Haptonomy is defined as “the science of affectivity”. They understand affectivity in the broadest sense of the word, considering how everything that “affects” us can create engrams within us that shape our relationship with our surroundings. It is a science that deals with human interrelationships. Its theoretical and practical body encompasses all of a human being’s life stages, from conception to death. Haptonomy offers specific forms of support adapted to prenatal life, childhood and adult life, even including support at the end of life.
Pre- and postnatal haptonomic support makes it possible to deepen the bond formed in the affective mother-father(partner)-baby triad from very early in pregnancy. Although still little known in our region, it is a highly valued tool in other European countries and is even funded by public health systems (as in the case of France).
What does Prenatal haptonomic support involve?
It includes around 8 prenatal sessions every 10-15 days, lasting 30 to 45 minutes, and 4 postnatal sessions until the baby starts walking independently (around one year of age).
Although it’s most common to begin support with the first intrauterine movements of the baby, ideally it would start as early as possible and never later than 29 weeks of pregnancy, since a late start makes it harder to integrate everything haptonomy can offer.
In a first session, accompanied by the haptotherapist, parents discover how to interact with their child. They do so through physical contact with particular qualities and an emotional commitment from both sides. It is contact full of tenderness that offers an interaction with the baby in a language that everyone will gradually integrate. Afterwards, at home, it will be the couple who enter into this affective dialogue and enrich it over the following sessions. In this way, parents discover that they can support one another and support their child throughout their physical, psychological and emotional development, giving them a place from before birth.
For the mother it helps improve the symptoms associated with pregnancy (digestive, vascular, musculoskeletal…), generating feelings of safety and wholeness that translate into wellbeing, not only physically but also emotionally. Achieving this feeling will also make it easier to cope with difficult situations that, while uncommon, can be associated with pregnancy. It also makes it possible to experience contractions during birth from an inner sense of safety, which can help improve pain management and lead to a more satisfying birth experience, whatever it is like.
The father or partner is the mother’s closest source of emotional support. Haptonomy will give them a specific place in the triangular father-mother-baby bond, to accompany not only their partner’s birth but the birth of their child. It will help them be the one who holds her, who welcomes and helps her throughout pregnancy and birth. It will allow them to give their partner a sense of safety and wholeness, while also relating to their child from that same sense of safety.
A baby supported through haptonomy recognises the affective relationship with their parents early on, and this gives them a baseline sense of safety that shows in a particular tone and attitude visible at birth. Their presence, their way of coming into the outside world from a place of safety, will make interaction easier and, therefore, their physical and emotional development.
When our child is barely a few minutes old they will already be 9 months into their existence, and we can relate to them from before their birth.
Cost of the Service:
1st haptonomic support visit: €65
Haptonomic support follow-up visit: €50