 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Erica Thomas, Suzanne Herron, RN, NP, C, MPH, Sonia Cruz, BSW, and Judy Donlen, RN, DNSc, JD. Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, Atlantic City, Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative, 2500 McClellan Ave. #250, Pennsauken, NJ 08109
Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Atlantic City (HMHBAC) is a program of the Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative (SNJPC) a Maternal Child Health Consortium (MCHC). HMHBAC Case Managers and representatives from other HMHBAC member agencies voiced a concern about the lack of paternal involvement during pregnancy.
The With Child event was developed to increase paternal involvement during the prenatal and post partum periods. Three male community leaders were recruited to wear “Empathy Bellies” for a day, while they conducted business as usual, as well as make a visit to the clinic, the WIC office, participate in a childbirth class, or purchase items from the grocery store. Prior to the Big Event, the men received birth announcement cards delivered by the HMHBAC stork mascot.
Activities were planned to take place within a few blocks in center city, so the men could walk to their appointments and draw more visibility. During the day the men participated in a childbirth class, and visited the maternity unit, including a stop in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The event culminated with each man giving a brief statement of the impact of his experience at a “Baby Shower” luncheon.
The event drew considerable media coverage, both in print and television. Based on the success of this program, we were asked to conduct a similar version at a local school with three eighth graders. HMHBAC plans to replicate this event with other participants and in other settings.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Maternal and Child Health, Family Involvement
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am an employee of the Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative.