Pregnancy and birth workshop in Athlone next month

Calling all Athlone mums to be out there... Are you ready for the birth of your baby? Can you ever be prepared for that life changing moment when you hold your little one for the first time? Now, you can answer yes to all of those questions by optimising your health during pregnancy, and improving your physical and emotional well being, courtesy of a new Mum-to-be, Pregnancy and Birth Workshop taking place next month in Athlone. The event, hosted by Nutritional Consultant Cathriona Hodgins, of The Food Clinic will cover nutrition for mother and baby, an introduction to hypnobirthing by Siobhan Byrne of Harmony Hypnosis, labour and delivery support by a local midwife, pregnancy yoga, breastfeeding advice, homeopathy and pregnancy massage. It takes place in Circle of Life, Roscommon Road, Athlone, on August 7 next from 10am to 4pm. The idea of the workshop is to empower women during their pregnancy so they can make the right choices for themselves and their baby, as well as being better prepared for birth by improving your nutritional status for you and your baby. For instance, did you know that the essential fatty acids found in oily fish, nuts and seeds are important for the baby's developing brain especially during the last trimester. Many studies show that these good fats also have a role to play in preventing post-natal depression. An introduction to hynobirthing aims to take the fear out of childbirth, teaching you a technique which can achieve a satisfying, relaxing, and stress-free method of birthing. Hynobirthing helps you learn the art and joy of experiencing birth in a more comfortable manner. You will learn to call upon your body's own natural relaxant and thus lessen or eliminate discomfort and the need for medication. This is a unique opportunity to join other mums to be and learn about complimentary therapies as well as speak to a local midwife. You can physically prepare your body with a yoga class and get advice on massage and how homeopathy can help during pregnancy. For further details and bookings call Cathriona Hodgins on 087 6355643. The workshop costs €95 and includes lunch. Look out for further information on seminars by the Food Clinic starting in September with Heart Health - how to lower your cholesterol and blood pressure through diet.