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Irish Independent
25-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Kerry moms get new book on well-being during pregnancy and post-birth
The booklet is available in Kerry and Cork and offers useful advice on topics including nutrition, exercise, sleep, and mental health supports. Dr Freda Wynne, Senior Clinical Psychologist, said the booklet outlines the fundamental elements in the importance of carving out time for oneself. It addresses the mental health concerns that new mothers may face and directs them to the appropriate resources for support. Additionally, the book includes a comprehensive list of services ranging from acute care to community-based family resource centres and online support. The booklet is a joint project between staff at University Hospital Kerry, HSE South West mental health services, and Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH). It is funded by HSE South West 'Connecting for Life' (the regional self-harm and suicide reduction plan). Martin Ryan, Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention, with HSE South West said the booklet's 'Connecting for Life' link ensures that families have the essential tools they need for a thriving start. 'This initiative exemplifies successful cross-disciplinary collaboration with the potential to significantly enhance the well-being of expecting and new mothers, as well as their support networks, including new dads,' Mr Ryan said. The project team thanked and acknowledged HSE colleagues in HSE Dublin and South East, as this booklet took their work and built on it to make it suitable for families in Cork and Kerry. The team included staff from the Perinatal Mental Health Service in CUMH and UHK included Dr Freda Wynne, Senior Clinical Psychologist; Breda Bird, Clinical Midwife Manager 2 (CMM2); Zodwa Lenihan, Clinical Midwife Specialist (CMS); Louise Chawke, CMM2. It also involved Martin Ryan, (Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention, Cork); and Donagh Hennebry (Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention, Kerry).
Irish Examiner
17-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
When it's not love at first sight for a new mum
We expect to feel overwhelming love for our newborn, but we shouldn't panic if we don't. These are the reassuring words of Dr Joanna Parga-Belinkie, an associate professor of paediatrics, neonatologist, and mother of Mira, seven, Simon, five, and Zelda, one. Parga-Belinkie wants parents to know that it is not a red flag, nor does it signify that you are 'a bad parent', if you do not feel a rush of love when you first see your new infant. 'When I was pregnant with my first baby, I wasn't sure I had made the right decision,' says Parga-Belinkie, author of The Baby Bonding Book: Connecting with Your Newborn. 'I was sick, tired, and grappling with not feeling like myself. How did I want this so badly, yet was handling the whole pregnancy process so poorly? I didn't love every minute of being pregnant, and I knew I wouldn't love every minute of being a new mom.' Despite her early ambivalence, Parga-Belinkie knew she wanted her love for her baby 'to grow to become deeply powerful and expansive. I let my dream of that kind of love help me get through the hard parts of achieving it.' As a clinical neo-natologist at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Parga-Belinkie sees lots of parents putting huge emphasis on the birth moment. 'But it's important to reframe away from the moment of birth, which can be really joyous, or it can be one where things didn't go to plan.' 'We need to refocus on 'who is this person I delivered?' and on building a relationship with them. Think of our most significant relationships — they're usually grown over time; love grows stronger. So, it's about establishing that connection, and love can grow. Because, really, what you're building with your baby is a lifetime of love,' she says. Bond later Dr Freda Wynne, senior clinical psychologist with the specialist perinatal mental health team at Cork University Maternity Hospial (CUMH) agrees that society leads us to believe we will instantly feel love, warmth, and connection when we first meet our babies. 'Parents hear a lot about the golden hour, that hour after birth, which is a sensitive time for bonding. But we know from research, mostly UK-based, that immediate bonding doesn't happen for up to 30% of women.' Wynne says parents can feel real pressure if they think they have missed that 'golden hour' opportunity and that it will be hard to get it back. The reality is different. 'There are lots of opportunities to bond. It's more helpful to think of bonding as a process that can unfold over time.' Guilt and shame often arise for parents who don't experience that instantaneous bonding. 'They expected it immediately. When it isn't there, they think there's something wrong with them, or with their relationship with their baby.' Lots can get in the way of immediately feeling the love, Wynne explains: 'If you've had a difficult birth experience or been separated from your baby, who's had to go to NICU, you can be in a very stressed state. You might be stressed about being in hospital, or maybe you were under a lot of pressure to finish up work before the birth, so you went in to it stressed. The transition to parenthood is a process of huge change and adjustment. Trying to balance so much can be stressful.' All these factors could mean the conditions within us are not there for bonding straightaway. 'Feeling anxious or depressed isn't conducive to bonding.' Parga-Belinkie has seen parents 'beat themselves up' for not bonding immediately with their infant. 