Saturday’s Baby Bump Painting Event at New Beginnings was a wonderful afternoon for local mums and mums-to-be to celebrate themselves and their next big step in life. 

There was a warm welcome for every woman at the Wellness Hub in Letterkenny for this friendly fundraiser, which had guest talks, self-care pamper treats and Donegal’s first bump painting workshop.

Mums-to-be had private painting sessions throughout the day with Angela McFadden, as they created beautiful pictures on their bumps. Women used their bumps as artwork canvases to celebrate their pregnancies and create special mementoes for themselves and their babies.

Baby Bump painter Angela McFadden at the New Beginnings Baby Bump Event, 5th May 2018. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin

Organisers Sarah Barr, Anne Quinn and Caroline Doherty had a fantastic itinerary of guest speakers throughout the afternoon who talked about pregnancy, birth, and life with newborn babies. Every speaker had a wealth of tips and experiences to share, while the main focus of each talk was about maternal mental health and wellbeing. As Caroline Durkin from Yummy Mum put it -“A happy mum leads to a happy baby.”

Anne Quinn (Simply Birth Donegal, Sarah Barr (New Beginnings Counselling) and Caroline Doherty (Donegal Doula and Placenta Encapsulation) at the New Beginnings Baby Bump Event, 5th May 2018. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin

Reflexology and kinesiology taster sessions were provided as a special Saturday treat for mums-to-be, and there was plenty of tea and sweets for all to enjoy in the cosy and comforting wellness hub.

Sharon Lynch, Donegal Kinesiology, Caroline Peoples, Feet First Reflexology and Gill McGeever, Reflexology at the New Beginnings Baby Bump Event, 5th May 2018. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin

The event raised funds for an important charity, The Victoria Thompson Scholarship Fund, which was set up by Sharon and Brian Thompson to advance children’s palliative care in Ireland. Tickets were sold for an exciting raffle and many donations were made to support the fund.

Sharon Thompson and Sarah Barr at the New Beginnings Baby Bump Event, 5th May 2018. Photo: Maria Rushe

This event, the first of its kind for Donegal, was a fantastic success, bringing together families, friends and people who work in the world of mums and babies to create an open community of shared support.

See the gallery below for more photos from this unique and special event: 

Ría Willow with her lovely facepainting at the New Beginnings Baby Bump Event, 5th May 2018. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin

Maria Rushe (The S-Mum) and Sarah Barr (New Beginnings) at the New Beginnings Baby Bump Event, 5th May 2018. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin

Carol Durkin – YummyMum.ie at the New Beginnings Baby Bump Event, 5th May 2018. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin

Christina McGeady and Fiona McDonagh at the New Beginnings Baby Bump Event, 5th May 2018. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin

Deirdre Ward (Unlock) and Sarah Barr (New Beginnings) at the New Beginnings Baby Bump Event, 5th May 2018. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin

Caroline Doherty and Maggie Harkin at the New Beginnings Baby Bump Event, 5th May 2018. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin

Edel and Eithne McGirr at the New Beginnings Baby Bump Event, 5th May 2018. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin

Three generations: Barbara, Torie and Baby Gibson at the New Beginnings Baby Bump Event, 5th May 2018. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin

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