Expecting a child can be a confusing time for any new mother. For women who lack a strong support system, it can incredibly overwhelming without guidance and the information needed to have a happy and healthy pregnancy. To give every baby in the Metro East the best beginning possible, Southern Illinois Health Foundation (SIHF) will launch “Becoming a Mom/Comenzando Bien,” a six-week prenatal education series developedby the March of Dimes and funded by a $5,600 grant from the March of Dimes Illinois Chapter.
“Every mother, regardless of her age or income, deserves the prenatal education needed to protect the health of both her and her baby,” said Paula Brodie, vice president of Communications and Support Services for SIHF. “This generous grant from the March of Dimes will allow SIHF to provide a supportive, community-oriented setting for expectant moms and dads to learn about having a healthy pregnancy.”
“Becoming a Mom/Comenzando Bien” offers free group classes to provide expectant mothers with information on prenatal care, nutrition, stress, risk factors, labor and birth, postpartum care, and newborn care.
Classes are held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday nights at Touchette Regional Hospital, 5900 Bond Ave. in Centreville, Illinois and at 5 p.m. on Thursday nights at the Belleville Family Health Center, 180 S. 3rd Street in Belleville, Illinois. Mothers can register by calling 618-332-3509.
For more information on the March of Dimes, please visit www.marchofdimes.org/illinois.