STHS Baby Bump & Beyond Expo, August 24th

Mega Doctor News

Every year, millions of women in the United States welcome new life into the world. In 2023 alone, more than 3.59 million babies were born nationwide, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 400,000 of them in Texas alone.

While it can be a rewarding experience, motherhood can also be more difficult than expected. In fact, around two-thirds of mothers say being a parent is harder than they thought it would be, according to a survey by Pew Research, while 30 percent said it was a lot harder than they’d imagined.

Being a mother requires a lot of time, energy, sacrifice, commitment and patience, with the everyday routine, responsibility and emotional weight impacting the lives of many moms, especially first-time ones. 

- Advertisement -

But education that focuses on what expectant mothers can do prior to and during their pregnancies can help increase the chances of having a healthy baby, especially since the time it takes to prepare their bodies for childbirth varies from person to person. Preparation might take a few months for some, but it may take longer for others. 

Additionally, transitioning into parenthood poses additional challenges such as learning new skills like diaper changing, breastfeeding and settling an inconsolable child, all while physically recovering from the delivery process and dealing with sleep deprivation.

So, to help alleviate some of the stress that comes with preparing for childbirth and parenthood, The Maternity Center at South Texas Health System will host its second annual Baby Bump & Beyond Expo on Saturday, August 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Taking place at South Texas Health System Edinburg, the free community event will include special presentations aimed at addressing concerns about the labor and delivery process, as well as caring for your baby — and yourself — once they’re born.

Topics will include infant health, breast-feeding, care post-delivery, adjusting to parenting and postpartum depression.

“Motherhood can bring about feelings of joy, excitement and love; but it can also be extremely stressful, especially for first-time moms. From worrying about making the right decisions about prenatal and post-partum care to the emotional struggles mothers face after the baby’s arrival, including feelings of guilt, anxiety and loneliness, it can be exhausting and overwhelming for many,” says Tom Castañeda, System Director of Marketing & Public Relations, South Texas Health System. “By hosting our Baby Bump & Beyond Expo, The Maternity Center at STHS Edinburg and STHS McAllen hope to better prepare Valley women for motherhood. Expectant mothers will have the chance to hear from healthcare leaders in a variety of subjects related to pregnancy, labor and delivery and the life adjustments required due to their arrival of their new bundle of love. And they’ll get the chance to get answers to their most pressing questions in a room with women experiencing the same excitement and anxiety.”

The expo will also feature healthy cooking demonstrations, pregnancy- and post-pregnancy-safe exercise classes, no-cost health screenings, raffle prizes and a community resource expo featuring community organizations, agencies and businesses providing important services to expectant and new moms. 

In addition, attendees will have an opportunity to tour The Maternity Center at STHS Edinburg, as well as learn more about The Maternity Center at STHS McAllen.

“They say that preparation is key. That’s especially true when it comes to the arrival of a new addition to your family,” says Castañeda. “By taking a hospital maternity tour, moms-to-be will get all the information they’ll need to make their day of delivery go as seamlessly as possible, including learning where to report they arrive at the hospital in labor, becoming more acquainted with the setup of the facility’s delivery and postpartum rooms, nursery and waiting rooms, and meeting some of the labor and delivery nurses and staff who may be working when you go into labor and give birth. It’s all important information that can help reduce an expectant mom’s stress levels when they rush to the hospital.” 

For more information on STHS Edinburg’s Baby Bump & Beyond Expo, visit STHSWellness.com or STHS’s Facebook Events page or call the STHS Marketing Department at (956) 388-2020.

- Advertisement -