For many mums-to-be, the weeks leading up to birth are a blur of baby name lists, nursery decorating and shopping for tiny clothes that may only be worn once. There is a strong sense of build-up and anticipation, and understandably so. The birth is often framed as the big event, the grand finale to nine months of pregnancy.
Antenatal classes are packed with information on contractions, pain relief options, when to go to hospital and how to create a birth plan. If breastfeeding is covered, it is often limited to one short session that barely scratches the surface. There might be a fleeting mention of postnatal recovery, usually somewhere between the bit about packing snacks for your hospital bag and practising breathing techniques. But rarely is there any real focus on what actually happens once the baby is earthside.
What gets lost in all the excitement is that the birth is just the beginning. After the baby arrives, your body is still going through massive changes. You may be physically recovering from a vaginal birth or a caesarean, dealing with stitches or scar tissue, learning how to breastfeed, navigating sleep deprivation and wondering how it is possible to cry and laugh at the same time while holding a cold cup of tea you made three hours ago. Or you might have had a difficult birth and are struggling to process the trauma, something you were never really told to plan for. Yet this phase is often left out of the plan entirely.
Below is a handpicked list of postnatal experts and specialists who can provide a lifeline during the postpartum months. They’re the ones worth bookmarking before baby arrives, so when you do find yourself in need, you are not scrambling to find the right support in the midst of sleep deprivation and hormonal chaos.
Ali Lineham is a registered midwife at The Kensington Wing, Chelsea and Westminster, and the founder of The Postnatal Package, a private service offering at-home postnatal support for new parents. With over 20 years of clinical experience, Ali blends hands-on expertise with warmth, empathy and zero judgement, making her a steady and reassuring presence during those vulnerable early days when, let’s face it, you’ve no idea what you’re doing… because babies don’t come with a manual!
Having delivered countless babies herself, Ali recognised a real gap in the continuity of postnatal care once mums left hospital. The Postnatal Package fills that space, covering everything from clinical tasks like removing stitches and weighing your baby to practical support such as feeding guidance and showing you how to bathe your newborn. Or perhaps you simply need a cup of tea, a cuddle and a few words of encouragement from someone who gets it. Ali brings calm, clarity and confidence right to your doorstep, meeting you from the day you are discharged and continuing care for up to six weeks postpartum.
Dr Marielle Quint is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist who helps new parents navigate the identity shifts and emotional rollercoaster that can come with early parenthood. Her therapeutic approach blends CBT, psychodynamic and systemic thinking.
“Becoming a mother is one of the biggest emotional and psychological shifts a woman can go through. Everything from your identity to your relationships and even your body feels different. Many new mums end up feeling lost, guilty or like they are not getting it right – even when they are doing an amazing job.”
Talking to someone impartial can be transformative, especially when friends or partners are also caught up in their own version of the transition. Marielle offers a safe space to explore your emotions without judgment and helps you process feelings like overwhelm, anxiety or trauma.
Claire Mills is a mum of two, a highly experienced physiotherapist and the founder of Core LDN, a specialist postnatal recovery and pelvic health studio. With over 15 years’ experience and a passion born from her own contrasting birth journeys – one vaginal, one C-section – Claire is a vocal advocate for investing in your physical recovery post birth.
“Giving birth, however the delivery, is a lot on a woman mentally and physically,” she says. “Being prepared for this change can help you navigate this challenging period better and optimise your recovery.”
At Core LDN, Claire and her team of expert pelvic health physiotherapists offer one-to-one physiotherapy, Pilates and strength training to support everything from abdominal separation and pelvic floor rehab to pain management, C-section scar healing and a return to functional movement. Their Postnatal MOT is a popular starting point, assessing posture, pelvic health, DRAM (diastasis) and any pain or niggles, alongside offering supportive advice for feeding positions, constipation, and general wellbeing in the newborn haze.
