New audiobook to help Limerick women from conception and childbirth through to being a mother
The HSE perinatal self-care workbook is now available on audiobook for easier access
THROUGH an innovative collaboration, community and maternity hospital-based mental health services in the Mid-West have launched an audiobook of a HSE self-care workbook.
‘My Perinatal Self Care Workbook’ is the collaborative brainchild of personnel and service-users at Mid West ARIES, Mental Health Services and the Specialist Perinatal Mental Health team at University Maternity Hospital Limerick (UMHL).
The workshop was originally released as a traditional book in October 2023.
There is no need for an app download or account set-up – you can simply stream or download it free from:
https://tinyurl.com/Perinatal-Self-Care-Audiobook
The idea for the workbook emerged from the feedback of women who attended a workshop on self-care at UMHL in April 2023 at Limerick’s Castletroy Park Hotel, organised by SPMHS team lead and Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist, Dr Mas Mahady, and Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Perinatal Mental Health, Pauline Walsh, with input from Mike O’Neill, manager of Mid-West ARIES, the recovery education service for mental health in the region.
“The message from women was clear,” said. “The event was a great success, and they wanted more.
The content covers the basics of self-care and wellness during the perinatal period, and how to support your physical health, emotional wellbeing, and develop and maintain healthy social connections throughout.
There are worksheets and planning aids to help you develop your own personalised self-care toolkit; encouraging messages of hope from women who have been on their own perinatal mental health journey; as well as contact details for a range of community-based support services throughout Limerick, Clare and Tipperary.
Mike O’Neill explained: “One great strength of this project is that woman who have used the service were central to its development, right through the process. And I think the most important thing about the book, what makes it unique, is the series of inspirational quotes from the women themselves. These were quotes that the women really wanted to be included, for the benefit of others.”
As one woman wrote: “The most helpful thing I learned after completing the workbook is that I am not alone. More women than I realised don’t feel themselves after pregnancy and it was nice to read “What Women Said” throughout the workbook…a good reminder that the most simple things can contribute to having a better day, e.g. 15 minutes of fresh air, eating well, drinking plenty of water. It also encouraged me to join mom and baby groups/activities.”
SPMHS team lead Dr Mas Mahady added: "We know that mums routinely put the needs of the baby, the family and everyone else before themselves, and many feel guilty even thinking of their own needs. But it's important to send a message out that mums should prioritise their self-care, and not put themselves last. We should support mums to carve out time in their busy schedules to recharge and to replenish. Mums need to know that it is not a 'selfish' thing to practise self-care, because it benefits them and those around them too.
“When mums practise self-care, it helps improve their mental and physical well-being; it reduces stress and the likelihood of burnout. We hope that our Perinatal Self-Care Workbook will help mums achieve this by identifying what their needs are and what works for them."