Holistic Motherhood Services

22/07/2025

Did you know using a pool in labour and/or for birth is locally available in Wexford General hospital, under the Domino scheme in Waterford University Hospital and for homebirth.

We have evidence from studies involving thousands of women and babies that using water for labour and birth is safe and leads to good outcomes.

Using water also brings advantages for some women, including less need for other kinds of pain relief and increased maternal satisfaction.

But, as with many things in obstetrics, practice doesn’t always follow evidence.

Some organisations, such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, do not recommend waterbirth.

They sometimes cite anecdotal stories and hypothetical risks, while ignoring large studies which evidence that waterbirth is safe for women and babies.

This means that researchers need to keep doing more studies in order to demonstrate that woman-centred options are safe and effective.

Numerous studies evidence waterbirth safety.

I list many of them at https://www.sarawickham.com/water

Find out more about birth, research and how to make sense of it all at www.sarawickham.com

28/06/2025

Pregnancy Relax Stretch Breathe classes focus on relaxation, gentle exercise and breathing for labour. These uniquely-designed classes are only provided by Antenatal Ireland teachers in Ireland. The classes offer a time-out from busy schedules, to relax and concentrate on your wellbeing and your baby. Suitable from 14 weeks in pregnancy right up to birth, yoga-based exercises for complete beginners or those with some yoga experience.

Baby massage classes are suitable for parents with their pre-crawling babies where they learn the very special art of nurturing touch. This form of communication with your baby shows them they are loved, welcomed and respected. It is a wonderful way of bonding with your baby as it works on an emotional as well as physical level developing closeness between parent and baby that has lifelong benefits. Parents/caregivers massage their own baby using a specifically designed series of strokes. This series combines Indian and Swedish massage along with Reflexology techniques and some gentle yoga based exercises into a routine designed to be beneficial for infants

Insurance reimbursements may apply

27/06/2025

New venues in New Ross, Clonroche and Waterford 😍
PM for details
or book via my website https://www.holisticmotherhood.ie/book-a-class
Thanks! Germaine

23/05/2025

I'll be forever grateful to every single client I have met through my work. My sole trading biz is here because of your support!
I appreciate each gift voucher, every 60min massage, the mother circles, epic births and the hazy days of a new mamas postpartum.
Pic is throwback to the noughies, me supporting a beautiful labouring client/friend & her husband:)

04/03/2025

A favourite foot massage rhyme we learn in class & is a nice alternative to 'This Little Piggy' to keep things super chill ..... it goes...
This one wears a cap
This one wears and crown
This one wears a cape
This one wears a gown
This one wears a plaster cause he fell down 😉

Taking bookings for the next course start date April 29th or 1:1s at a time that suits you. DM for more info

06/10/2024

I'm always on the look out for making antenatal classes more fun! This will be a great icebreaker!

Interested in joining?
When: 10-6pm Sunday 24th November 2024
Where: The Viking Hotel, Cork Road, Waterford

Limited to 8 couples and you can book at link below
https://www.holisticmotherhood.ie/book-a-class

If you are currently pregnant, can you say 'yes' to any of these squares? Come and get some quality information and social support at my next antenatal course.

25/07/2024

You are invited to take part in "Good Grief" workshops!

Good Grief is a series of FREE workshops for those in the second year following a bereavement. The workshops will be led by experts in creativity and wellbeing, and the activities are wide ranging - from music, to mandala creation, to aromatherapy.

Participants are invited to engage with the activities and develop a creative toolbox that they can take from when feelings of grief become overwhelming. In the months following the workshops, a researcher will consult with the participants to document what they have found useful.

There is no cost to participate in the programme and it is open to anyone over 18 living in County Waterford or County Wexford who is in the second year following a bereavement. No experience in creativity is necessary.

If you would like more information about this programme, please contact Elizabeth Howard elizabeth.howard@wexfordcoco.ie or Nicola Spendlove nspendlove@waterfordcouncil.ie .

