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1 CORK BRANCH NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2015
www.cuidiucork.net
Cork Branch Newsletter June – Sept 2015 Irish Childbirth Trust Registered Charity No: 10752
Cuidiú Cork Committee
Secretary Rebecca Boyd
Membership Secretary Rachel O’Regan
Newsletter Editors
Amy Vickers & Niamh Ring
Treasurer Sinead O’Donovan
Events & PR Trish Kinane, Laura
O’Keefe, Lorraine Bollard
Cuidiú Library Ria Halleran
Antenatal reps Amy Vickers & Aoife
Wall [email protected]
Swimming
Biz Cloutier / Eveline Poppe
Social Media
Mandi Jackson
Website Fiona Collins
Parent2parent supporter
Loretta Kennedy
City Coffee morning
Laura O’Keefe 0851503726
East Cork Coffee morning
Rose Fitzgerald 0863721526
Breastfeeding Reps
Caz Koopman & Vanessa O’Sullivan
Ordinary members:
Maeve Murray, Madhu Singh Panda,
Renee Cutaia, Kayte Coombes,
Tatiana Aich Deage
Join our committee? Email Rebecca
Committee meetings are held on 2nd
Monday every month at 8.30pm
Cuidiu Week Special Edition: Welcome to Cuidiu Cork
Summer is here and so far it’s
been a bit wet and cold. Let’s
hope that it warms up soon so
that we can enjoy lots of
outdoor time with our little
ones.
My kids have been cooped up
indoors too much this winter,
becoming movie and gadget
addicts, so I can’t wait for them to get out on their bikes again,
and take them to playgrounds and beaches so they can exercise
their little bodies again.
If you're coming across Cuidiú Cork for the first time, welcome.
We hope to see you at one of our events soon to get an idea of
what Cuidiú is all about. This special edition of our quarterly
newsletter aims to showcase what we do in Cork. We hope it
gives you a good introduction to Cuidiú and all of our wide-
ranging and welcoming groups run by volunteers all around the
county. We've got an ever-growing list of Cuidiú groups on page
6, and a new breastfeeding support group starting in Cobh soon.
We’re also starting a new antenatal class in Midleton soon.
In other news, it seems there is a bit of twins boom in Cork at
the moment, judging by the Birth Notices on page 2.
Also, here’s a date for the diary: Cuidiú Cork Annual Summer
Picnic. Sunday 26 July, from noon, Fota House gardens, at the
top of the grass, near the steps. Bring your family and your
picnic and meet other families from the area.
For more information on all our events, check out our newly
redesigned website at http://cuidiucork.net and join our
Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/CuidiuCork.
*************************************************** To advertise in Cuidiú Cork’s newsletter, contact Amy Vickers [email protected] Quarter Page,
Single edition: €25
Quarter Page, Annual (4 issues): €90
Half Page, Single Edition: €45 Half Page, Annual: €160
**Members get 10% advertising discount**
2 CORK BRANCH NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2015
www.cuidiucork.net
Cuidiú Cork News and Events New Breastfeeding Group in Cobh
Cuidiú is launching a new breastfeeding group in Cobh on Monday
July 6, and then on every first Monday of the month. The group
will be run by Caz Koopman and Vanessa Cole O’Sullivan. For
more details contact the East Cork Breastfeeding Support phone
number 0873857904, or log onto
https://www.facebook.com/cuidiubreastfeedingcork
BIRTH NOTICES Welcome Caitlin Sara Marian born March 10, weighing 5lb,
4.5oz. Mama Ulrika, Papa Cian and proud big brother Evan
are delighted with her.
Congratulations Catherine and John Crossan who welcomed
Robert James Crossan on May 4. Much excitement for our
2.5 year old daughter Molly – we are all besotted!
Welcome Tara Grace Kelly, born February 25, to Fiona &
Alan Kelly, weighing 6lbs 11.5oz.
Pam and Declan Kennedy and big brother and sisters Cian,
Ella & Ruby welcomed twins Lana and
Finn to the family on May 9.
Alexie Ui Laoghaire and Peadar, along with
proud big brothers Jack and Ciarán,
welcomed twins Tadhg and Fionn on
February 26, weighing 5lb15 and 5lb12.
Welcome Robyn Walsh, born February
21, 6lb 6oz. Little sister to proud Martha
and parents Fiona and Tony.
And Robyn and Darren Allen, and big sister
Xanthe, welcomed twins Max and Beatrice weighing 5lb15 and 5lb14 on March
12. Congratulations everyone.
Easter Egg Hunt We had a great
Chocolate-fuelled
morning over Easter
at the annual Easter
Egg Hunt. We tried a
new venue: the
Glounthaune
Community Centre.
The kids loved it and
the playground was
great for running off
all the chocolate!
Thanks to everyone
for coming and to
Rose Fitzgerald for
organising it, and all
the helpers on the
day.
Fermoy Mitchelstown Are you interested in starting a
coffee morning group around
Fermoy, Rathcormac and
Mitchelstown? We have a few
members around there so we’re
thinking of starting a group possibly
once a month. If you’re interested,
email: [email protected]
Tadhg and Fionn
Anyone know the feeling?!
