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    WBAMC holds installation-wide baby shower

    WBAMC holds installation-wide baby shower

    Photo By Marcy Sanchez | William Beaumont Army Medical Center held its 3rd annual installation-wide baby shower...... read more read more

    FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

    08.30.2016

    Story by Marcy Sanchez  

    William Beaumont Army Medical Center

    William Beaumont Army Medical Center held its third annual Baby Shower for expecting moms across Fort Bliss and El Paso who are service members or dependents at the Family Resilience Center, Fort Bliss, Aug. 19.

    The day-long shower included informational booths, resources and educational classes focusing on breastfeeding, nutrition, WBAMC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Clinic operations and ended with baby-oriented gift baskets which were donated to all attendees including a raffle for bigger baby prizes.

    Although WBAMC staff organized the shower, donations were made possible by local organizations to show their support for military families. The shower also provided opportunities to educate expecting moms who may not have had the opportunity to learn about breastfeeding, proper nutrition and WBAMC’s L&D ward.

    “Opening the shower to all () expecting moms does offer attendees the opportunity to become familiar with WBAMC’s operations,” said Staff Sgt. Amanda Marion, noncommissioned officer in charge, Department of Women’s Health Clinic, WBAMC. “Not every (medical facility) teaches the same way regarding pregnancy.”

    According to Marion, over 350 expecting moms have been able to get additional support through the program over the past three years.

    This year’s shower supported over 150 expecting moms at Fort Bliss. For first-time moms, Shannon Staats and Brittany Barnard, the shower demonstrated the support not only from local organizations but also from other participants of the shower.

    “I think it’s helpful for a lot of the first-time moms that don’t really know what to expect,” said Staats, spouse of Capt. Benjamin Staats, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. “With people not being from here, they may not get a baby shower, this is an opportunity to make them feel special.”

    Staats, a native of Millbrook, Alabama, plans to deliver her baby at WBAMC but said she wasn’t fully aware of the benefits of breastfeeding until the presentation at the shower.

    “I thought the breastfeeding class was good,” said Staats, who has only attended birthing classes at WBAMC.

    Barnard, spouse of Pfc. Ryan Barnard, 1/1 Cav, 2nd BCT, 1st AD, said she’s learning a lot from the presentations and taking in information that wasn’t presented to her at other hospitals.

    “I took a lot from the breastfeeding class,” said Barnard, a native of Perryville, Arkansas. “(The shower) helps you have your own support system and support team here.”

    Marion, a mother of one, said when she gave birth to her daughter five years ago, this type of support didn’t exist. Because of her own experience, she tries to empathize with expecting moms and what they’re going through in hopes that the baby shower helps them find the resources they need.

    “Children don’t have the decision to be born into the military,” said Marion. “If we offer (expecting moms) the support from the very beginning they will know who they can go to for any needs.”

    For more information on WBAMC’s women’s health services visit www.wbamc.amedd.army.mil

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.30.2016
    Date Posted: 08.30.2016 12:24
    Story ID: 208500
    Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US
    Hometown: BURLINGTON, MA, US
    Hometown: MILLBROOK, AL, US
    Hometown: PERRYVILLE, AR, US

    Web Views: 45
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN