I just came across this in the APHA MCH newsletter and thought to pass
it on here. Looks like a great idea that can be adapted to many
settings. I don't know how much bf education happens at this particular
program, but could certainly easily be worked into the program.
Naomi Bar-Yam
> Community Baby Showers: An Outreach Event Targeting Low-Income
> Pregnant Women
> In 2004, the Alameda County Public Health Department’s Improving
> Pregnancy Outcomes Program (IPOP), a grantee of the federal Healthy
> Start program, began implementing an effective approach to reaching
> pregnant women by hosting community baby showers. In 2004, IPOP hosted
> four pilot community baby showers in targeted areas. As they became
> more popular through increased program visibility and word-of-mouth,
> attendance increased from four to 26 pregnant women, and from no
> fathers to six fathers.
>
> Community baby showers are intimate, fun celebrations with three
> purposes: case finding of target area pregnant women for case
> management services; recruitment of perinatal health workshop
> participants; and linkage of pregnant women with maternal and child
> health services and resources. Additionally, a free nutritious lunch,
> cake, gifts and child care are provided at each baby shower.
> Evaluations show that the attendees: 1) appreciated knowing that there
> are people who care about them; 2) had “a lot of fun;” 3) appreciated
> the gifts and prizes; 4) learned “a lot;” and 5) want the baby showers
> to continue. As their popularity continues to grow in 2005, an average
> of 35 pregnant women participate in each quarterly baby shower.
>
> The baby showers provide targeted women an opportunity to
> self-identify as pregnant without the stigma of being labeled
> “at-risk” for a poor birth outcome. In fact, the opposite is true —
> the women feel happy, uplifted and excited because their pregnancy is
> being supported with referrals to services, contacts with
> professionals who can answer questions, exposure to education and
> information, gifts, food and fun.
>
> The showers also offer participants an interactive, group-based,
> pregnancy basics class in a pleasant and welcoming environment.
> Selected content of the IPOP Pregnancy Basics curriculum is
> highlighted, including: stages of pregnancy; risks of smoking and
> using drugs during pregnancy; signs of preterm labor; importance of
> good nutrition, exercise and rest; and referrals to resources. In
> addition, the showers provide pregnant women with: 1) opportunities to
> talk with a pubic health nurse and/or community health outreach
> worker; 2) referrals to case management care, perinatal education
> workshops, and resources they need; and 3) the opportunity to attend
> an event honoring and supporting them.
>
> "It makes me feel happy because I am giving the mom an opportunity to
> celebrate the upcoming birth of her baby. Many times with the
> community we serve, a baby's birth is viewed as more of a burden than
> a joy. When women are able to show up at the baby shower, they are
> standing by their decision to have their baby despite all the
> obstacles.” said Yokia Mason, IPOP community education staff who
> facilitates the Pregnancy Basics portion of the agenda.
>
> Throughout the event, the attendees enter raffles of baby gifts such
> as a bed/playpen, stroller, breastfeeding boppy, bouncer, baby bathtub
> and supplies, clothes hamper, diapers, diaper bag, baby clothing,
> books etc. In addition, each woman receives a gift bag filled with
> incentive items such as a Back-to-Sleep baby t-shirt, pedometer, water
> bottle, a booklet on fetal development during each month of pregnancy,
> and baby safety gadgets such as cabinet locks, electric socket plugs,
> etc. Shower game prizes also include gifts for the expecting mother
> such as a bathrobe and slippers, a grocery or department store gift
> card, spa bag, and manicure-pedicure gift certificate to
> name a few.
>
> Written materials are provided in a participant packet of information
> covering secondhand smoke and tobacco cessation, preterm labor,
> maternal depression, kick counts, alcohol and other drugs, a
> self-referral form to case management programs, a copy of the Alameda
> County Resource Guide, and an announcement of the upcoming perinatal
> education workshop series on Pregnancy Basics and Healthy Eating &
> Living for Mom and Baby.
>
> According to IPOP health educator Dana Cruz Santana, MSW, MPH, some of
> the women who participate in the community baby showers have never had
> a baby shower during previous pregnancies or will not have one
> otherwise if they are expecting their first child. Either their
> families and friends lack the resources to have a baby shower, or the
> women have very little social support.
>
> The community baby showers have attracted wide community support
> through monetary donations, as well as baby clothes and items, and
> volunteers who assist with the publicity and hands-on coordination of
> the event.
>
> For questions or further information, contact:
> Kay Adams, MPH
> MPCAH/IPOP Health Promotion & Community Education Coordinator
> Alameda County Public Health Department
> 1000 San Leandro Blvd., Suite 100
> San Leandro, CA 94577
> [log in to unmask]
>
--------------------------------
Naomi Bar-Yam Ph.D.
[log in to unmask]
Researcher, Writer, Educator
in Maternal and Child Health
--------------------------------
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