Robert
Caitlin Tara
SUMMER 2015 CORK BRANCH NEWSLETTER 3
www.cuidiucork.net
By Ria Halleran
The summer is a time to make happy childhood memories that will
last a lifetime! Special moments do not have to be elaborate or
extravagant. Anytime you are focusing completely on your child, and everyone’s having fun,
mean the world to children. By throwing a little bit of creativity and fun into our days, all these
ideas become achievable. I hope you and your family have a great summer!
Let them climb trees, and rescue them when they get stuck
Go to their teddy bear tea parties
Go barefoot in the grass, and stop to make daisy chains
Turn off the television, computer, mobile
Build an indoor /outdoor fort
Scare away the monsters at bedtime
Sing in the car
Dance in the rain
Lie in the grass and spot shapes in the clouds
Plant something together and watch it grow
Play dress up
Cook dinner together
Go to a farmer’s market
Play twister
Make paper aeroplanes and have a fly off
Do bear hugs, butterfly kisses, and Eskimo kisses
Go camping, even if it is only in your back garden
Fly a kite
Go to a zoo
Go to the movies and share a giant bucket of popcorn
Play rock-scissors-paper
Grab a stick for a sword and go slay some dragons
Work on puzzles together that take weeks to finish
Make ice lollies and sit outside in sunshine to enjoy them
Build a birdhouse together and let them paint it all the colours of the rainbow
Read fairy tales
Take a ride on a train
Sit in the porch and wave at passing cars
Paddle in a stream and use stepping stones to cross it
Give them piggyback rides to bed
Go to the beach and make sand castles, and sand angels
Make macaroni art together, and wear the macaroni necklace they make
Have a barbeque or cook dinner on a campfire
Go fishing with real worms
Listen to their endless stories
Give them a piece of wood, some nails and a hammer, and see how careful they can be
Tie a towel into a cape and play superheroes
Make up a secret handshake
Get some pavement chalk, and play hop scotch
Get out the garden hose, get some water bombs, and have fun with water
Have regular picnics, indoors and outdoors
Throw a disco and dance in your living room This list was inspired by the ‘Bucket List for a Happy Childhood’, in the book ‘Two thousand Kisses a Day; Gentle
Parenting through the ages and stages’ by L.R. Knost. Available to borrow from the Cuidiu Cork library
Stitch &
Chat…..or
something
like that!
Stitch and Chat is a
mother-led, work alongside
group which is held in a
Cuidiú member’s house
each fortnight. All moms
and children are welcome.
Bring along your project, be
it knitting or sewing to this
free event and enjoy a
cuppa and a chat while you
create your masterpiece!
At present there is a
morning group held in East
Cork each fortnight.
Contact Ria Halleran
0876478889
https://www.facebook.com/gr
oups/373400906133135/
If anyone is interested in
setting up a city group
please contact the Cuidiú
committee.
Never fear spoiling
children by making
them too happy.
Happiness is the
atmosphere in
which all good
affections grow. -
Thomas Bray
4 CORK BRANCH NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2015
www.cuidiucork.net
Slings Away! Baby wearing is becoming an increasingly popular practice
in Ireland but many new parents can find themselves lost
when it comes to choosing the best carrier for their baby.
There are a number of benefits to carrying your baby close.
In the wearing of newborns in particular, oxytocin levels are
increased through physical contact with the baby, leading to
a more intimate bonds, easier breastfeeding and better
care, thus lowering the incidence of postnatal depression.
Fathers experience similar benefits also in the development
of the paternal bond. Although some Dads are initially
reluctant to try baby wearing many Mums have found themselves competing with
Dad to be the one to carry baby once Dad has found his baby
wearing mojo! Babies who are carried/worn are generally calmer
because all of their primal/survival needs are met. Mum or Dad
(or whoever the lucky wearer is!) can be seen, heard, smelled
and touched. The rhythm of being carried (walking, heartbeat,
etc.) has a balancing and soothing effect on babies and infants
are "humanised" earlier by developing socially. Since babies are
closer to people and can study facial expressions they learn
languages faster and are familiar with body language from an
early age. Contrary to a belief that baby wearing will lead to a
“clingy” child, studies have found that the attachment between
child and caregiver is more secure and children more
independence if carried regularly.
The variety of slings and baby carriers on offer is extensive and
can be overwhelming. From SSCs to stretchies, woven wraps to mei teis and
beyond, choosing a carrier that will suit your lifestyle can be a daunting prospect.
Enlisting the help of a baby wearing consultant will provide you with the opportunity
to try out a number of different slings and carriers before buying. A good consultant
will also be able to advise you how to fasten your carrier correctly to ensure
maximum comfort and avoid shoulder and back pain from incorrect positioning.
Nicola McPherson is a proud mammy to Molly and Catelyn and lives in Midleton. She is a
Trageschule qualified baby wearing consultant and is passionate about encouraging the
practise of baby wearing.
I first started carrying Molly in a stretchy wrap when she was 6 weeks old. I had seen women
at Cuidiú coffee mornings with baby carriers and they instantly appealed to me. I loved how
they could have their coffee and chat with their babies asleep, snuggled close to them, without
the danger of being knocked over by energetic toddlers! A whole new world opened up to me.
