As a Nurse/Midwife Ira has been delivering services to Canberra’s women and their families since 2001.

To-day, together with a clinical practice in Canberra, she shares her wit and inspirations offering safe and powerful Aquanatal exercise and Massage Therapies to Canberra expecting, birthed women and their families and friends.

Research revealed that continuing modified exercise after conception, if exercised before, or gently starting as early as comfortable, if didn’t exercise before pregnancy, gradually building up intensity up to 150-300 min/week, brings the most significant health benefits to both, Mum and Bub.

  • Find joyful social musical environment, make friends
  • Chat in water doing brain-storming
  • Access a self-paced learning of topics 
  • Learn easy strategies to prevent pregnancy, birth and baby’s complications
  • Be proactive to implement those strategies to achieve well pregnancy, better birth and strong baby
  • Build stronger core, pelvic floor, tone your heart and body, boost your mood and “exercise” your baby
  • It is recommended to prepare your body before conception as pregnancy challenges skeletal, ligamental, fascial and muscular integrity. Aquanatal classes, where Dad/birth partner join for FREE, and REMEDIAL THERAPY SUPPORT via BUNDLES designed to build pain-free stronger Mum, resilient Bub and tuned in Dad/partner.    

Aquanatal exercise has been researched and revealed an amazing benefits for women. Water adds protective and supportive environment in that way that even heavily pregnant women can exercise safely “till labour sets in”. Women –  exercisers – resort to less pain relieve in labour such as EPIDURALS. That can reduce the chance of INSTRUMENTAL DELIVERIES AND C-SECTIONS. Water dissolves stress and recharges body and mind in unique way that only water can do. Being exposed to exercise all over the year, especially in winter, helps to create stronger non-specific immunity to resist seasonal colds.

Dancing in water and laughing along with other women, sharing stories and a bite-to-eat, being guided by practicing Midwife-instructor will immensely support your beautiful Self and your forming Little One.

Regular exercise in pregnancy helps to reduce chances of high blood pressure and preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, overly large macrosomic baby, back pain and much more.

HOW TO JOIN

Please download the “Registration” and “Clearance” forms by clicking the boxes below. Please email back both completed forms

[email protected]

Alternatively paper forms are provided at the pool before class. 

~ Melisha Wheeler ~

I joined for 2 terms for the weightless exercise during pregnancy. I got the benefits of endurance, breathing and Ira’s great knowledge and advice on maternal and child health. Each session was challenging and calming and just what I was looking for during my pregnancy. I highly recommend it to others.

~ Lona Stenhouse ~

Ira May’s Aquanatals was fantastic! It was not only a great way to stay active during pregnancy, I loved getting to meet other Mums-to-be and found the information given during the classes on pregnancy and labour very useful.

~ Sophie Sam Hakim~

I joined Ira’s class during my second trimester and I am absolutely loving it! The classes are fun, educational and I feel so relaxed and painfree after each class. The casual class on a Friday fits my schedule perfectly. Lovely to meet other local mums as well.

~ Jeevan Kaur ~

I joined Ira’s Aquanatal classes in my second trimester of pregnancy and i loved them!
I was bit reluctant to join since i dont know how to swim but Ira made sure i was comfortable in water and never pushed me to do anything.
Aquanatal classes are really great! They helped me alot as after joining these classes i felt a big relief on my back pain and they helped me to move my body in pregnancy. Ira is really great in making these classes really easy, engaging and educational for everyone. I learnt so much about pregnancy and labour from Ira during these classes since this is my first pregnancy.
I would highly recommend anyone to join these classes!

~ Jenn Richards ~

I’ve been attending Ira’s Aquanatal classes during my second and third trimester of pregnancy. Ira delivers an upbeat class (with upbeat tunes), in a relaxed way making all feel welcome and included. Although usually exhausted after work, I found I looked forward to the classes on Wednesday evening after a long day. Not only was I exercising but it relieved any back/hip and pelvic pain I was experiencing. On top of having the benefits of exercise and relief of aches and pains the class was also educational in the preparation of birth and social, meeting like wise women in a supportive environment. Would definitely recommend these classes to all pregnant women, whether it’s your first pregnancy or subsequent pregnancies. As for myself, I will be continuing classes until my little one is due, which is anytime soon!!

~ Jen Versey ~

I attended Ira May’s stunning studio for a pregnancy massage. After attending may different type of massage studios i can tell when a practitioner knows what they are doing. She tailored the treatment as required during the session. Its so fantastic to have a pregnancy massage from a midwife as she completely understands what is needed. Her medical background will also be an asset for all types of massage as well. Ira and her studio is a very calming and welcoming.

~ Nikki Williams ~

A massage with Ira May is always blissful and relaxing. Massages and massage oils are tailored to each visit to meet your needs and wants. I’ve been seeing Ira May for a few years now and she is a true blessing during pregnancy and I feel safer knowing she is a qualified midwife. I hobble in and float out after she has soothed away my aches and pains. Each massage is divine! I highly recommend.

~ J Jakab ~

I had a pregnancy massage at Ira May Family Massage. It was tailored to my individual needs and I left there feeling great. The studio is a really beautiful space to relax in afterwards. Highly recommended and I will be booking again.

~ Rufus Turner ~

I’ve come to Irina for injuries, to help with stiffness and muscle relaxation. I always have a great experience. The studio is a very calming atmosphere, and Irina has great talent and always listens to understand and best address the problem.

~ Dharaaa P ~

I have had massage treatments for my shoulder and back problems at Ira’s studio and have enjoyed it thoroughly. I would highly recommend her!! specifically if you need a few treatments, her family bundles are very affordable.

~ Hoai Nguyen ~

Ira’s aquanatal classes were the one thing I looked forward to each week during my pregnancy – it was therapeutic, educational, social, relaxing and fun! I learnt so much while also keeping active – the fitness level involved was perfect for my second and third trimester and Ira’s midwifery knowledge was so useful for my first pregnancy. Plus having the opportunity to socialise and learn about other pregnancy journeys from mums-to-be and share tips was a bonus. Definitely recommend! Also, as a massage addict, also highly recommend Ira’s pregnancy massage service that she also offers 🙂

~ Cherry madayag ~

Highly recommended for pregnancy and postpartum mums. Ira guided me to perform effective & safe exercises with my growing bump until late into my trimester. I was able to do high intensity exercise without pelvic pain (that I usually experience when training on land). Her guidance and education are very helpful in my pregnancy journey..

$20/class/15classes+$90/60min/5 massage treatments-health funds avail, no expiry date, share with family/friend. 

$750(your savings $300)

$25/class/15 classes-no health funds

 $375

5 flexible classes+60 min pregnancy massage-health funds avail. 

$300

$30/class/5 regular classes(Cancellation policy applied)-no health funds

$150classes

5 regular(Cancellation policy applied) classes+60min massage -health funds avail.

 $250

$40/class/5 flexible classes-no health funds 

$200

1 flexible class+60 min massage-health funds avail.

$150

10 flexible classes(to be used within 15 weeks)-no health funds

$350

60-90 min assessment and Treatment-health funds avail. 

$140-$160

60 minX5 Remedial/Relaxation massage treatments-health funds avail, no expiry date, share with family/friends.

$500