photo by: Mike Yoder for LMH Health/Contributed Photo

In this photo from April 29, 2018, Lawrence resident and mother of four Audrey Pool is shown at the first LMH Health Baby Shower. Pool has attended and volunteered at the Parents as Teachers exhibit for the hospital's previous two baby showers, and she plans to be at this month’s event as well.

Expecting a child can bring a rush of emotions. For Lawrence resident Audrey Pool, finding out she was pregnant with her first child brought a wave of fear.

“I was scared out of my mind,” Pool said. “With my first baby, we took classes offered at LMH Health and toured the birthing center. I knew nothing and had no social connections at that time, but the community support was so great.”

She remembers attending the Breastfeeding and New Parent Support Group at LMH Health and now, four babies later, she’s still learning.

This spring, LMH Health wants to shower you with information all about pregnancy, childbirth, parenting and more at the third LMH Health Baby Shower, planned for 2-4 p.m. Sunday, April 28 at the hospital.

“It is amazing to see the Lawrence community members come together to support families, new moms and caregivers,” Pool said.

Pool has attended and volunteered at the Parents as Teachers exhibit for the previous two baby showers, and she plans to be at this month’s event as well.

“This shower is really for everyone,” Pool said. “This event is even for those who do not have a baby yet but want to learn more about pregnancy or childbirth.”

The LMH Health Community Baby Shower will include multiple interactive activities and experts who will be able to answer your questions on a wide variety of topics. To qualify for our Pack ‘n Play door prizes, attend one of the ongoing mini sessions on Safe Sleep practices, which will be conducted by a certified Safe Sleep instructor.

“The shower is a blast,” Pool said. “You get to interact with the community, have the support of other moms and caretakers, and learn together how to be the best parent you can be.”

Beth Porter-Sakumura, LMH Health community outreach and engagement specialist, said the free event is a perfect opportunity to socialize, listen and learn.

“This event combines a lot of the resource information we offer in classes at LMH Health and puts them in one convenient location,” she said. “In the past, we have hosted more than 30 exhibitors. You will be able to learn about anything from pelvic health and perinatal/postpartum mood support to baby wearing and safe sleep.”

This event is for the whole family, including dads and grandparents. Representatives from the Healthy Dads program will be on hand, and all dads or male caregivers are encouraged to stop by their table.

“One time, we had a dad come in and he was walking around alone,” Porter-Sakumura said. “We asked him what information he was looking for and he told us his wife was currently deployed and is pregnant, so he came to learn and be better prepared for when she came home.”

— Jessica Brewer is an intern in the Marketing and Communications Department at LMH Health, which is a major sponsor of the Lawrence Journal-World’s Health section.