MUSIC calms the savage best, Shakespeare said, and for many women, pregnancy hormones, concerns about childbirth, and becoming a new parent can be a bit of a beast in its own right.
A University of Limerick (UL) researcher is inviting pregnant women in Limerick to take part in a new music research programme that aims to support maternal wellbeing in pregnancy.
The Mums Using Music programme is the first antenatal music programme for maternal wellbeing designed by midwives, music therapists, and mothers. The programme is led by Dr TrÃona McCaffrey, associate professor of music therapy at UL.
The five-week programme is aimed at pregnant women living in the city between 18 and 35 weeks pregnant, and is being rolled out in in partnership with the Northside Family Resource Centre.
Expectant mothers taking part in the new programme will learn how to use music for relaxation and connecting with their unborn baby, while also being guided on how to use music to support childbirth and early parenting.
According to the HSE, one in five women in Ireland will experience mental health problems during pregnancy.
Dr McCaffrey explained that UL researchers “discovered that women, their partners ,and healthcare practitioners’ want to learn about the health benefits of using music in pregnancy, and while the HSE recognises music as a tool for wellbeing in pregnancy, no resource exists for pregnant women on how to effectively use music for this purpose.”
Interested participants should contact Dr McCaffrey on TrÃ[email protected].
