HOUSTON – One of the first postpartum retreats in the United States has opened in Houston, offering new mothers a dedicated space to recover physically and emotionally after childbirth.
The Ruby Postnatal provides a luxury experience designed to help moms heal faster and healthier during the critical “fourth trimester,” a period often overlooked in American maternity care.
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Founder Robyn Jedkins, a mother of three, said her own experience inspired the creation of the retreat.
“I have three kids. My last kid was born in October, and after 24 hours, they said, ‘Robyn, you can go home,’ and I was like, ‘I don’t want to go home,’” she recalled. “I just want to stay in this nice, serene hospital. My food was given to me. Someone was there to help me change the baby, take care of the baby... I want to create a space where moms don’t have to bounce back because that is the norm in the U.S.”
Jedkins explained that postpartum recovery is often traumatic and misunderstood.
“When a baby is forming in your stomach, all your organs get pushed up, and then the baby comes out, and your organs just have to find their way back,” Jedkins explained. “Mentally, we’re told ‘you’ve got this, don’t worry about it,’ a lot of people don’t speak out about all the issues that they’re having, and they don’t ask for help.”
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The rates of postpartum depression (PPD) in the United States are higher than in other parts of the world. According to data from 2021, rates of PPD increased to 19% in the U.S.
The Ruby Postnatal offers a safe place to ask for help and hopefully lowers the amount of suffering some moms experience.
There are eight rooms staffed by 25 mother-baby nurses from top Houston hospitals, along with lactation consultants and other specialists. Mothers can receive three fresh, healthy meals daily, postpartum massages, educational classes, and 24/7 nursing support.
If mothers choose to send the baby to a nursery for relaxation, each bassinet is equipped with a camera linked to the mother’s phone, allowing moms to watch their babies from their rooms and feel more comfortable separating from the newborn.
The minimum stay is three nights, with packages available for longer stays. Some international families come for weeks to be near the Texas Medical Center, known for its world-class neonatal care.
“Everywhere else, it’s called the first 40 days,” Jedkins explained. “In Asia, the husband, the family, everyone jumps in to help so mom can take care of herself first... If you get in a car wreck, you have to heal first to take care of your family. It’s the same with postpartum.”
Lisa Heim, CFO and co-founder of the Ruby Postnatal, said the retreat is part of a movement to normalize postpartum care.
“We want to be part of a movement in treating moms in their fourth trimester and making it part of the normal birthing experience,” Heim said. “The first six weeks are really hard... It’s nice to have some help.”
The Ruby Postnatal Resort is located inside the Omni Hotel near the Galleria. Pricing packages include:
- Offer 1: $1,050 per night for stays of 7 to 13 nights
- Offer 2: $950 per night for stays of 14 or more nights
- Offer 3: $1,175 per night for stays of 1 to 6 nights
The Ruby Postnatal Resort aims to give American mothers the care and rest they deserve during one of life’s most challenging transitions.
