, in alignment with the EU Mental Health Strategy. Developing social media campaigns under #MissingFourthTrimesterEU and #everymother to mobilise public and professional engagement. Publications & Policy Outputs Publication of the Postpartum Call to Action (2025), endorsed by international maternal health leaders, setting out policy recommendations for the EU and Member States. Dissemination of policy briefs, infographics, and fact sheets for EU institutions, national governments, and partner organisations. Contribution to research and evidence summaries linking postpartum health to EU4Health, the EU Care Strategy, and the Child Guarantee. Stakeholder Engagement Building partnerships with organisations such as the European Midwives Association, Perinatal Mental Health Europe, Make Mothers Matter, COFACE Families Europe, and others. Providing expert input in EU consultations, surveys, and policy dialogues related to mental health, gender equality, and family wellbeing.
Interests Represented
Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members
Member Of
The Postnatal Support Network (PSN) works in close collaboration with European and international organisations active in maternal, perinatal, and mental health. PSN maintains partnerships and affiliations with: European Doula Network – (member) collaboration on awareness and advocacy initiatives for maternal physical and mental health. The Well Supported Mother's Collective – (partner) cooperation on postpartum support and policy dialogue. Geboortenis - (partner) a Netherlands-based foundation dedicated to birth and postpartum support, to advance awareness, research, and community-based practices. In addition, PSN engages grassroots and community initiatives across Europe to strengthen advocacy, knowledge exchange, and visibility of postpartum care as a public health priority.
Organisation Members
We have more than 1100 members and are a member of the European Doula Network https://www.europeandoulanetwork.org/ and the Perinatal Resource Collaborative (PRC) https://jointheprc.com/.
Additional Information
Organization of Postnatal rEvolution Summit, publication of Postpartum Call to Action
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.