Bump Room in Mayo offering support to new and expectant mothers

It is estimated that 1 in 5 women worldwide will experience a mental health condition during pregnancy or within the first year after birth. Life-altering moments such as pregnancy, birth and early parenthood can be a stressful time for parents, in particular women, and as a result, many undergo a period of poor mental health.

The Bump Room is all about supporting and connecting women across Ireland as they navigate their pregnancy, post-natal and motherhood experience. From the first glimpse of that beautiful bump to the weeks, months and even years after baby’s arrival, The Bump Room’s physiotherapists help support, motivate and reassure women through movement, education and advice. From social support for peri-natal mental health, to advice on managing pelvic pain and even offering advice to post-natal mothers on topics such as returning to running, this team of talented physiotherapists aim to support women by nurturing their health and wellbeing for the entire pregnancy and on to their postnatal journey.

The Bump Room was established in 2008, when co-founder and qualified physiotherapist Ailish Cleary began offering pregnancy fitness classes. She wanted to merge her physiotherapy training with exercise and movement. The need for dynamic and challenging exercise in pregnancy became apparent and Ailish began creating classes which were a fusion of many different forms of exercise. This includes Pilates, aerobics, strengthening/resistance and stretching exercises as per the recommended guidelines.

When Ailish experienced Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) first hand during her pregnancy in 2009, she worked on developing and modifying the class content to support women with PGP to keep moving. As demand for classes grew, Ailish was joined by fellow qualified physiotherapist Caitriona Quinn, and in 2013, the Bump Room brand was born.

From then, the business has grown and today is run by Ailish, Caitriona and Fiona Healy, who is also a qualified physiotherapist, along with their wide team of expert physiotherapists nationwide. Not only does the class motivate women through movement and exercise but empowers women to connect, offers peer support and assists in highlighting and educating around topics such as peri-natal health.

Ailish said: “While I was pregnant on my first child, I experienced first-hand the symptoms of Pelvic Girdle Pain and knew that it was something I needed to intersperse with the pregnancy fitness classes. Today, the classes incorporate so much more than that. Women from across Ireland have told us that The Bump Room has helped them not only physically, during pregnancy and their post-natal period, but emotionally and with their mental health too.

“Social support plays such an important part for peri-natal mental health. The Bump Room offers women the opportunity to attend an exercise class among a group of peers with an opportunity for connection, which is sometimes the only connection a new mum might experience outside her own home in the initial months following the birth of her baby or during her pregnancy.”

The Bump Room classes meet once a week, both in-person in Castlebar and across Ireland as well as online, and many friendships have been forged in the classes. Belonging to a group can assist in building a sense of community and reducing isolation.

“Friendships and support are essential for perinatal mental health. It’s a time of significant transition for women into motherhood, the more supported they are the easier the transition can be. At the end of each class is an education topic discussion, offering information, advice and support on a range of subjects. We also have a WhatsApp group in the classes for informal communication, sharing of advice and sharing of baby news. This connection is especially important for new women to the area or new moms-to-be who don’t have pregnant friends, who can meet others going through the same thing as themselves, reducing isolation,” said Ailish.

As instructors are CORU registered the classes are all redeemable against your health insurance too.

The Bump Room is always looking for new physiotherapist instructors to join their team. They provide mentorship, training, administrative and ongoing support to ensure instructors are set up to run successful classes in their local area.

For more information about The Bump Room, visit www.thebumproom.ie.