When Molly was 6 months old I purchased a full-buckle SSC (soft structured carrier). I was
convinced this was the only carrier I would ever need. However my curiosity was piqued and I
wanted to try the other types of carriers available, and see what suited me the best. I tried
lots of different types of carriers and fell in love with woven wraps. For me, the comfort was
unparalleled to any other carrier. My husband also loves to wrap the girls. We often squabble
over who gets to carry which baby!
There are many reasons to carry your baby. It’s very
practical not having to fill the boot of the car with a
buggy. It’s easier to get around crowded streets and
go for walks on cliffs and beaches. Babies love to be
close, snuggled up to their caregiver. It is a great way
to bond with your baby and can also help reduce the
incidence of postnatal depression. Wearing your baby
in a sling can help with reflux. It’s also extremely
useful to have your baby in a carrier when you’re
trying to keep up with an energetic toddler! I set up a
baby wearing consultancy to help others to choose a
baby carrier that suits their lifestyle. There are so many different types of carriers to choose
from, and it can be overwhelming when you first search to see what’s available. I offer
individual and group consultations and I have started hosting regular sling meets in East Cork
also. At sling meets you can try on different carriers, meet with other like-minded parents,
and have a chat and a cuppa. I absolutely love to carry my girls. It is the parenting choice that
I am happiest to have discovered and I can’t imagine life without my slings.
Seahorse
Slings
Baby Wearing
Consultant
Find a baby
carrier that suits
you and your
lifestyle
Individual and
Group
Consultations
Sling Demos
Regular Sling Meets
in East Cork
Like SEAHORSE
SLINGS on
Cuidiú members special
rate for May/June:
Individual Consultation
€25* Quote Code
CUIDIU15MJ
*Regular price for
Individual Consultation
€30
Nicola McPherson
086 4056119 [email protected]
www.seahorseslings.com
SUMMER 2015 CORK BRANCH NEWSLETTER 5
www.cuidiucork.net
Cuidiú Week May 25 – 29, 2015
Cuidiú means “Caring Support” in Irish. Also known as the Irish Childbirth Trust, we are a
voluntary parent-to-parent support charity focused on information, education and support.
We hope to encourage a confident, positive approach to parenting, particularly during the
early years.
If you want to see what Cuidiú is all about before committing to becoming a member, please
come along to one or more of the events we’ve organised for Cuidiú Week, an annual
nationwide promotional week of daily events to show new parents what we’re all about
across Ireland.
Here’s a summary of the FREE events we’ve got going on in Cork from May 25th to 29th:
All events will be confirmed in advance on the FB group page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/CuidiuCork
General email contact for all queries is [email protected]
Monday 25th May
Bumps & Babes Meeting - Midleton Market Green Centre, Midleton
Come along for a cuppa and a chat with other mums-to-be and new mums.
Organised by Aoife Wall 0879551989
Cuidiú Connect Night – Douglas from 8:30 PM
A chance to get out of the house and get together with other parents for the evening.
Sinead Walsh is a behavioural analyst and will have a Q&A session, focusing on sleep issues.
Hosted by Fiona Collins: 0868474301
Tuesday 26th May
City Coffee Morning –Special Toddler Sports Day event
Our weekly coffee morning with a twist – a morning of toddler games to entertain the little
ones. 10.30am-12.30
Hosted by Rebecca Boyd 0872830273
6 CORK BRANCH NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2015
www.cuidiucork.net
Breastfeeding Meeting – Mallow
Monthly breastfeeding support meeting in Mallow, open to all mums, and mums-to-be, with
trained breastfeeding counsellors to advise you on baby’s feeding.
0864080051
Wednesday 27th May
Information Stand CUMH
Information morning in CUMH to promote all our events and support services to prospective
parents.
Coordinator Laura O’Keefe
Stitch and Chat – Midleton
Knitting, sewing, chatting & tea - every fortnight. Bring a project or just bring yourself and
your babies!
Contact Ria Halleran 0876478889
https://www.facebook.com/groups/373400906133135
Thursday 28th May
East Cork Coffee Morning
Our weekly coffee morning with a twist – Story, Song & Rhythm Session to entertain the
kids while you enjoy a cuppa.
Max capacity 20 adults. Rose Fitzgerald 0863721526
Venue: Glounthaune Community Centre 10.30am-12.30
Breastfeeding Meeting – Blackpool
Monthly breastfeeding support meeting in Blackpool, open to all mums, and mums-to-be,
with trained breastfeeding counsellors to advise you on baby’s feeding.
Nicole Stepan Bogue 0863152766
City Book Club Meeting TBC Join our monthly book club evening in the city.
Reading The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
Contact [email protected]
Friday 29th May
Breastfeeding Support Group - Midleton Evangelical Church Hall, Midleton
Monthly breastfeeding support meeting in Midleton, open to all mums, and mums-to-be,
with trained breastfeeding counsellors to advise you on baby’s feeding.
Sarah Loughnane & Ria Halleran 0872193486
Parents Night Out - TBC - Friday night
Somewhere in the city, without kids!
Book a babysitter and come along for a couple of hours of craic and chat, venue tbc.
