Welcome to New Visitors

On this site many doorways open to reveal the rich dimensions of birth psychology--a new frontier of psychology applied to earliest human development in the womb, to the transformation that comes with parenting, and the mystery and meaning of birthing. Look for new revelations about the significance of prenatal life, the drama that unfolds during birth for all the parties involved, and (perhaps for the first time) grasp the dark shadows of birth trauma and the innovative ways to prevent or heal them. In other sections of birthpsychology study and reflect upon the connection between birth and the origins of violence, and discover from primal health pioneer Michel Odent, M.D. how prenatal and perinatal events correlate with your future health, illness, or death. 

Additionally, please find here valuable lists and directories, including a list of training opportunities, the location of therapists dealing with the psychological issues and traumas of reproduction, and a host of selected websites oriented to birthpsychology.  Also watch for our unique Bookstore containing selected books and videos sharply focused on birth psychology.

These riches come to you as a labor of love from APPPAH, the Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health--pronounced APP (as in apple) and PAH (as in ma and pa). Founded in 1983, APPPAH is a public-benefit educational and scientific organization offering information, inspiration, and support to persons interested in the expanding horizons of birth psychology. Come explore, learn, and work with us!

The "prenatal" in our title refers to the period of about nine months including conception and the whole of gestation, while "perinatal" refers to the very short but crucial period of hours involving labor, birth, and establishment of breastfeeding. We believe that both these prenatal and perinatal experiences are formative for both babies and parents, and tend to establish patterns of intimacy and sociality for life. At stake here is quality of life--the quality of personal relationships and the quality of society itself. Ultimately, we like to point out, "Womb ecology becomes world ecology."

Since the beginning of the website in 1996, we have been pleased to share a portion of our expanding archives with you via the World Wide Web. Currently, we are hosting over 1,300 individual computer "sessions" daily from more than 100 countries. The Association is supported by loyal and dedicated volunteers, students, parents, and professionals working in the field. We invite you to make frequent use of the many resources assembled here, to attend our educational events, and support our vision and mission.

The website team welcomes your comments and suggestions.  Memberships are available at levels that best meet your needs for electronic or printed copies of quarterly publications.  If you are a student officially enrolled in a degree program, membership is especially attractive.  New members will be joining a world community of persons passionately concerned about the first frontier of human development. 

To learn more about the Association, its mission, history, and accomplishments since 1983, please click on APPPAH