
Frequently asked questions.
General
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Sanhu House is LA's premier postpartum retreat dedicated to prioritizing a mother's healing through radical rest. We blend ancient Korean sanhujori methodologies with modern, evidence-based practices to heal the mind, body, and spirit during the crucial months after birth. Our expert team of doulas, wellness practitioners, and caregivers provide world-class care either at our retreat location or in the comfort of your home. We offer comprehensive support including specialized postpartum nutrition, relaxation services, mindful moment sessions, and overnight care - all designed to help new mothers invest in their rest and embrace their recovery during this transformative journey into motherhood.
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The Sanhu House leadership team is composed of experienced mothers who are passionate about reimagining postpartum care in the United States. We believe every mother deserves access to thoughtful, healing support that promotes long-term well-being.
Our care team includes doulas, IBCLC lactation consultants, massage therapists, pelvic floor physical therapists, reiki practitioners, acupuncturists, craniosacral therapists, postpartum counselors, and infant care specialists. Each provider is a trained and certified professional who combines evidence-based practices with holistic care. Our doulas and infant care specialists also complete additional training in Sanhu House’s specialized care framework, inspired by the principles of sanhujori.
We also partner with a postpartum nutrition chef to ensure comprehensive nourishment support. As mothers ourselves, we understand the impact of feeling supported during this powerful transition and bring that care into every home and retreat. -
Sanhu House is a premium postpartum care experience, and we recognize that cost can be a consideration. While we are not currently in-network with insurance, many of our services may be eligible for reimbursement depending on your plan. We offer an Insurance Check service that reviews your postpartum benefits and provides a personalized action plan to help you access any available coverage. Our goal is to make postpartum care more accessible by helping families uncover and apply benefits they may not know they have.
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Sanhu-jori is a traditional Korean postpartum care practice rooted in the belief that the first 100 days after childbirth are crucial for a mother's long-term health and well-being. This ancient methodology emphasizes radical rest, warming foods, gentle movement, and comprehensive support to help mothers heal physically, mentally, and emotionally. Traditionally, new mothers receive dedicated care including nourishing meals, massage, herbal treatments, and assistance with daily tasks, allowing them to focus entirely on recovery and bonding with their baby. At Sanhu House, we honor these time-tested principles while integrating modern, evidence-based practices to create a transformative healing experience that prioritizes maternal wellness during this critical postpartum period.
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We recommend beginning your in-home retreat a few days after your hospital discharge, once you’ve had time to settle in with your immediate family. For the hotel retreat, many families choose to come directly from the hospital or within the first week postpartum to receive uninterrupted support during the most physically and emotionally demanding phase of recovery.
We welcome mothers with infants up to 12 weeks postpartum for our full retreat experience, and offer mother-only services up to one year postpartum. Every family’s needs are different, and we’ll work with you to find the timing that best supports your recovery, preferences, and lifestyle.
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Both the in-home and hotel retreats offer the same high standard of postpartum care, with expert support and wellness treatments included. The difference lies in the setting and structure.
The in-home retreat brings care directly to you, offering flexibility and personalization while you recover in your own space. It's ideal for families with other children at home, or for those who prefer the familiarity of their own environment.
The hotel retreat provides an all-inclusive experience in a private suite by the ocean. It’s designed to offer a full reset, free from the demands of home life, with everything prepared and handled for you. Many families choose this option when they want total focus on rest and recovery.
During your consultation, we’ll help you determine which setting best supports your healing, preferences, and lifestyle. -
For optimal recovery, we recommend 3 to 6 weeks of care. Research shows that the early postpartum period is the most critical time for establishing healthy recovery patterns, with the highest risk for mothers occurring in the first six weeks after birth. While full recovery can take up to two years, the support you receive in the early weeks can make a lasting impact.
Our minimum stay is 3 nights for hotel retreats and 4 days for in-home retreats. Many families experience meaningful benefits even from shorter stays. We understand that each family has different needs and budget considerations, and we’ll work with you to design a care plan that supports your healing while aligning with your circumstances.
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We recommend booking at least three months in advance to ensure availability and allow time for personalized preparation. While we can often accommodate shorter timelines, the closer you are to your desired start date, the more flexibility may be required in terms of scheduling and care team availability.
Final confirmation typically takes place 4 to 6 weeks before your delivery date. If you’re considering a retreat or in-home care, we encourage you to reach out early so we can begin planning the best experience for you. -
To begin the booking process, you’ll work with our concierge team to select your retreat type and preferred dates. A $500 deposit is required to initiate planning, which includes personalized care matching, scheduling, and retreat coordination. Full payment is collected prior to the start of your stay.