SUMMER 2015 CORK BRANCH NEWSLETTER 7
www.cuidiucork.net
Cuidiú Coffee Mornings
East Cork
Thursdays 10.30-12.30am Co-ordinator Rose Fitzgerald 0863721526
Please call or text the host the night before so we have an idea of numbers. If the host is very
busy, it would be a nice gesture for a regular attendee to give a warm welcome to a newcomer. It can be
very intimidating going to a coffee morning for the first time, especially when you’ve just had your first
baby. Please introduce new people to the group.
No need to bring cakes, but please ensure you fill in the attendance sheet and pay the subscription of
€1.50 for members, €2.50 non-members to cover insurance. Sign in sheets are vital for insurance
purposes. For those hosting, please print off the Attendance Sheet from www.cuidiucork.net and remind
everyone to sign and pay. Hosts must be members. Soft Play venue: second Thurs of month at Go
Safari, Carrigtohill, €4.50 per child (under 1s free) with free milk and cookies as part of "Milk and cookie
Thursday". In case of any accidents, please fill out this form:
http://cuidiucork.net/images/uploads/sign_in_sheets/accident_report_form.pdf
Date Location Tel
4th June Nicola McPherson 086 4056119
11th June Ria Halleran 087 6478889
18th June Kayte Coombes 087 1690009
26th June Go Safari 021 4389222
2nd July Maeve O’Leary
9th July Go Safari 021 4389222
16th July Renee Cutaia 087 6938068
23rd July Miroslawa 085 7633115
30th July Lorraine Bollard 086 3030705
6th August Rose Fitzgerald 086 3721526
13th August Go Safari 021 4389222
20st August Orla Glavey 086 8324754
27th August Laura O’Donovan 085 8582671
North Cork Area - Mitchelstown & Mallow North Cork hosts coffee mornings on the 1st Saturday of each month in members’ homes, see:
https://www.facebook.com/cuidiu.northcork
North Cork City is run by Nicole Stepan Bogue on 0863152766. They meet in Blackpool on the last Thurs of
every month from 10 to 12.
Cork City WEEKEND CLUB
This is a coffee (or tea) afternoon for mums who work and can’t get to weekday meet-ups. Sometimes you can’t
make coffee morning in the week but would still like to socialise with Cuidiú, so we invented the Weekend Club.
Please contact the host if you would like to come. Bigger kids are very welcome.
Date Location Tel:
23 May Aoife Bhreathnach, Douglas 086 8637514
20 June Veronique Druesne 087 9761668
29 August Jo Goodyear 085 7276738
8 CORK BRANCH NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2015
www.cuidiucork.net
Cork City Coffee Morning
Tuesdays 10.30-12.30
Co-ordinator Laura O’Keefe 0851503726
For those who prefer a public venue to people’s homes, come and meet us in
Marks & Spencer’s, Douglas. We meet here on the 1st Tues of every month.
Coffee mornings are charged at €1.50 for members, €2.50 non-members to cover
indemnity insurance. If the host is very busy, please help new people feel welcome.
Attendees are under no obligation to host.
Date Location: Tel:
26th May Cuidiu Week - hold in Marks & Spencer, Douglas 0851503726
2nd June Big Coffee Morning, Marks & Spencer, Douglas 0851503726
9th June Emma Jones Lynn, Blackpool 0833117003
16th June Judi McCarthy, Donnybrook 0862323662
23rd June Tatiana Deage, Tower 0858316718
30th June Rebecca Boyd, Douglas 0872830273
7th July Big Coffee Morning, Marks & Spencer, Douglas 0851503726
14th July Deirdre Stewart, Carrigaline 0831079056
21st July Rebecca Boyd, Douglas 0872830273
28th July Aoife O'Donovan 0863532851
4th August Big Coffee Morning, Marks & Spencer, Douglas 0851503726
11th August TBC TBC
BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT Cuidiú has a large number of volunteer breastfeeding
counsellors happy to help with all your queries.
Name Email address Mobile
Aileen McDermott, [email protected] 0868248513
Annette Walsh [email protected] 0879603642
Catherine Harris [email protected]
Caz Koopman [email protected] 0876556646
Elaine Martin [email protected] 0864080051
Emily Dennhardt [email protected]
Julie Ni Chomhraí [email protected] 0868292652
Mary Tighe [email protected] 0876292577
Nicole Stepan Bogue [email protected] 0863152766
Maeve Murray [email protected] 0879819276
Pam Kennedy [email protected] 0874004525
Sarah Loughnane [email protected] 0872193486
Vanessa O’Sullivan [email protected]
0862117904
Note: the general number for all of East Cork (Glounthaune, Glanmire, Cobh and Midleton is 0873857904). Cuidiú BFC are
volunteers, so they may not be able to answer the phone at times that they are busy with their own families. If you do not get an answer please move on to the next person on the list.
SUMMER 2015 CORK BRANCH NEWSLETTER 9
www.cuidiucork.net
Find a Cuidiú Support Group in CorkAt Cuidiú Cork we have a volunteer team of breastfeeding supporters scattered across Cork happy to help you
succeed in breastfeeding your baby. In addition, we host regular Coffee Mornings, craft groups, a swimming
session, weekend meet ups, book clubs and other events. Here’s the definitive list of what we offer:
ANTENATAL
We have a new page for
Antenatal Education in Cork:
www.facebook.com/CuidiuCor
kAntenatalEducation
Cuidiú Antenatal classes
Geraldine Cahill: 0878187240
http://www.antenataleducatio
ncork.com
Cuidiú TotallyBirth
Amy Vickers, Aoife Wall & Vicki
Murphy
0851406321
https://www.facebook.com/gr
oups/TotallyBirth
BREASTFEEDING
Blackpool Breastfeeding Support Group.
