After struggling through three rounds of IVF and enduring the heartbreak of infertility, Santa Monica resident Julia Grace Kim finally became pregnant. However, the joy of new pregnancy was soon replaced by shock at the lack of postpartum care available in the US—particularly in comparison to the model she grew up witnessing in Korea. “My aunt was the director of infant care at one of South Korea’s largest postpartum centers,” recalls Kim, whose husband, Jay Desai, is a longtime entrepreneur in the tech healthcare space and the current CEO of Bamboo Health. “She introduced me to the concept of ‘sanju-jori’—a tradition so ingrained in Korean culture that over 80% of new mothers rely on these care centers for their recovery. In stark contrast, fewer than half of American mothers even attend their post-birth medical check-ups. That disparity struck me.”
Determined to make a change, Kim set out to create Sanhu House—Los Angeles’ first luxury postpartum retreat inspired by the global traditions of maternal care. She found an ideal location at the Hotel Oceana—where guests could relax in their own spacious private suites overlooking the ocean in Santa Monica—and compiled an expert crew to provide around-the-clock doula care for mother and baby, gourmet nourishing meals, lactation consultation, emotional and mental recovery (Reiki, Chinese herbal medicine, therapy, couples counseling and more) and relaxation services such as massages, sitz baths, belly binding, sound baths and reflexology.
“In a city where career demands and social pressures often minimize the importance of postpartum recovery, we’re creating a sanctuary where healing is prioritized,” Kim says of the groundbreaking retreat, which launched in March 2024 and is meant for new moms immediately after delivery or anytime within the first 12 weeks (although most clients visit straight from the hospital, some moms come in after a month or two, when they find themselves in need of a break). “It’s an intentional space and community where the mother herself—not just her baby—is the focus. Sanhu House exists to provide a space where new mothers aren’t just surviving, but truly healing, emotionally and physically.”
Ironically, Kim became Sanhu House’s first patient. “I launched the same week I delivered my daughter, believing I could balance both—giving mothers the rest and care they deserved while running a company designed to provide it,” she recalls. Life had other plans: Kim’s baby was rushed to the NICU, her own recovery was riddled with complications and she sank into postpartum depression. Within days at her own retreat, the transformation was undeniable: specialized massages to reduce swelling, lactation experts to help feed her baby, nourishing meals to rebuild her strength and doulas to give her the sleep she so desperately needed. “Our flagship retreat at the Oceana became my own sanctuary during my postpartum journey,” she recalls. “What makes it extraordinary isn’t just the physical space—it’s the way the environment enhances healing. The gentle rhythm of the ocean, the fresh coastal air, the quiet luxury—it all creates an atmosphere where mothers can truly exhale, both physically and emotionally.” The experience also solidified her belief that postpartum care is a necessity that every mother deserves.
Now, one year after launching, Kim is expanding Sanhu House to include in-depth at-home care, as well. “We launched our at-home program after recognizing a simple truth: while our Oceana retreat offers an immersive healing environment, the most comfortable place for many mothers is their own home,” says Kim, adding that for some women, cultural traditions center around home recovery, and for others, logistical challenges or siblings make leaving with a newborn impractical. “The decision to expand was driven by our core belief that quality postpartum care should be accessible to every mother, regardless of circumstances or preferences. We want to ensure that mothers don’t have to choose between staying home and receiving professional support.”
The at-home program has thoughtfully translated Sanhu House’s comprehensive care model into a flexible service that adapts to clients’ environments, budgets and preferences. Each session begins with an initial consultation to understand one’s space, support system and recovery goals, before putting together a detailed plan. There is also an option to pair on-site and at-home care, ensuring a smooth transition and true continuity. “What sets our program apart is the seamless coordination,” Kim says. “Instead of fragmented care, where you’re juggling different providers, our team works together, ensuring every aspect of your healing is addressed cohesively.” Sanhu House has also launched “Day of Sanhu,” an eight-hour gifting experience that includes a Sanhu-trained doula care for mom and baby, lactation planning and support and additional postpartum massage add-ons. Think of it as a modern-day meal train for the westside set.
“No matter your desires, our goal is simple,” Kim explains. “To eliminate the stress of postpartum logistics so that you can focus entirely on what matters—your healing, your baby and your transition into motherhood.”
For more information about Sanhu House and its offerings, call 310-421-8335 or visit sanhuhouse.com. Use code "BRENTWOOD10" for 10% off your first service.
"Sanhu House exists to provide a space where new mothers aren’t just surviving, but truly healing, emotionally and physically."
“What makes it extraordinary isn’t just the physical space—it’s the way the environment enhances healing."