Yesterday was Paint Your Bump Day for Maternal Mental Health Awareness and I went to the Little Darlings Play Cafe in Santry, Dublin, to photograph the very talented Rita at work.
The lucky pregnant mums who got their bump painted all said it was an amazing experience and the babies enjoyed it too. Some of them were very close to her due date and I’m sure they also enjoyed chatting to Rita about their upcoming birth (Rita is also a Doula).
Paint your bump was set up by two psychotherapists: Fran Buckley & Elva Glynn. They encouraged Mums-to-be to paint their bumps on May 3rd 2017 using face paints and post on social media using #pyb2017. The purpose of this initiative is to create awareness around Maternal Mental Health.
“Feelings of anxiety and depression are becoming increasingly common on the road to pregnancy, during pregnancy and after a baby is born. We don’t want women to ignore or suffer through these experiences.
Our wish is for women to feel empowered and to empower each other. To spread the word that it’s ok not to be ok, that it’s ok to get help, that’s its ok to talk about it.
We want you to know that you are not alone, every woman experiences different struggles in the transition to motherhood. Becoming a mother is one of the biggest transitions you will make in your life.”
Fran and Elva
About Rita
Rita is a Birth Doula. She supports mothers during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period. She is a member of DAI and also a qualified Cuidiú breastfeeding counsellor.
