By Róise Collins
LETTERKENNY is to host a first of its kind event to help build a supportive and empowering network for mums across the county.
Angela McGilloway is a consultant at Letterkenny University Hospital and the Donegal ambassador for MumTalks.ie, the company behind the event.
The Derry native was living in Galway when she became a mum back in 2022; this was when she first attended a Mum Talks event. She was amazed as there was nothing like it in the north west.
Becoming a mother can be isolating at the best of times, but during the pandemic it got worse – women were left wading through the depths of the prenatal and postpartum period alone as antenatal classes were moved online. This meant that opportunities to meet other expecting or new mothers were few, Angela explained.
“This is such a vulnerable time in our lives, whenever we are having a baby, it’s all very new,” she said.
“Our hormones are up the left, and your feet are swollen, and nothing fits you, and you crave chocolate, and you just need someone that you can bounce it off.
“And if you’re not going to an antenatal class and you don’t even have a five minute opportunity to sit beside another mum and ask how are you doing? Or talk about the weather, well you don’t make
those connections.”
Angela McGilloway, consultant at Letterkenny University Hospital and the Donegal ambassador for Mum Talks.
Mums instead found themselves turning to social media.
“We see these moms asking these really kind of basic questions sometimes. When you know they’re not actually asking a question, they’re just asking for reassurance.”
Angela said seeing this truly breaks her heart.
“It’s just a conversation that they need with another mum for a cup of tea. And they just don’t know any other mums.”
Mum Talks was founded by Lucy O’Driscoll Edge and Kara Heriot, following their own experiences of Motherhood. They felt there were so many activities that focused on the baby but there was nothing that focused wholly on supporting the mum
The company host events across the country, but this is their inaugural event in Donegal.
“Mums can come with or without their babies and enjoy breakfast whilst they listen to three speakers that we usually choose around maternal health, baby health/development and then just because it is all about mums, supporting local and making connections.
“We also try and invite someone who is a local mum and a local business owner so they can promote their business and share their story.”
Mum Talks host events across the country, but this is their inaugural event in Donegal.
The three guest speakers at this Thursdays event include Geraldine Hanley, a Perinatal Mental Health Midwife Specialist working in LUH, Stephanie Donaldson, a Sleep Consultant who works throughout Ireland with her company ‘Out For The Count’ and a local mum and business owner April Quigley, founder of Bo & Rey.
The event takes place at Castle Grove House, this Thursday, November 28 at 10.30am. Tickets are available online at MumTalks.ie. Donegal News readers can use the code MTLETTERKENNY for 50% off.
The launch is sponsored by McCabe’s pharmacy, so every mum in attendance will also receive a generous goody bag on the day.
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