yblive Summer 2009, Ready, Steady, Grow
Baby on the way! Find out all you need to know at the Ballymun Ante-natal group
The HSE Primary Care Team has provided an ante-natal service in Ballymun for over two years. The five week programme is currently running successfully three times a year; in January, May and September. It has the support of local GP’s, local hospitals, the Community Mother’s programme and youngballymun. From September 2009 it will become a strand of the youngballymun Ready, Steady, Grow service. Being part of the new service means that supports for families from pregnancy right through to pre-school will be working much more closely together and will be more widely and proactively promoted.
Each antenatal group is coordinated by PHN Angela O’Malley and caters for about ten expectant mothers. There is active group-based discussion on themes relating to pregnancy and all kinds of questions about becoming a new parent are encouraged. Each session has a specific topic and is facilitated by a practitioner in that field, for example a physiotherapist, a dietician, a breastfeeding specialist and a psychologist depending on the various groups’ interests and needs. The group offers the opportunity to meet other expectant mothers from Ballymun and to get support from each other as well.
During the first three sessions there are tips and advice on ways to stay well during pregnancy, labour and when looking after a new baby. Birth partners are encouraged to attend all sessions, but the fifth and final session is specifically aimed at the important role they have in providing supports during labour and with the new baby. During this session the birth partners also get a chance to discuss their own concerns among themselves. Refreshments will be provided at each session.
Attending an antenatal group is an important starting point for expectant parents, and everyone is welcome. The next Ballymun antenatal group starts on the Tuesday 8th Sept 2009 and will run for five consecutive Tuesdays from 10.30 till 12.30pm until the 6th October 2009. For further information or to book a place on the next group contact Carmel Byrne, Administrator at 883 2186 or carmel@youngballymun.org
