We raise awareness about the beginning of life.
About us
As members of the ISPPM, we dedicate ourselves to the earliest phases of human life: conception, pregnancy, birth, early childhood – and their experience. Our aim is to sensitize,illuminate and to create awareness for the earliest stage of life – beginning with conception.
As members of the ISPPM, we dedicate ourselves to the earliest phases of human life: conception, pregnancy, birth, early childhood – and their experience. Our aim is to sensitize,illuminate and to create awareness for the earliest stage of life – beginning with conception.
These include midwives, doulas, doctors for gynecology and obstetrics as well as pediatric and adolescent medicine, psychologists, specialists in psychotherapy (for adults and children), sociologists, educators, educators in crèches and day care centers. Furthermore this knowledge is of great importane for cultural studies and health, family and social policy.
We disseminate important research findings, support our own studies, and take into account individual and cultural influences on child development.
Attend our conferences, explore our literature and networking resources – and learn more about getting involved and becoming a member.
Interdisciplinary. Holistic. Rooted in real life.
Our Philosophy
The ISPPM e.V. focuses on the earliest phase of human development – from before conception to after birth. This period is understood as the first ecological situation of the human being: in constant dialogue with the mother and her environment – physiologically, socially, and across generations.
Taking a holistic view, the ISPPM is committed to transcending the dualism of body and mind. This is also reflected in its interdisciplinary membership.
A link between psychology and medicine
The History of the Association
The International Study Group for Prenatal Psychology (ISPP) was founded in 1971 in Vienna at the initiative of Dr. Gustav Hans Graber.
A significant impulse came from psychoneuroendocrinology, which linked psychology and medicine and involved additional professional groups such as midwives, educators, and physicians.
In 1986, the organization was renamed ISPPM – International Society for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Medicine. International conferences and collaborations with professional associations in the USA and Italy helped bring prenatal psychology to global recognition.
In 2010, the organization was newly founded as a registered non-profit under German law.. It sees itself as an international association under the official name. International Society for Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and Medicine (ISPPM e.V.). The German translation is: Internationale Gesellschaft für Prä- und Perinatale Psychologie und Medizin.
Numerous research studies were published at the University of Salzburg up until 2002 and are accessible via the Psyndex database under the keyword “Prenatal Psychology.”
People who have shaped the ISPPM
Presidents
since 2022
Kola Brönner
Germany
2019–2022
Amara Eckert
Germany
Strengthening international networking
2016 – 2019
Paula Diederichs
Germany
Effects of birth culture on the experiences of women and children
2010 – 2016
Sven Hildebrandt
Germany
Paradigm shift in obstetrics towards a “relationship-oriented birth culture”
2005 – 2010
Rupert Linder
Germany
Integrating psychotherapeutic approaches with practical support for pregnant women in gynecological care
1995 – 2005
Ludwig Janus
Germany
Collection and structuring of the field of knowledge
1992 – 1995
Rudolf Klimek
Poland
Connection to international obstetrics and neonatology
1983 – 1992
Peter G. Fedor-Freybergh
Sweden
A link between medicine and psychology. The development of ISPPM into an international professional society.
1976 – 1983
Sepp Schindler
Austria
Promotion of empirical research in prenatal psychology and its connection to psychoanalysis
1971 — 1976
Gustav Hans Graber
Switzerland (Foundation of ISPP 1971)