Moving into motherhood: investigating dance programmes for perinatal health and wellbeing across Ireland and the UK

Findings reveal that the DHW programmes supported women to develop: (i) connections with themselves – their physical bodies, their emotions and their new mother identity; (ii) connections with their babies through programmes which fostered good attachment; and (iii) connections with others through social interaction with peers. Key approaches contributing towards this positive impact include: (i) facilitating with care in a responsive way; (ii) providing safe spaces for physical and emotional expression; (iii) employing attachment-informed approaches; (iv) encouraging social interaction; and (v) ensuring psychological support is available for participants.

Key considerations are outlined for future collaborations between arts and health sectors to deliver perinatal DHW programmes, such as ensuring sustainable and consistent funding structures and providing mechanisms which support the facilitating artist as they deliver the programmes. This study evidences the potential benefits for perinatal dance programmes and offers a roadmap for further research to measure and confirm impact.