Positive Pregnancy Walks organiser Fiona Reilly has organised a Pregnancy Fair The Park Ecovillage, Findhorn on Sunday, May 19
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A LOCAL pregnancy group is celebrating three years since its birth with a special event next month.
Positive Pregnancy Walks organiser, Fiona Reilly, has invited local representatives including Moray Maternity Voices Partnership, local midwives and doulas, Earthtime, Car Seat Safety Moray, Latnem Peer Support, Moray Sling Library, The Barefoot Caster, Leah Findlay Naming Ceremonies, Sam Montgomery, Tessa from Embodied Life and more to the Pregnancy Fair at the Sunshine Room in The Park Ecovillage, Findhorn on Sunday, May 19 from 2.30-4.30pm.
Fiona said: “Our fair will feature a café, face painting and outdoor games, as well as information at stalls and other activities.
“It will be a celebration of three years of Positive Pregnancy Walks and an opportunity for all those involved in maternity services in Moray to come together with pregnant families and those who have recently given birth.
“I love working collaboratively with NHS midwives and other professionals so it will be a delight to gather together at this event.”
The pregnancy walks are a monthly gathering - in Findhorn or Forres - of families due to give birth, as well as those returning after their babies have been born.
“We walk to the beach or in the woods,” said Fiona, “or, if there are toddlers, we’ve gone to the play park. If the weather is poor we go to a café and share a cuppa. It's always a friendly gathering with great discussion.
“We also visit the Family Boutique in Findhorn Ecovillage. It’s a free resource with clothing and equipment for pregnancy and baby care.”
The walks offer opportunities for pregnant women and partners to meet others and develop friendships. Attendees share experiences, ask questions and hear birthing stories.
Post-walk comments have included: “It’ so lovely to meet other mums to be and families”; “The walks have enabled me and my husband to meet other families and expectant mums in our area, and make friends”; “Fiona has been such a great support”; “Having this community has encouraged us to try for a home birth and feel much more relaxed about the process”; “Meeting other mums who had experienced home birth or were planning for their own birth was exactly what I needed”; and “Fiona has created a network of people with babies and young children who share knowledge and provide support.”
As a local doula working with birth for over 12 years, Fiona, of True Living Doula Services, Reflexology and Baby Classes, signposts information and increases knowledge around the birthing process and early parenting.
She added: “I lend books out as appropriate to people's needs and offer education around relevant topics, supporting informed choices. I also lend our birth pools, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machines and other resources that support people during births.
“Thanks to Newbold Legacy Trust for their support with funding as well as to all of the families and community members who are supporting.”
For more information email www.fionareilly.co.uk or call her on 07846118454.
