Perinatal Workshop – Becoming a Mother

Becoming Parents

Pregnancy and the postpartum period aren’t just about the body.
They also affect one’s sense of identity, the bond with the baby, one’s role within the couple, fatigue, mental load, self-image, and how one navigates this new life.

That is why we have developed a two-step support program:

• a workshop focused on pregnancy, physical changes, and how to cope with them;

• a workshop focused on the postpartum period, designed to support physical recovery and help families find a new balance;

Here, it is not merely a matter of conveying information, but of providing a concrete, sensitive, and meaningful space where the body and the psyche are considered together.

In these workshops, you will find:

• a better understanding of the changing nature of motherhood;

• practical and accessible physical tools;

• a safe and non-judgmental space for open discussion;

• guidelines for the couple and the partner's role;

• a more realistic preparation for pregnancy and the postpartum period;

• a time to address concerns (sports, childbirth, getting back into shape…).

Workshop — Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of transition, when changes unfold gradually. Between advice you hear, your own personal feelings, and very practical questions, it’s not always easy to know what’s right for you. General answers aren’t always enough to ease doubts or address your unique situation. This 3-hour workshop, held in a small group with professionals, helps you navigate your pregnancy more fully by connecting the aspects that matter most to you—emotional, mental, and physical—in a caring, practical, reassuring, and deeply human setting. So you can move forward with confidence!

Topics Covered

On the subject of the psyche:

• matrescence and identity restructuring;

• the connection to one's own history

• maternal ambivalence

• The Imagined Baby and the Real Baby

• co-parenting

• the role of the partner in this transition.

Around the body:

• Physical changes: essential tips you need to know.

• Your pregnancy: tests and personalized advice.

• Staying Active: Your Daily Routine and Adapted Sports

• The Body in Childbirth: A Physical Therapy Perspective

• practical tips and physical therapy exercises.

The speakers

My name is Evelyne Martinet. I am a psychologist and psychotherapist certified by the FSP (Swiss Federation of Psychologists), federally recognized, and a former associate psychologist at the CHUV. For thirteen years, I had the privilege of supporting many families within university child psychiatry services in Lausanne and Geneva, particularly at the CHUV maternity ward. These years of clinical practice have allowed me to develop in-depth experience in supporting children, parents, and families during times of transition or vulnerability. In addition to my clinical work, I am also a federally certified adult educator. I have taught at ESEDE and CIAFJ, particularly in the areas of child development and family support.

My name is Solen Duclos, and I am a physical therapist specializing in women’s health. My approach is professional, gentle, and deeply compassionate. I founded and run the Centre Philae in Lausanne, a place dedicated to care, listening, and support. I believe in a holistic approach to care and am pleased to offer preventive care during pregnancy and after childbirth.