SHEA Community Baby Shower helps local moms with health resources

The SHEA Community Baby Shower made its return this weekend to assist local mothers with health resources.

SHEA stands for ‘sharing, health, education, and awareness,’ and that’s exactly what happened for soon-to-be moms and mothers with the resources provided at the Community Baby Shower under the program with the Mississippi Public Health Institution.

Mothers and those expecting would hear from community guest speakers on various pre- and post-natal topics, the SHEA program serves the six coastal counties aiming to assist minority mothers, the women were able to receive free health checks and encouraged to breastfeed their babies as well while learning the benefits and how to safely.

Program Manager Kezi Jones shares more on the resources provided and the SHEA program’s impact on the day. “SHEA came about because of the health disparities that were plaguing the specific target population. So African American and Hispanic women, black women, have the lowest breastfeeding rates in the State of Mississippi. So that’s how the program first came about. We have lactation counselors that are on site, Molina Healthcare here as well doing A1C and blood pressure checks. We have pediatrics, we have mental health support services. We have oral health from the state health department. We have services that are related to nutrition, physical activity, just a plethora of services that are applicable to addressing any of those health disparities.”

Expecting mom Alexis Padgett said, “I feel like it’s beneficial to me, because it makes me feel like I have support in the community. But here they’re talking about breastfeeding, and I’ve been considering it, and I don’t know much about that, honestly, besides what drugs not to take that could cross over to the baby during breastfeeding. But again, I’m worried about pain, so I’m coming here to see if this something that I at least want to try or if it’s something that you know that’s not for me.”

“Motherhood is a journey. It is different for everyone. So, it’s just a time, to give yourself grace, know that there is support and there’s help within these communities.”

For more information visit sheahealth.org.