An international study-organisation for prenatal psychology (ISPP) was founded on the initiative of Dr. Gustav Graber (+) on the 26.07.1971 in Vienna, based on the psychoanalysis-orientated [OR psychoanalytic] thinking of prenatal psychology (Graber, Caruso, Kruse). Integration of the theoretical and methodological models of developmental psychology (Schindler) and Embryology (Blechschmidt) helped to explore the field even further. Psychoneuroendocrinology of pregnancy and birth (Fedor-Freybergh) proved to be the decisive link between Psychology and Medicine. Thus Gynaecologists, Neonatologists, Pediatricians and Endocrinologists approached the ISPP. In connection with the establishment of primary-preventive concepts, the ISPP opened up towards practical professions such as midwives, social padagoges, special needs padagogues and adult education teachers.
This development led in 1986 to the expansion of the name to the internationale Studiengemeinschaft für Prä- und Perinatale Psychologie und Medizin (ISPPM).
In 2010 a new foundation of the Society was established as a nonprofit foundation in German law. It aims at establishing a common unification of mainly European prenatal associations. The official name now is the english version: International Society for Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and Medicine (ISPPM e.V.), in the German translation: „Internationale Gesellschaft für prä- und perinatale Psychologie und Medizin“. In the time-span between 1971 and now a unique archive has been established, revealing the significance of the specific circumstances of our life’s beginning as a basis of our human understanding.
Presidents:
1971 – 1976 Hans Gustav Graber, Berne, Switzerland: Foundation of ISPPM 1971 creation of the scientific basis of prenatal psychology
1976 – 1983 Sepp Schindler, Salzburg, Austria
1983 – 1992 Peter G. Fedor–Freybergh, Stockholm, Sweden: a link between medicine and psychologyformation ISPPM to a large international trade company
1992 – 1995 Rudolf Klimek, Krakow, Poland
1995 – 2005 Ludwig Janus, Heidelberg, Germany: collection and structuring of the knowledge area
2005 – 2010 Rupert Linder, Birkenfeld, Germany: connection psychotherapeutic approaches with practical monitoring of pregnant women
Since 2010, Sven Hildebrandt, Dresden, Germany: paradigm shift in obstetrics to a relationship-led birth culture