Last Thurs of every month at the Commons Inn,
Blackpool, from 10-12. Contact Nicole Stepan Bogue
on 0863152766.
https://www.facebook.com/cuidiu.northcork
Ballincollig Breastfeeding peer-to-peer
Contact Aideen Ní Chéilleachair for more details on
0874180499
https://www.facebook.com/groups/breastfeedi
ngballincollig
Cobh Breastfeeding Support Group
First Monday of the month from 10.30-12.30 at Robin
Hill Clinic, Cobh. Caz 0873857904
Kinsale Breastfeeding Support Group
Third Wednesday of the month from 10-12 at Actons
Hotel, Kinsale. Contact Annette Walsh 0879603642
www.facebook.com/KinsaleCuidiuMothersGroup
Mallow Breastfeeding Support Group
Every Tuesday in the Gallery, Mallow, from 10-11:30,
all welcome. Contact Elaine Martin on 0864080051.
https://www.facebook.com/cuidiu.northcork
Midleton Breastfeeding Support Group
Third Friday of the month in Evangelical Church Hall,
Midleton, from 10.30am. Contact Sarah Loughnane
087 219 3486, Mary Tighe or Ria Halleran.
https://www.facebook.com/cuidiubreastfeedingcork
Glounthane Breastfeeding Support Group
Second Saturday each month. 10.30 - 12.30. Glounthaune Community Centre
Contact Maeve Murray or Nicole Stepan Bogue
on 0863152766.
https://www.facebook.com/cuidiuglanmire
SOCIAL SUPPORT
City Coffee Morning
Tuesdays, 10.30-12.30. 1st Tuesday of the
month in Marks & Spencer’s café Douglas,
hosted in members’ houses for the rest of the
month. Co-ordinator Laura O’Keefe
0851503726
East Cork Coffee Morning
Thursdays, 10.30-12.30. 2nd Thursday of the
month in Go Safari, Carigtohill, hosted in
member’s houses for the rest of the month.
Co-ordinator Rose Fitzgerald 0863721526
Weekend City Tea Afternoons
3rd Saturday of the month, member’s houses. More
info Aoife Bhreatnach 0868637514
Cuidiú West Cork Coffee Morning
Last Saturday of the month at 10:30 in St Joseph's,
Skibbereen. Contact Rachel O Regan: 086 317 8210
Cuidiú North Cork Coffee Morning
https://www.facebook.com/cuidiu.northcork
Cuidiú City Book Club
Emma Jones Lynn on [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/groups/815903451762708
Craft Morning: Stitch & Chat
Knitting, sewing, chatting & tea - every fortnight.
Bring a project or just bring yourself and your babies.
10.30am in City and East Cork houses.
For more details, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/373400906133135
Cuidiú Swimming
Saturdays in the Lavanagh centre, Blackrock, contact
Eveline Poppe or Biz 0871690009
10 CORK BRANCH NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2015
www.cuidiucork.net
The Best Advert for Natural Birth By Amy Vickers
How does she do it? She makes childbirth look easy - even down to the light coloured dress, tan
tights and high heels worn less than 10 hours after pushing out a baby.
If there ever was an advert for natural birth, Kate Middleton is it. She glowed, smiled and looked
relaxed whilst holding her brand new baby in her arms just hours after giving birth.
How come she didn't look tired in the slightest? After any one of my labours I was puffy faced, tired
eyed, unable to walk, hair lifeless and with a haunted look of
having just run a marathon about me.
For Kate, I reckon it’s because of all the support she got
during pregnancy, labour and her positive attitude to birth.
After her 1st birth she apparently told friends about her
'perfect, natural birth’ and it was suggested that she had
used hypnobirthing (positive affirmations and deep
relaxations).
Media reports have suggested that Kate had a natural birth,
which means no epidural, no doctors - just two strong,
independent midwives tuning into the needs of a woman and
her body. How else could she feel capable enough to
transfer home so soon after giving birth?
If I had to guess, she laboured at home as long as possible
– supported by her midwives - then moved to hospital when
she was around 5cm and labour was fully established. That
way the adrenaline of going into hospital didn’t stall the
labour. Once ready to push, all that the midwives had to do
then was catch the Royal baby. It is even believed she gave
birth upright, much like her late mother-in-law Diana (as
revealed by Sheila Kitzinger in A Passion For Birth), co-
incidentally in the same London hospital.
It just goes to show that all you need is good preparation
and a midwife. Oh and if you’re a princess, perhaps a
hairdresser!
Kate enlisted midwife Arona Ahmed and Professor of
Midwifery at Imperial College, Jacqui Dunkley-Bent, to be by her side. They were the same midwives
who assisted in the birth of Prince George and probably among the most qualified and well-respected
midwives in the UK.
