The Villages Daily Sun

BUSHNELL — Nearly two dozen pregnant women took part in the World’s Greatest Baby Shower on Wednesday, leaving not only with parting gifts, but with vital information on pre- and postnatal care.

Thomas E. Langley Medical Center and Healthy Start of Sumter County combined efforts to organize the event at the Bushnell Community Center for soon-to-be parents.

Expectant parents Andrea Franklin and fianc/ Ben Gant attended the shower and were thrilled with their gifts.

“There are things for me, good smelling stuff, plus several baskets with baby supplies and car seats,” Franklin said. “Plus, in one of the gift bags was a book on what to do when you’re expecting, such as eating right.”

A variety of vendors provided information and goodies for the expectant mothers such as diapers, wipes, and other baby supplies and toys.

“We know there are many families expecting babies in Sumter County that would have benefited from this baby shower,” Gwen Whitehead said. “I wish they were here, but I’m glad this many women are here.”

Whitehead, care coordinator for Healthy Start at Langley Medical Center, explained the program was established in Florida in 1991 to improve the health of pregnant women and their babies.

“We provide screenings, information and have programs such as the baby shower,” she said.

In addition to the gifts, food and games, representatives from the Sumter County Health Department, Leesburg Regional Medical Center, the Sumter County Library System and Childcare Development Services were on hand to answer questions and provide additional information on childcare, preregistering for the hospital and childbirth classes.

“The shower is a great idea,” Ben Franklin said. “There’s so much stuff I don’t know. I was actually watching a movie on parenting the other day. We have to start childbirth classes pretty soon, too. But I’m not real sure about that.”

Many areas have the baby showers and Coleman resident Stacy King attended one elsewhere earlier this spring.

“In comparison, this shower is awesome. There isn’t as many people and you get more door prizes,” King said, after winning a door prize of several children’s books. “Today I got the books plus several other gifts. That’s not the case in other locations. There are so many people there, it’s hard to win one prize, much less three or four. The pack of diapers is great — you can never have too many. Plus I love to read and I love Dr. Seuss, so I’m thrilled.”

State law requires that all pregnant women and newborn babies be offered the benefit of a Healthy Start screening questionnaire. The Healthy Start screen helps health care providers determine if mother and baby can benefit from the program.

Whitehead stressed that Healthy Start eligibility is not based on income. Participation is approved if a pregnant woman or child, birth to 3 years old, has identified risks or needs that may lead to poor health.

“The goal when the program was created was to decrease incidents of infant mortality and morbidity,” Whitehead said. “We try to decrease risks through prenatal screenings and parent education.”

Through Langley Medical Center, Healthy Start offers classes in parenting, breast feeding, behavioral health, smoking cessation and dental health. For more information on Healthy Start, call Thomas E. Langley Medical Center at 793-5900.

Patricia Steele is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 7992, or patricia.steele@thevillagesmedia.com.