'It can be comforting to know you don't have to know everything right away, that you're building a relationship.' She urges parents to give themselves 'permission to be intentional about connecting with their child'. There are many ways to cultivate love, she says, citing some of her favourites: Skin-to-skin contact: 'Let baby feel your heart rate, your breathing. It can calm and comfort both of you. Babies are really good at skin-to-skin in the first couple of weeks — they sleep up to 16 hours, so they like that closeness when they sleep. And they're not as distracted by the world around them, because their senses are still developing. 'Let baby feel your heart rate, your breathing. It can calm and comfort both of you. Babies are really good at skin-to-skin in the first couple of weeks — they sleep up to 16 hours, so they like that closeness when they sleep. And they're not as distracted by the world around them, because their senses are still developing. Observe your baby: Actively listen. Watch how they react to light, to temperature changes. And really listen to their cry — lots of parents get very emotional when their babies cry. It doesn't mean you've done something wrong, just they don't like the temperature change, or they've a dirty nappy, or they're hungry. If you really pay attention, you can decipher their cries and respond to them. And if you aren't getting why your baby's crying, you're still letting them know you are there for them. Actively listen. Watch how they react to light, to temperature changes. And really listen to their cry — lots of parents get very emotional when their babies cry. It doesn't mean you've done something wrong, just they don't like the temperature change, or they've a dirty nappy, or they're hungry. If you really pay attention, you can decipher their cries and respond to them. And if you aren't getting why your baby's crying, you're still letting them know you are there for them. Serve-and-return: Like a tennis match with your baby, when they vocalise, you say the same thing back to them. It might seem silly, because you're not using words, but baby knows, 'Hey, somebody's listening to me, they're trying to interact with me'. Serve-and-return is a really powerful reciprocal language. And by interacting with them and trying to get to know them, you're helping build their brain — at this stage, babies are establishing neuronal networks. Their brains are growing at incredible speed.' Like a tennis match with your baby, when they vocalise, you say the same thing back to them. It might seem silly, because you're not using words, but baby knows, 'Hey, somebody's listening to me, they're trying to interact with me'. Serve-and-return is a really powerful reciprocal language. And by interacting with them and trying to get to know them, you're helping build their brain — at this stage, babies are establishing neuronal networks. Their brains are growing at incredible speed.' Play: Not only is it fun, it really makes connections with your baby, bolsters their brain. As parent, you're your baby's favourite toy. Watching you, responding to you — that's what's going to be most stimulating for baby and help most in their development.' Feelings will come Wynne agrees that what is important in establishing a loving relationship with your baby is the intention to connect, the motivation and drive to form a bond. 'If we have the orientation to care for our baby, if we want to connect with them, and we're engaging in opportunities to do so, the feelings often follow.' Opportunities to connect are many and daily, she says. 'Tasks like feeding, bathing, nappy-changing, that moment after changing the nappy where I'm making eye contact, playing with baby — I'm present and curious about what my baby is doing. All this helps build our emotional connection, or even sparks off the bond. The baby's cues, their crying, might biologically prompt the feelings.' Wynne says it's not unusual for new mums to feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure about their bond with their baby in the early days. 'If, after six to eight weeks, you're concerned about your bond developing, it's a good idea to reach out for support.' Dr Joanna Parga-Belinkie Parga-Belinkie says mother and baby have different needs and it can be challenging to meet both sets. 'Mum's body has changed, her hormones, her responsibilities. Parenting a newborn is very demanding. It requires a lot o vigilance. It's a 24-hour, exhausting job. The baby, on the other hand, has a very different sleep schedule from the mother. They're experiencing everything for the first time — everything's new to them and stimulating.' Parenting a baby is a team sport, she says. 'Safe, nurturing relationships are key to the baby's stable brain growth, but also to support the parents. There should be other trusted, loving caregivers around for both baby and parents.' She sees fathers as having a crucial role in caring for the birthing parent. 'They can often feel a little left out. They didn't give birth, and if mum's breastfeeding, then they're not the ones feeding the baby. They can feel the odd man out. What's really helpful is if they can take over the household tasks, the mental load of caring for other children. This can really enhance the birthing parent's bond with the baby.' Wynne says bonding is designed to give us positive feelings, so we get the reward of feeling connected with our baby. 'If those feelings aren't there, the care demands can feel a bit more effortful.' But what is most important, she says, is orientating ourselves in the direction of our baby and letting those warm feelings come. Parga-Belinkie agrees: 'In being attentive, interested, and responsive, a parent will go a long way in connecting with their child.' The Baby Bonding Book: Connecting with Your Newborn (American Academy of Pediatrics). Read More What are the signs of loneliness in children and what should you do if your child is lonely?