Evidence from many studies show that women are more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births if
they receive continuous support (ie, someone who never leaves your side) during labour, and less
likely to have any pain medication, epidurals, negative
feelings about childbirth, vacuum/forceps-assisted
births, or caesarean births. In addition, their labours
are shorter by about 40 minutes and their babies were
less likely to have low Apgar scores at birth (repeat
tests for heart rate, respiratory, muscle tone, skin
colour and response to a catheter in the nostril).
But apart from having good support, Kate is also said to
have educated herself well about giving birth and
written out a full birth plan of her preferences for a
hands-off labour. This means that she controlled the birth herself, and knew instinctively what to do.
Education about birth gives you power and leads to less medical interventions it gives you the
confidence to say “I need more time” or “I do not consent to that”. These two simple phrases often
The Royal Midwives
SUMMER 2015 CORK BRANCH NEWSLETTER 11
www.cuidiucork.net
mean that caregivers leave you to find your own groove during birth which helps you to feel more in
control of the situation.
The cornerstone of Cuidiú antenatal classes is informed decision making, which encourages people to
become informed, ask questions, and then make their own decisions, even if this is contrary to
hospital policy on inductions and interventions.
We use an acronym tool called BRAIN (see box) as a way of empowering women to have a voice in
labouring suites when hospital policy puts them on the clock to dilate by 1cm every hour. If their
body doesn’t comply with this extremely fast
rate of progress, they are given the damaging
label of ‘failure to progress’, which can often
lead to a traumatic use of forceps or c-birth.
In our classes we encourage women to
participate in decision-making because they
have the right to know the benefits, risks and
alternatives of everything done to them in
hospitals. As the authors of A Good Birth, A Safe
Birth point out: “If you don't know your
options, you don't have any."
The increasingly medicalisation of birth has led
to an increase in feelings of dissatisfaction with
birth and a rise in the number of women
suffering birth trauma, post-traumatic shock and
post-natal depression. Studies show that it’s not just about holding a baby in your arms at the end of
it, it’s about how you feel, because it can haunt you for years and affect you deeply.
A survey from the Birth Trauma Association in 2010 found that nearly 70 per cent of women did not
have the birth experience they wanted. A third said they were not treated with dignity and respect,
and were not given proper information and/or explanations during their labour. Many cited ‘loss of
control’ and ‘lack of communication’ as key factors in their negative experiences, and some said they
felt ‘bullied’, ‘ignored’ or ‘dismissed’ by overstretched staff.
Sometimes a birth does not go according to plan. Babies can be positioned unfavourably, or various
complications can occur which mean the baby needs to be taken out quickly. Not everyone can have
such a seemingly straight-forward birth as Kate Middleton. But quick birth can be traumatic too,
given that it doesn’t give the mind and body enough time to process what’s going on, and can lead to
giving birth in unplanned locations, which can contribute to shock.
No birth is ever easy and we don’t really know the truth of Kate’s birth or how she’s feeling because
she never reveals anything personal. Fair play to her for putting on such a public display of looking
flawless in pale clothes just 10 hours after the birth. That’s the last thing I ever felt like doing after I
squeezed a baby out after my exhausting labours. I just wanted to take to my bed and sleep for a
week and cuddle and feed my baby.
The upshot is preparation, preparation, and more preparation. The more you know about what could
happen will give you confidence, strength and arm you for any discussion you might need to have the
birth both you and your baby deserves.
Amy Vickers is a recently trained Cuidiú antenatal teacher running new classes packed full of up-to-date,
evidence-based information to empower you for a satisfactory and normal birth. If you wish to join Amy’s
low-cost Cuidiú 1-day weekend classes in Midleton, east Cork, please get in touch.
Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.facebook.com/TotallyBirth. Tel: 0851406321
References:
The Birth Trauma Association Survey. 2010. Available online:
http://www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk/newsletters/winter2010.pdf
Hodnett, Gates, et al. 2012. Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane database of
systematic reviews:
Korte, Diana & Roberta Scaer. 1992. A Good Birth, A Safe Birth. Harvard Common Press, 3rd ed.
USING YOUR B-R-A-I-N DURING LABOUR:
Benefits: how will this help me, my baby & my
labour?
Risks: what risks to me, my baby & my labour?
Alternatives: what are my other options?
Instinct: what does my gut tell me?
Need time: what if I do nothing right now? I
would like to wait for now.
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Cuidiú Members Survey Results Thanks to everyone who took part in our recent survey of Cuidiú members and friends. We value your feedback
and want to make sure we’re offering you exactly what you want. Last year Cuidiú celebrated its 30th birthday
and whilst we’ve evolved a lot from our early beginnings, we want to keep ensuring we’re still meeting the needs
of our ever-changing members.
Here is a run-down of the survey results:
The upshot from the survey is that you want more of us. You want meetings in north Cork, and more meetings
in the city and east Cork on different days and times. We need to make sure people are aware that there is NO
obligation to host a coffee morning just because you attend coffee mornings. And a great suggestion was to
introduce a buddy system and/or greeter for the mornings, so that if you’re new, you don’t feel left out.
The survey told us that you really get the essence of Cuidiú, with socialising and support being the key reasons
why you attend, followed by cakes and socialising your children. That’s what we have all loved over the years.