This project is funded by Creative Ireland and developed in partnership with Healthy Ireland, the HSE, Réalta (the national resource organisation dedicated to developing arts and health in Ireland), and Wexford Mental Health Association.



Healthy Wexford

29/05/2024

Learn the very special art of nurturing touch and baby massage. This form of communication with your baby shows them they are loved, welcomed and respected. It is a wonderful way of bonding with your baby as it works on an emotional as well as physical level developing closeness between parent and baby that has lifelong benefits.

Benefits include:
✨Improve baby's sleep
✨Provide relief for baby's wind or colic symptoms
✨Shown to increase baby's weight gain
✨Opportunity to meet other parents
✨Helps with postnatal depression
✨Parents tell me they love the social aspects of class too!

Course dates in June-July 2024: 11/06; 18/06; 25/06; 02/07; 09/07
PM for booking link

Looking forward to making memories with you and your baby 👶

28/05/2024

Are you expecting a baby in 2024?
Are you looking to build your confidence by attending a birth preparation class?

Held over one weekend, this small group interactive antenatal class is ideal from week 24 in pregnancy onwards. Packed full of helpful tips and evidence-based information it will help you prepare for a positive birth. Places are limited so everyone has time to get their questions answered and to practice skills needed for labour and early parenthood. Each ticket admits two people - one pregnant person and one birth partner/support person). If your partner can’t attend, bring along another trusted support person! Included in ticket price is annual membership to Cuidiú parent support charity worth €25

✨When: 22 & 23 June 2024 2-6pm
✨Where: Creacon Wellness Retreat, New Ross, County Wexford
✨Your investment: €200 per couple/pair
✨What’s included: pdf booklet, handouts, light afternoon refreshments
✨Optional extras: accommodation €120pp sharing for attendees, meals, holistic treatments
✨Booking link in bio or feel free to DM ‘weekend course’ ‘ for more information:)

Hosted by educator Germaine Creevy, Cuidiú trained and Fedant registered to teach Antenatal Ireland classes. Antenatal Ireland educators undergo continuous education to maintain their license to practice and for quality assurance. In addition to this, Germaine is a trained birth & postpartum doula, holistic and Ayurvedic massage therapist & a baby massage instructor.

Topics include:
-Informed decision making
-Role of the partner
-Pain relief options
-Relaxation and breathing techniques
-Comfort measures
-Positions for labour and birth that reduce pain and risk of labour stalling
-Medical Interventions (e.g. induction, caesarean)
-Early days with your newborn/ infant care
-Postpartum care and breastfeeding basics
and lots, lots more!

25/04/2024

Which of the HSE resources did you use to learn about breastfeeding/bottle feeding?

Parents who attend my antenatal classes get a copy of the HSE Breastfeeding a Good Start in Life and if any special circumstances the breastfeeding & expressing for premature or sick baby booklet.

We're doing a survey of people who have become parents in recent months or years. We have a number of information resources to help new parents, including pregnancy and child health information on mychild.ie. The survey will help us better understand who is using these information resources and how we can improve them.
Take our survey here: https://forms.gle/TvBgnxuGkahEygRSA

10/04/2024

Waterford screening Tues 23rd Apr @6.30pm. I’ve my ticket for this screening event in Waterford so 🤞 a few more tickets will be sold and it will go ahead.

To book you click payment and enter your card details - then your ticket is reserved but card will only be charged once the screening is confirmed.

Where and how women choose to birth matters. Born At Home takes viewers on a journey to understand what it takes to have a positive and transformative birth experience. Featuring insights from women's personal birth stories, midwives, medical professionals and researchers, the film explores the impo...

04/04/2024

There is still time to book into the next set of classes in New Ross!

-Baby massage Tuesday morning 10am-11.15am
-Relax Stretch Breathe for pregnancy classes Weds evening 5.30pm-7pm
- Antenatal Course in Waterford Sunday afternoon 2-6pm