Stroller parking, nutritious pregnancy foods, and the chance to meet their future pediatrics providers were just a few of the things that maternity patients and their supporters encountered at Madigan Army Medical Center's first Baby Fair on Jan. 24.
More than 300 people attended the fair, which focused on providing education on subjects related to pregnancy and newborns as well as highlighting Madigan's obstetrics and pediatrics services.
"Having a baby is one of those life events that will change yours forever and we want to make sure that your experience of having your baby and beyond is everything that you want it to be," said Col. Ramona Fiorey, the commander of Madigan, which delivers about 2400 babies each year.
Patients could choose from more than 15 sessions to attend at the fair, in which experts answered questions on subjects such as pregnancy nutrition and fitness, car seat safety, infertility options, and more.
One of the most popular sessions was the breastfeeding and lactation class, which debunked myths about breastfeeding while encouraging new moms to attend Madigan's prenatal breastfeeding class and to learn more about the subject before giving birth.
"Breastfeeding is a learned skill," said Maria Walden, a lactation consultant at Madigan, where lactation consultants are available for both in- and outpatients.
She encouraged new dads to be supportive of their partners breastfeeding, since their encouragement can make the difference in whether new moms continue to learn this sometimes difficult skill.
"It's important for dads to learn all they can about breastfeeding. How does it work? How can they help?" she said.
Expecting mom Felicity Schweitzer, a sergeant with the 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, attended the session with her husband Pfc. Jonah Atkinson. Since they are both active duty, Schweitzer said they often don't get to go to prenatal appointments together to learn about what to expect with their new baby.
"It allowed us to get the information together and get out the questions that we (have)," said Schweitzer of the Baby Fair. They also attended the New Parent Support Program session, a service that Atkinson said he plans to use as a new dad.
The program, which is a part of Army Community Services, recognizes that military life creates unique stressors for new parents, such as the strains from deployments and being separated from family and friends.
"We're here to prevent that from being overwhelming," said Amy Dyer, a registered nurse with the New Parent Support Program, which offers education, play groups, and home visits with a social worker or community health nurse to offer home education, support, and resources and referrals.
Stress relief was another popular session at the fair, in which patients learned about stressors specific to being pregnant, trying to get pregnant, and having a newborn in the house.
"It changes everything, and therefore you feel more stressed," said Dr. Kristi Shearer, a clinical psychologist with Madigan's Department of Behavioral Health Child and Family Service Lane.
She encouraged expecting and new parents to engage in active coping skills, to include increasing their support network (talking to a friend for just 30 minutes a week significantly reduces stress) and asking for help.
At the pregnancy fitness session, new dads-to-be tried on maternity suits to glean an idea of how exercising can be more challenging for their pregnant partners. Madigan providers encourage expecting moms to continue exercising safely throughout their pregnancies.
"If you were doing it before you were pregnant, you can usually continue to do it," said Capt. Lakesha Williams, a public health nurse at Madigan. She cautioned pregnant patients to first follow their doctors' advice on whether they should exercise, however.
The session emphasized that women's centers of gravity shift when they are pregnant, which is why they're encouraged to do centering exercises. In addition, Williams and her fellow presenters encouraged pregnant patients to engage in low-impact exercises while monitoring their heart rates and breathing -- if they can't talk while exercising, they should take a break. Stretching exercises can also help with hip and back stress.
The three-hour fair culminated with tours of the Birthing Center and Mother-Baby Unit, allowing expecting parents to view the area where they will soon deliver their newborns.
The Baby Fair did more than just educate expecting parents -- it also encouraged them.
While parents-to-be Elevetine and Trustan Rice gained useful information in sessions on labor signs and car seat safety, Trustan really appreciated the increased assurance he got as he gets ready to become a first-time dad.
"I don't know anything about babies, but this educates me about the pregnancy," said Rice, a sergeant with 9th Finance. "(I) definitely feel a lot more confident."
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