The feedback for us to consider is new timings and venues, with many of you saying you can’t make certain days
and locations, possibly because they’re not near public transport or are too early in the day. Would you, for
instance, be interested in an afternoon during the week at a public venue such as a community centre? And if
you’re a regular attendee, would you be willing to become a buddy to ensure new people are welcomed and
introduced to everyone?
We appreciate that it can be intimidating coming into a group of women who seemingly all know each other and
are friends, and we are always trying to address that and overcome those issues. Believe me, we’ve all been
there. It’s only when you keep turning up that you realise how quickly people get to know each other so that’s
the only reason why everyone seems to be friends. Cuidiú is an open, non-judgemental group – we welcome
people from all walks of life and are not just for breastfeeders: we often have bottle feeders too. We are all
about peer-to-peer support, friends helping friends.
To have your say and to give more feedback about times and venues, please email Mandi at: [email protected]
CUIDIÚ WATER BABIES We run a session at The Lavanagh Centre for babies and children every Saturday morning at 9.50am
(session starts at 10). The Lavanagh Centre (Park Avenue, Ballintemple) is a fantastic place to take
small children swimming. The pool and the changing rooms are heated so no cold babies. As well as a
shallow section where toddlers can walk and play, the main pool is standing depth. There is a small
deep section for the adventurous.
Parents take turns on the desk each Saturday. If you would like to help on the rota, please contact
swimming reps Biz or Eveline [email protected]
Pay as you swim. €5 per adult, €4.50 per child. (Max cost €19 per family)
For insurance reasons only Cuidiú members and immediate family can swim (i.e. partner & children)
First come first served.
Swim hats must be worn. Maximum pool occupancy 26 (includes babies).
Don’t forget to recycle all your unwanted baby and kiddie stuff with CuidiúCycle.
Just upload a pic and tell people what you’re giving away. Remember it’s always
free and try to be as descriptive as possible and courteous.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/CuidiuCycle
Summer dates for swimming:
Closed during school holidays
May 23
June 6, 13, 20 & 27
No swimming in July & August
SUMMER 2014 CORK BRANCH NEWSLETTER 13
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14 CORK BRANCH NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2015
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10 Questions On Parenting Aideen Ni Cheilleachair is a mum of 4 and founder of a number of Facebook groups including
Extended Breastfeeding in Ireland, Gentle Discipline, Rear Facing Car Seats, Sweet Sleep, No Cry
Baby Sleep, Wait It Out, Baby Led Weaning, Breastfeeding Mammies In Cork… the list goes on and
on! These groups are an invaluable source of information and support for new and not so new parents
and for many they have become the “village” it takes to raise a child.
What / who was your biggest
inspiration when preparing for
motherhood?
I prepared for motherhood for the
first time at 22. I was in college. I
was put in touch with the Health
Promotion Officer in the college,
who happened to have been a
midwife. She was the most
supportive person I could have
wished to meet at that time. She
gave me tips for labour, encouraged
me to breastfeed and to listen to my
instincts. She gave me great
confidence that I would be able to
do it all! My mother has been highly
influential on my parenting in general. I'm very
proud of her and I hope my children will be proud
of me.
What is your favourite thing about being a
parent?
I have four children and it can be challenging to
meet everyone's needs and get everything done.
They can each drive us nuts at times and there is
hardly a day where someone doesn't push my
buttons. But overall (and most definitely when
they are all asleep), I find that I really like them
as people and I look forward to enjoying their
company for many years to come. I was an only
child and I love having a relatively bigger family.
There’s more people to love and enjoy! Snuggles
are great. Smiles & sharing too.
What’s the worst thing about being a mum?
I find the noise levels and general mayhem hard
to deal with sometimes and this brings out the
monster in me especially if I'm trying to do
something. Actually it's the "trying to do
something" that is the problem. If I didn't want to
do other things, being a mum would be bliss!
I love my job as a learning support and resource
teacher in a primary school so
there are always things I want
to read about and I have
planning to get done for
school. I am very involved with
the Cloth Nappy Library (it's
my 5th baby) and when there is
something that needs doing I
like to dive in!
I'd like another few hours
every day. I don't resent that
the kids need so much time
but I do find I take on a bit
too much sometimes which
makes parenting hard. It's
frustrating not to have time
to do all the things I'm
interested in.
What keeps you
motivated in your day-
to -day parenting?
Sometimes I'm not
motivated at all but I'm
lucky to have a very
consistent other half who
cooks, cleans and ferries
the kids around - generally picking up the slack
when I'm not motivated. On a bad day when
everyone is shouting and squabbling I think
about the bond they will have in years to come. I
have no siblings (and no nieces or nephews
either). I never minded that as a child but I'd like
adult siblings now. Knowing they will have each
other forever does help me through the more
challenging days. I remember that "this too will
pass" and I appreciate that I have healthy
children.
Which piece of child equipment could you
have not lived without?
I was gonna say my slings but honestly I'd miss
my laptop so much if anything happened to it.
It's not strictly parenting related, but it gives me
something to do while feeding the baby and lets
me feel connected to the world when I'm tied to
the house in the evenings. It keeps me sane. The
slings help too. They are a very practical way of
holding baby as much as she likes while getting
on with things.
What words do you most over-use with your
kids?
