A New Approach to Postnatal Care: Jen Darwin and The Village Postnatal Retreat Center

Written by Heather Anderson

Jen Darwin, a labor and delivery nurse turned postpartum doula, recognized a glaring gap in postnatal care early in her career. Drawing from years of experience and cultural models from around the world, Jen founded The Village Postnatal Retreat in the Bay Area, where new parents can recover, rest, and receive the care they need in a space designed specifically for postpartum healing. We spoke with Jen about her journey to opening the retreat, how it’s making a difference in maternal care, and why it’s about more than just luxury—it’s about health, education, and empowerment.

What inspired you to transition from providing individual care through Golden Gate Doula Associates to founding The Village Postnatal Retreat Center?

It actually dates back to my time as a labor and delivery nurse. I would discharge new parents, and they just weren't ready. They were filled with fear, anxiety, and unanswered questions. Our healthcare system spends so much time and attention on the pregnancy, but once the baby is born, all the focus shifts to the baby, and the birthing person is often left out. That was my first clue that we needed to do better in postpartum care.

When I moved into doula work with Golden Gate Doula Associates, I could spend more time with families, educating them and offering support. I began to think, "Why not bring all the services families need into one space?" Instead of parents driving all over town for lactation support, pelvic floor therapy, or postnatal massages, they could check into one location and have everything brought to them. That's where the idea for The Village Postnatal Retreat was born.

The Village is hailed as the first of its kind on the West Coast. What gap did you identify in the market, and how does your retreat address the needs of new mothers differently than traditional postpartum care?

In many other countries, postpartum care like this is part of the culture. When I worked with families in the Bay Area, they’d often say, “I wish we had the kind of care I could get in my home country.” So I started looking into how other countries approach maternal health. Their outcomes are much better than ours in the U.S., and I wanted to learn from them.

Here, after the baby is born, parents are discharged quickly—sometimes within 24 hours—and sent home without the support they need. Our retreat offers a place where families can stay, rest, and recover while receiving expert support. It’s not just about pampering; it’s about health. We provide lactation consultations, pelvic floor therapy, and parent education in a space where new parents can focus on themselves and their baby without stress.

Can you share more about your journey to open the retreat? What led you to pivot from your original 2017 plan and launch in 2023?

In 2017, I started working on the idea and spoke with a business advisor who suggested I build out the village concept first, without the overnight stay component, due to the high costs in San Francisco. So we created a physical space for Golden Gate Doula Associates where we offered services like lactation consulting, acupuncture, and pelvic floor therapy.

By 2020, I was ready to launch the overnight retreat, and then COVID hit. We put everything on hold, thinking it would blow over quickly, but as we all know, that didn't happen. During that time, BoRam opened a similar postnatal retreat in New York. I saw that it was working for them, and it inspired me to move forward with a hotel-based model. We launched in a luxury hotel in 2023, but after six months, I realized that a luxury hotel wasn’t the right fit for postpartum care. It’s not ideal to parade through a busy hotel lobby with a newborn! So we shifted to a private residential space where we could truly customize the rooms for healing and recovery.

“My hope is that we can shift the cultural narrative in the U.S. to recognize how critical postpartum care is, not just for the parent’s health, but for the entire family.”

— Jen Darwin

What does a typical day look like for a mother staying at The Village Postnatal Retreat?

It’s all about rest and recovery. Guests wake up to breakfast served in their room—either with or without their baby, depending on their preference. The baby can stay in the nursery while the parent eats and rests, or they can keep their baby in the room. After breakfast, they might head down to the lounge for some parent education, like tummy time for their baby, or they can book a massage or spa treatment.

The day is entirely customized. If they want more education, they can focus on that. If they want more pampering, we can provide daily massages or facials. Meals are served throughout the day, and in the evening, many guests opt for a relaxing foot soak or a leg compression massage. At night, they can choose whether their baby stays with them or goes to the nursery.

How long do most families stay at the retreat?

We’re seeing an average stay of about five to seven nights. What’s really interesting is that many families are returning for a second stay a few weeks later. After their initial stay, which is focused on physical recovery, they come back around the five or six-week mark for more of a mental and emotional recharge. They just want to sleep, relax, and let someone else take care of the daily tasks for a few days. It’s become a pattern we didn’t expect, but we’re thrilled to provide that support.

The concept of luxury postnatal retreats is more common in countries like South Korea and Taiwan. How did their models inspire you, and what did you adapt for The Village?

These centers are common in Asia, but one thing I noticed from client feedback was that many didn’t want to be separated from their baby, which is the norm in some of those countries. That’s why we allow parents to choose whether their baby stays in the nursery or in their room. We want to respect their preferences.

What I’ve taken from these models is the cultural mindset that postpartum recovery is essential. In those countries, it’s a priority, and it’s normal to take time off and focus on healing. My hope is that we can shift the cultural narrative in the U.S. to recognize how critical postpartum care is, not just for the parent’s health, but for the entire family.

With the cost of the retreat being a significant investment for families, are there any options to help offset that expense?

Yes, we offer several ways to help make it more accessible. First, we provide super bills for insurance reimbursement. Many insurances will cover lactation support, some classes, or even therapy. We break down all the services so parents can submit them to their insurance for partial reimbursement. We also accept HSA and FSA funds, and some employers are starting to offer benefits that cover doula services and postpartum support. Additionally, we’re listed on Be Her Village, a baby registry platform where friends and family can contribute to the cost of the retreat.

For potential guests considering the retreat, how do you reassure them about the benefits of this investment?

It’s all about peace of mind and confidence. We want parents to leave feeling empowered to care for their baby and themselves. From learning how to monitor blood pressure and understand baby weight gain, to ensuring proper lactation and providing hands-on care, we focus on health and recovery. The emotional and mental benefits are huge, too. We see parents leaving with less anxiety, more confidence, and a better understanding of what’s normal and when to seek help. It’s an investment in long-term wellness for both parent and baby.

You can also find Jen Darwin on The M List, The Mamahood’s searchable database of mom-recommended resources, or connect and collaborate with Jen inside The Club membership for women Founders.