Irish Examiner
22-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Lorraine Desmond on raising children with CFC: 'I couldn't have predicted the joy my two boys would bring'
A Tuesday in December 2011, we had an appointment in CUMH with a professor of genetics from Dublin. December 13 — the day our two- and three-year-old sons Alex and Rian were diagnosed with CFC (cardiofaciocutaneous) syndrome. I'd heard of CFC. The boys had been very unwell babies, with lots of feeding and growth issues. When you put symptoms into Google it throws back a selection of possibilities. When you're focused on a topic, talk to other parents with similar issues, people come into your life, other mums, American mums especially. They'd have said different syndromes so I'd heard of CFC, but I didn't expect it. Professor Green took bloods. He took photos of the boys. He pointed out differences in their hands. I thought: 'Even their hands are different' — their little hands that were perfect to us were a feature of this syndrome. He said, based on their features, hands, and head shape, they had CFC. He was 110% certain, but there had never been two in the one family before. The expectation would be for just one in a family, unless either parent had it — we didn't. That's why he took bloods. CFC is part of a family of syndromes. Another example is Noonan Syndrome, which is lower on the scale of disability. I was disappointed to hear CFC. Although the boys were so young, they weren't where they should be. I knew now there was no hope they'd get to where they should be because there'd be an intellectual disability. Of course, we'd had our suspicions, but you don't ever want those suspicions confirmed. Because then it's true, it's real life. Until the point of confirmation, you feel you can make it better. So you sit in this moment and you feel, OK, this is it now — you feel there's a full stop, a full stop for hope, that you can make it better. You're starting the next paragraph then, figuratively. Two children with a rare disease... The statistics for CFC syndrome are 1 in 810,000. The odds increase dramatically for having two. Lorraine Desmond with her boys Alex and Rian. Picture: Dan Linehan We're the only family in the world with two children with CFC where neither parent has it. We knew then what we were dealing with; there were no more unknowns. It was time to get moving and make them the best they could be. The boys had no speech at this point; Rian was tube-fed, Alex was eating but very limited. They were failing to thrive, not meeting milestones. As a three-year-old Alex had lots of behavioural challenges, banging his head, hurting his brother because he couldn't tell us what was wrong. Rian's issues were more medical, including not sleeping. It was the same syndrome, different presentations. Those early years were so difficult, we wouldn't go back for all the tea in China. They attend Our Lady of Good Counsel Special School in Ballincollig. Once they got the support of a multidisciplinary team and amazing SNAs they started being able to talk, communicate their needs and wants, which reduced the behaviour difficulties. I remember the day Alex came home from school, looking for a biscuit in the cupboard. Before, he'd have had a tantrum because of not being able to make himself understood. Now he was able to make the sound and the Lámh sign for biscuit — it was incredible! You knew then there was hope — more speech would come, more sounds. It was the first glimpse there was something coming. Lorraine Desmond. Picture Dan Linehan Their fine and gross motor skills improved; they were able to put on their coats; feed themselves. I remember Rian sitting up in his high chair, a tiny little fellow, saying 'I do it' — he wanted to feed himself his own breakfast. For me not to have to feed him, that was a really emotional moment. They started to make friends. Their community was expanding, but so was ours. Alex today knows his own mind. We call him the detective. He asks question after question. If he meets someone, he'll have a good interpretation of them in five questions. Rian is equally social. He loves people and is really in tune with people's feelings. Looking back, that day of diagnosis was a positive moment, though we didn't think so then. It gave us an answer, helped us move forward. There was no more wondering. I couldn't have predicted then the level of joy they'd bring everybody around them. They joined the Marvel Club recently. People have been offering to host them in their homes for playdates — people seek out their company. We go through moments of grief. I'd always thought you grieve when they're diagnosed. But as they get older, there are still milestones, like Alex leaving school next year. There's grief that he won't be going to college like his older sister. There's anxiety — what happens when we get older; when they do? And guilt. Are we doing enough? But the joy... It's not that 'they're so cute'. No, they're really difficult; it's seeing people's interactions with them that makes us so happy. We're really proud they're out in the community and are liked by people. Our Lady of Good Counsel Special School, Ballincollig, is fundraising for a garden room, with a €41,000 target. The 'Bikers, Buns and Blooms 2025' motorbike run with family fun is this Sunday, May 25, at the school. The motorbike rally is run by Na Préacháin MCC. See: Our Lady of Good Counsel School on Facebook. Donate at Our Lady of Good Counsel at
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New HSE endometriosis centre opens in Cork, Ireland
Ireland's Health Service Executive (HSE) has announced the opening of the Supra-Regional Endometriosis Centre, a development aimed at enhancing care for women with advanced endometriosis. The centre, opened by Ireland Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, is situated at the Lee Clinic and is managed by Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH). It has begun welcoming patients from across Ireland. CUMH consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist and clinical director Dr Mairead O'Riordan said: 'Thank you to the government for its ongoing commitment to women's health, the launch of the centre is a significant step toward improving access to specialised healthcare and addressing the long-standing gaps in endometriosis care.' Since 2021, the Irish Government has allocated over €5m ($5.49m) to fund staffing for endometriosis services, which includes €2.17m to expand services during this year. In addition, €1.7m has been invested specifically in endometriosis services in Cork since 2022. The new Endometriosis Centre at CUMH is focused on providing specialist care to women throughout the region, with a multidisciplinary team working collaboratively to offer comprehensive, personalised support to each patient. Its establishment is a collaborative effort between the HSE and the HSE National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) and is designed to align with the National Endometriosis Framework. This framework, a first for Ireland, sets out a clear clinical care pathway for women with endometriosis. The centre in Cork, along with another supra-regional clinic at Tallaght University Hospital, will be supported by the regional endometriosis hub services network. MacNeill said: 'This facility in Cork will help deliver a new model of care, one that meets the complex needs of women with endometriosis while providing timely, equitable access to essential services for women living with this condition.' Last month, the HSE announced the launch of an Integrated Healthcare Hub in Waterford for outpatient services. "New HSE endometriosis centre opens in Cork, Ireland" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