I speak Irish to my children
and my husband speaks
English to them. I don't
over-use my Gaeilge of
course, but I find I'm
speaking some English to
them lately and I'd rather
not. I must find me
somewhere to practice my
own Gaeilge as I worry that
I'm losing it sometimes. I
SUMMER 2015 CORK BRANCH NEWSLETTER 15
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really want my children to
speak my language well
and to have all the
benefits of being bilingual.
How do you relax?
My Facebook addiction is
what I do in my spare
time. I convince myself
that it's useful as a lot of
my FB time is Cloth Nappy
Library "work". It's
probably not really though.
I turn on the laptop to do
one little job and I end up reading for an hour. I
suppose it's far more useful that the games I
used to play online before I discovered Facebook
and I hardly watch any TV. I recently started to
do "exercise" too. It hurts but I'm going to keep
it up. I really look forward to the Cuidiú coffee
morning in my home on the 4th Saturday of the
month -I get to talk to people in real life and
there is usually cake. If I can't sleep I find my
gentlebirth CD does the trick in a matter of
minutes.
Can you describe an embarrassing
experience with your children?
I teach in my daughter's school and she's just
finishing up 6th class at the moment. I've
provided almost 8 years of embarrassing
moments for her now. At least once a week I
walk past her classroom door and one of her
classmates thinking I’m there is a parental
capacity calls out "Ríona, your mom" – mortified!
I've embarrassed her in the yard by asking her to
go in and get her coat and in her classroom by
talking to her friends. She's not embarrassed me
too much over the years and I'll miss her next
year.
What would you have
done differently in
hindsight?
I'm not one for bouts of
regret or guilt. I try to do
the best I know how at
any given time and I
accept that sometimes I
don't know everything but
I don't beat myself up
about that. I try to learn
for next time or to pass on
better information to
others. If I were to change
anything, I'd like to have completed my
education before having kids. It's difficult to go
back to the books with children to support and
spend time with. Having said that, given a choice
between the career I wanted and my kids, I'd opt
for my kids every time.... that's exactly what
makes it so hard to study.
Any advice to new moms on how to cope?
I think as a first time mum you get lots of tips
and advice on just about everything from birth to
secondary school selection. Thankfully you get
less of that for subsequent babies. Take what you
find helpful and nod politely at the rest -parenting
is very unique and you have to do it your own
way. Be selective about what you read too. Don't
let any books make you feel you are doing things
wrong - find books that reinforce what you think
is important and that expand your mind rather
than enforcing one way of doing things. I would
personally suggest considering a homebirth,
breastfeeding, co-sleeping, baby wearing, baby-
led weaning, gentle discipline and using cloth
nappies, but that's just a few things that work
well for me and may not be for everyone.
Cuidiú Cork Library Cuidiú Cork has a fantastic range of books relating to parenting issues. The majority of
these books are up-to-date and peer recommended and available to members to borrow
at no charge. A small number of educational CDs and DVDs are also available.
A wide variety of topics is covered:
Antenatal and birth education including water birth and home birth
Newborns and Toddlers issues – reflux, fussy babies, elimination communication,
breastfeeding, starting solids, potty training and much more
School Age and Teenagers – Positive parenting & discipline up through the ages
Health and Wellbeing - alternative health, positive mental health, mindfulness, relationships, parental
separation, pregnancy loss, post-natal depression
Please contact the Cork Librarian Ria Halleran if you wish to arrange to borrow a book, or Like our Library
Facebook page for further information. If you have any parenting books that you are finished with and would like
to donate to the Cuidiú library we would be delighted to receive them.
Email: [email protected] FB: https://www.facebook.com/corkcuidiulibrary Tel: 0876478889
16 CORK BRANCH NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2015
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Why become a Cuidiú Member? As a member, you get access to our Breastfeeding Support groups, Cuidiú swimming, discounted
subscription at our coffee mornings, full access to the extensive library of books, invited to free member-
only events, receive the quarterly online newsletter, you will also receive the posted Cuidiú National
newsletter, you will be insured at any event you host/attend with Cuidiú’s public liability insurance AND we
also offer training to become antenatal teachers, peer-to-peer supporters and breastfeeding counsellors.
All subscriptions go to the central council in Dublin. The vast majority of this is spent on insurance. Each branch gets €3.00 per
member back to go to branch funds. Cuidiú is a registered charity which raises money to fund training for volunteers to
support new mums. By collecting your mobile numbers and email addresses, this will mean we can contact you to remind you
of events and to let you know if any arrangement is changed. It will make communication much easier. We do not give any
information to third parties and we do not send marketing emails.
Membership Subscription Form 2015 *Reduced Rate* CONTACT NAME:
EMAIL:
ADDRESS:
MOBILE NO: DATE:
If you are a new member, please tell us how you heard about Cuidiú……………………………………………………………
PLEASE RETURN THE ABOVE DETAILS ALONG WITH PAYMENT OF €25 - €13 if paying after July to
Rachel O’Regan, 8 Cois Atha, Baltimore Rd, Skibbereen Co Cork.
To pay electronically, simply log into http://www.cuidiu-ict.ie/login and follow the instructions. There is a
small charge for paying this way. If paying by cheque, please make them payable to Cuidiú Cork.