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Our cancellation policy is based on the timing of your payments rather than specific calendar dates. Once your $500 deposit is made, a $150 cancellation fee applies. When 50 percent payment is collected, typically 4 to 6 weeks before your start date, that portion becomes nonrefundable. Once full payment is made at the start of your retreat, no refunds are issued.
We understand that unexpected situations can arise, and exceptions are considered in cases of medical emergencies, miscarriage, or other significant events. -
We understand that delivery dates can shift, and we’ll work closely with you to adjust your retreat accordingly. For hotel stays, rescheduling will depend on suite availability. For in-home care, our teams are typically flexible within the week before and after your due date. If your delivery falls significantly outside of that window, we will do our best to adjust your schedule and care team to support your updated timeline.
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Yes, adoptive and surrogate mothers are warmly welcomed at Sanhu House. We are here to support every path to motherhood with care that honors your unique journey.
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Yes, we offer continued support in booking postpartum recovery services through our spa and nutrition partners. We’re also happy to connect you with trusted postnatal professionals, such as mental health providers and other specialists, based on your individual needs.
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Yes, we’re happy to recommend trusted postnatal professionals based on your specific needs and preferences.
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Your health and safety are our highest priorities. All Sanhu House staff undergo thorough background checks, safety training, and follow strict hygiene and care protocols to ensure a safe and secure environment throughout your experience.
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We take your privacy seriously and follow all HIPAA guidelines to ensure your health information is handled with care, discretion, and full confidentiality.
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Sanhu House and our Care Team providers are out-of-network for all insurance companies. However, we can provide a detailed superbill for non-medical postpartum and lactation services, which you may submit for potential insurance or HSA/FSA reimbursement.
If your benefits provider requires specific certifications—such as DONA, Carrot-approved, or others—we will do our best to match you with a team member who meets those requirements to help maximize your reimbursement.
For additional support, we offer a dedicated Insurance Check service. This includes a personalized review of your postpartum benefits and a one-page action plan outlining what is covered, and how to apply your benefits toward Sanhu House services. -
The Insurance Check is a $79 concierge service designed to help you understand and make the most of your postpartum insurance benefits. Our team will review your plan, assess coverage for up to three specific services—such as night nurse care, lactation visits, or meal stipends—and provide a personalized, one-page action plan with clear next steps for reimbursement.
Turnaround is 3 to 5 business days. If you choose to book with Sanhu House afterward, your $79 fee will be credited toward your care package. Many families uncover hundreds of dollars in potential reimbursements through this process. -
You may be eligible for reimbursement on services such as postpartum doula hours, lactation consultations, and educational support. Coverage varies by plan, so we recommend reaching out to your insurance provider for confirmation. Our Insurance Check service can also help you navigate and identify which benefits may apply to your care.
In Home Retreat
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We offer flexible and customizable in-home retreat packages tailored to your specific needs. Each package includes a combination of daytime and overnight shifts, providing around-the-clock support to ensure your postpartum recovery is as seamless and restful as possible. In addition to caregiving, our packages may include postpartum recovery massages and meal services designed to nurture and aid in your recovery.
Our concierge team will work closely with you to determine which package best suits your needs, whether you're looking for a short-term intensive recovery experience or extended care with a mix of daytime and overnight shifts.
Each package is carefully designed to meet different recovery needs and will be priced based on the number of hours and services included. Our concierge team will guide you through the details and help you choose the best option based on your preferences and your baby’s needs. -
Yes, as part of our matching process, you’ll be able to meet your assigned care providers virtually before your retreat begins. This helps ensure a sense of comfort and connection from the very start.
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We take great care in preparing for your in-home retreat, including a thoughtful matching process to align you with the most suitable care team based on your needs and preferences. While we aim to create the right fit from the start, we understand that dynamics can shift.
If any concerns arise, we are committed to addressing them promptly and will work with you to make adjustments as needed. While we cannot guarantee a perfect match, we’re here to support you every step of the way. -
Depending on the number of hours you’ve scheduled, a typical day includes dedicated doula care in your home. The day begins with check-ins focused on meal and feeding support, whether breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or formula feeding. You’ll also receive a personalized 30-minute Mindful Moment session on topics such as infant care or postpartum nutrition, along with two relaxation services like sitz baths and light massage. Your doula also supports baby care tracking, light cleaning, and a warming tea turndown service.
