St. Francis to stage community baby shower

St. Francis Medical Center is sponsoring a community baby shower to help women understand what they can do for the health of their baby during their pregnancy and even before conceiving.

This educational event will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 26, in Conference Rooms 3 and 4 at St. Francis Medical Center.

Participants will be able to tour the Family Birthing Center and find information about educational resources available in the community. There will also be the opportunity to preregister for classes to learn about childbirth preparation, breastfeeding and more.

In true baby shower tradition, the afternoon will include games, gifts for everyone and refreshments. There also will be a grand prize drawing for an infant car seat.

"Research shows that mothers can do a lot to ensure they have a safe and healthy pregnancy -- even before conception," said Lana McCoy, outreach education coordinator with the St. Francis Family Birthing Center. "This is a fun, relaxed atmosphere in which to provide important information to women and promote the services that are available in our community."

The event is sponsored by a community grant from the March of Dimes and the St. Francis Medical Center Foundation.

This is the second of four similar baby shower events planned. The next two are scheduled for Oct. 18 and Jan. 24 so women can pick a date that works for them.

Women are encouraged to attend early in their pregnancy or even if they're just thinking about becoming pregnant.