“There’s a big gap in that first six weeks post birth before the standard NHS check,” she explains. “You may be recovering from birth, in pain, experiencing pelvic floor symptoms or feeling totally disconnected from your body, or even your baby. That’s why we aim to equip clients with what to expect in those early weeks and what gentle movement can actually help.”
Claire also encourages women to consider prenatal preparation as part of postnatal care, explaining how pregnancy alters posture, weakens abdominal muscles and loads the pelvic floor. Maintaining strength before birth can lay the foundation for a smoother recovery after.
Whether you are six weeks or six months post birth, Claire’s approach offers a grounded, gentle yet empowering path to rebuilding your strength and confidence.
Emily Kelly is an OCN Level 5 certified Infant Sleep Consultant and founder of Snoozy Sleep. A mum of two, she offers responsive, compassionate and highly tailored sleep support that meets families where they are, not where a textbook says they should be.
What sets Emily apart is her incredibly detailed initial analysis, where she looks beyond the surface to identify possible underlying causes of sleep struggles… from nutritional deficiencies to birth trauma, developmental leaps or even digestive issues. Her support goes far beyond routine tweaks, offering a holistic picture of your baby’s sleep and wellbeing.
Snoozy Sleep offers one-to-one coaching that is always tailored to your parenting style and your baby’s unique temperament. Emily does not promote outdated cry-it-out methods. Instead, she focuses on building secure attachment, responsive routines and realistic improvements that feel manageable, not militant.
If you’re feeling lost in a sea of conflicting advice, Emily’s calm, supportive guidance can help bring clarity, confidence and much-needed rest.
Rosie Drage is a mum of two, a qualified Mental Health Nurse with 14 years of NHS experience and a trained Health and Wellbeing Coach. She created Postnatal Minds to offer the kind of compassionate, accessible support she believes every mother deserves but rarely receives, especially in the fog of those early postpartum weeks.
“When you’re knee deep in nappies, sick and milk, alongside the huge drop of hormones you experience post birth, the last thing you can think of is going out to a group sometimes. The fourth trimester can be a very lonely and vulnerable place.”
Postnatal Minds offers virtual sessions as well as local in-person support and workshops, combining a clinical understanding with a warm, coaching-led approach. Rosie believes postnatal support should not be restricted to a six-week check, and that there is no expiry date on postpartum care… many of her clients come to her months or even years after giving birth. Her focus ranges from confidence-building and birth debriefs to helping mothers reconnect with the new identity that comes with becoming ‘Mama’.
She also runs relaxed in-person postnatal workshops where mothers can talk openly about how they are feeling and discover tools to help navigate this new season. Her sessions are designed to be stigma-free, emotionally validating and deeply human.
“So much preparation and pregnancy headspace goes into birth planning and what the baby needs,” she says. “Then however our births unfold, women can be left with neglected emotional needs, a new body, a new identity and no space to process any of it. We need to normalise tending to our mental wellbeing just as much as our physical recovery. A happy mum really does equal a happy baby. If we are more relaxed, the babies pick up on this.”
If you are feeling emotionally wobbly, disconnected or simply in need of someone to help make sense of it all, Rosie offers a judgement-free space to feel heard and supported.
A luxury retreat designed for postnatal healing, The Tenth at Mandarin Oriental is a sanctuary for new mothers who need time and space to decompress. Offering expert-led bodywork, physiotherapy, nutrition and emotional care, the retreat is designed to restore and replenish mind and body in the aftermath of birth. Whether you are weeks or several months postpartum, it offers a rare chance to reset and feel supported by a team that understands what recovery really means.
With a team of midwives, physiotherapists, lactation consultants, chefs and wellness practitioners on hand, it is the closest thing the UK has to a postnatal hotel. Think feeding support followed by a massage, or baby care guidance alongside nourishing meals delivered to your bed.
For those wanting to recover in comfort without worrying about the next meal or nap window, this is a dreamlike reset in the heart of London.
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