Optima Health hosts baby shower to support expectant mothers

Healthcare experts were available to provide expectant mothers with education and advice.

Optima Health’s Maternal Child Health Outreach Team hosted a baby shower on October 12 at the Bon Secours Memorial Regional Center in Mechanicsville, Va. As part of Optima Health’s Welcoming Baby Program, 17 expectant mothers, along with their partners and family members, were provided education and expert advice to ensure they were prepared for their pregnancies and beyond. Expectant mothers were also provided goodie bags full of parenting essentials.

Guest speakers from Optima Health, Ovia Health, and Urban Baby Beginnings were on hand to provide insight and information on what to expect during pregnancy and childbirth. The mothers-to-be also had an opportunity to speak with the healthcare experts directly and connect with other expectant mothers in their community.

As part of Optima Health’s Welcoming Baby Program, the event was designed to empower attendees with the knowledge and support needed for a healthy and successful pregnancy journey. The topics of discussion included member benefits and incentives, doula services, breastfeeding tips, and an open forum for questions and answers.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to meet with these women directly,” said Chantel Neece, Optima Health’s Senior Director of Maternal/Child Services & Member SDOH. “Our Maternal Child Health Outreach Team is committed to making sure that the expectant mothers are prepared for their pregnancy journeys and motherhood. We want to make sure that they know that they are not alone during this exciting stage in their lives.”

The baby shower marked the Maternal Child Health Outreach Team’s first in-person event of the season. The team is dedicated to continuing this helpful program in the future with plans to further engage and involve expectant fathers in future events.

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