Planning For Pregnancy - Parent Resources

Planning for pregnancy: New books and website now available

Great new resources for parents have recently become available containing advice on pregnancy and the first five years of a child’s life. Extensive research with parents and parents-to-be across Ireland have influenced the creation of a website called mychild.ie. Alongside this new ‘My Pregnancy’ and ‘My Child: 0 to 2 years’ and ‘My Child: 2 to 5 years’ books are now being given to all pregnant women at the antenatal booking visit and are also available to download from  http://www.mychild.ie/books.

A book like this is needed to answer questions that parents may have about pregnancy and early parenthood and to provide evidence based information to guide them on decision making during this important time in their lives. It contains information on getting support on the pregnancy journey, pregnancy health, labour and birth, baby’s first six weeks, health and wellbeing after the birth and benefits and supports available. Over 4,000 parents were surveyed during the development of this book to ensure that the final product would reflect current information needs in relation to pregnancy and parenting. This book offers help and guidance for every step of the way.

A multidisciplinary team of midwives, nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, dieticians and psychologists and others came together to write these books. It is funded by HSE Nurture and published by the HSE.

Photo (l-r): Pictured at the launch of mychild.ie and new resources My Pregnancy & My Child 0 to 5 years books in Dublin on 6 December 2018 are Cathy O’Sullivan, Interim Director, Centre of Midwifery Education, CUMH; Cora Williams, DPHN, North Lee Cork City; Catherine Maguire, Infant Mental Health Specialist & Mentor, Clinical IMHE; Brenda Golden, DPHN, South Lee Cork City; Mari O’Donovan, Child Health Training & Development Officer; Judy Purkiss, ADPHN, South Lee Cork City