University of Limerick Alumni Spotlight: Orla Geary

In the latest instalment of our Alumni Spotlight series, we speak to Orla Geary, graduate of the MSc in Perinatal Mental Health, from UL’s Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Education and Health Sciences. 

As well as being a registered general nurse, midwife, and public health nurse, Orla offers parent and child support as an infant massage instructor and children's sleep consultant.

Can you tell me a bit about yourself?

I am from County Cork. I completed my undergrad in general nursing in Tralee and moved back home to Cork soon after qualifying. I worked in several clinical settings and hospitals for a few years before completing a Higher Diploma in Midwifery and then a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Nursing. 

I am not somebody who grew up with very strong hobbies such as sport but grew to enjoy baking, in particular, celebration cakes over the years. I thought it would be a side hustle of mine. I have always had an interest in business but was never quite sure what route I wanted to take, until sleep coaching found me. 

During my maternity leave last year, I set up my parenting support business in which I offer sleep coaching support for zero to six-year-olds and baby massage classes for babies from birth to pre-crawling stage. 

Following on from my MSc in Perinatal Mental Health in 2022, I really wanted to put my newfound knowledge and skills into use. My mission was and is to promote positive well-being for the whole family but in particular the mother and baby dyad. 

My sleep coaching service aims to tackle sleep issues for young children, which in turn positively affects sleep and quality of life for the entire family. In addition, my baby massage classes offer an ideal opportunity for new moms and their babies to meet other moms and babies, and avail of social support, peer support and professional support and guidance when navigating this time in their life. In addition, they learn the art of infant massage which has a whole host of benefits for mother and baby. 

Why did you choose the MSc Perinatal Mental Health, and why at UL?

I chose this course because I wanted to extend my knowledge base and skill base to support women in the perinatal period. This master's is extremely comprehensive. In addition, I have always wanted to study at University of Limerick. I had studied in multiple higher-level institutions at this stage and University of Limerick offers a really unique opportunity in this field. 

I enjoyed the variety of modules, from antenatal mental health to postnatal to bereavement care and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).


What did you enjoy most about UL? What is student life like here?

I completed most of this course during lockdown. Thankfully, it continued remotely which suited me, avoiding the long commute. At this stage of my life, the student scene was past me. But I must say I found each of the lecturers fantastic and had a positive experience overall studying at UL.


Can you tell me about your major project?

I chose to do a research article instead of a thesis on the subject of the effectiveness of mother-led infant massage on symptoms of postnatal depression. My supervisor made a very good point, if you are going to put the work in, you may as well try and get it published. She was so right. We ended up getting the paper published, which I am absolutely thrilled with.


How did UL support you throughout your studies?

As I said previously, I felt each and every lecturer I have had at UL were excellent. But I must mention my supervisor, Ann-Marie Bright, in particular. She’s probably the best role model I have had academically. She is so organised, efficient, and supportive. She pushed me to my limits but in the best way possible. Any time I felt like throwing in the towel, (a master's is tough), she motivated me again to keep going but also to do better. The kindness she showed me throughout our time working together, along with her passion for perinatal mental health, has certainly given me the determination and grit to keep going and to do better for mothers and babies 

What career pathways can students expect from the MSc Perinatal Mental Health? 

There is certainly potential for specialist roles such as Clinical Nurse Specialist and Advanced Nurse Practitioner / Advanced Midwife Practitioner roles. But also, like me, there is an opportunity to think outside the box and work towards prevention and health promotion.

Tell me about your own career journey so far?

By day I am a Public Health Nurse which ultimately is a ‘cradle to grave’ service. My typical day may include wound care, assessments for older adults, home visits for new mothers and babies discharged from hospital, child development clinics along with liaising with the multidisciplinary team within primary care and beyond.

On the side, I have my little business where I offer sleep coaching remotely to families and on Saturday mornings, I run my baby massage classes in a local childcare centre. 


How did your UL course and your overall UL experience prepare you for entering the workplace/starting your own business upon graduating?

This master’s definitely prepared me to meet mothers where they are at. To support them to support their child and family and to recognise and refer early on those who are struggling and need further support outside of my scope

What advice would you give to students considering a career in the area of Perinatal Mental Health?

Go for it. Services for mothers and babies need to improve drastically in this country. All of us in this field are responsible for furthering our knowledge and skill base to reflect the needs of the people we care for and it is important that we do just that.

What are your hopes and plans for the future?

I would love to facilitate educational programmes for staff around perinatal mental health and create more initiatives within primary care which promote positive well-being for mothers.

For my business, I want to continue to grow it and see where it takes me. I also want to continue professional development myself in Perinatal Mental Health as you never stop learning.