Whether your care begins in the morning or evening, our concierge team offers ongoing virtual support throughout the day and provides evening updates with doula notes, personalized schedules, and confirmed services. If you’ve arranged overnight care, your doula will also provide awake infant support to help you rest deeply. -
Technically, nothing is required. Sanhu House provides all essential care supplies and equipment for both you and your baby, including diapers, wipes, bath products, bottles, bottle sanitizer, sitz bath, lactation supplies, a perineal care kit, hot and cold packs, a bassinet, humidifier, sound machine, and specialized items like the Tomarion infrared heat therapy device. We arrive fully equipped so you can focus on rest and recovery.
That said, we understand many families purchase their own preferred products in advance. We are happy to work with those as well. During your prenatal consultation, we will review any specific preferences or special preparations to ensure your experience is tailored to your needs. -
Yes, we provide expert feeding support no matter how you choose to feed your baby. This begins with a prenatal lactation consultation with an IBCLC and continues throughout your stay with ongoing guidance tailored to both baby and mom.
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Yes, our concierge team is available to help you book additional services at any time. Sanhu House offers a comprehensive menu that includes massage, reiki healing, Chinese medicine, couples therapy, and more. Many of these services can also be scheduled after your retreat has ended. We do recommend booking in advance whenever possible to ensure your preferred dates and times are available.
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Yes, you can extend your services for additional days or weeks, depending on care team availability. If your original team is scheduled to begin care with another family, we will work closely with you to identify additional providers and ensure a smooth continuation of support.
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Yes, our concierge team is available to help you book additional services at any time, including after your retreat ends. We recommend scheduling in advance whenever possible to ensure your preferred date and time are available.
Hotel Retreat
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Sanhu House is based in Santa Monica, California, in partnership with the boutique oceanside hotel Oceana for our signature retreat experience. For those who prefer to recover at home, we also offer in-home services across the greater Los Angeles area.
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A typical day includes personalized care, nourishing meals, targeted relaxation, and wellness treatments, all designed to meet your needs in the moment. Your schedule remains flexible, with space for both deep rest and meaningful bonding.
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Yes, your infant will stay with you in your private suite during the hotel retreat, supporting bonding and comfort throughout your stay. If you would like dedicated rest time, our care team can care for your baby in the nearby Nursery suite while they sleep.
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Yes, your partner is welcome to stay with you in the suite. Our standard accommodations offer over 800 square feet of living space and a separate bedroom, providing plenty of room for a family of three. Upgrades are available for larger suites and ocean views.
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Throughout your stay, you’ll receive personalized guidance on feeding, newborn care, and postpartum healing. Our team offers thoughtful, tailored education to help you feel confident and supported. Each day includes a Doula Mindful Moment, where you choose the topic for a deeper, more focused conversation.
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Yes, we provide expert feeding support no matter how you choose to feed your baby. This begins with a prenatal lactation consultation with an IBCLC and continues throughout your stay with ongoing guidance tailored to both baby and mom.
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Sanhu House offers an extensive menu of spa services, including massage, reiki healing, acupuncture, and more. All services are available to schedule during your stay, supporting your relaxation and recovery on-site. We recommend booking in advance so we can reserve time with our expert practitioners ahead of your arrival.
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Yes, the suite and hotel offer serene spaces for gentle movement and stretching to support physical recovery and overall well-being. Our beachfront location also allows for light walks, if and when it feels supportive to your healing.
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Yes, meals are prepared to order each day by our postpartum chef and can be tailored to accommodate allergies or dietary restrictions. Simply share your needs with us in advance.
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Yes, partner meals can be added to your stay for an additional cost. We’re happy to support their comfort and nourishment alongside yours.
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Sanhu House provides complimentary laundry service for baby items, including burp cloths, linens, and onesies. For adult laundry, the hotel offers a paid service that can be requested directly through their team.
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Family members and friends can visit you at the retreat, but we ask that you ensure a restful environment during your stay.
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Yes, you are welcome to attend a retreat without your infant if you’re seeking rest and recovery later in your postpartum journey.
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We recommend bringing personal items such as clothing, toiletries, and anything that brings you comfort. While we provide most essentials for both mother and baby, you’re welcome to bring any specific products you prefer to use. During the booking process, we’ll share a detailed list of what’s included for your review.
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We offer valet parking at the hotel for guests arriving by car. Our concierge team can assist with car service options.
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The hotel maintains a no-smoking policy and does allow pets for an additional fee. However, Sanhu House recommends not bringing pets, as they may disrupt the recovery experience. Please reach out to us for further details.