Inaugural Baby Fair a hit at Clark Memorial Hospital

By DANIEL SUDDEATH
Daniel.Suddeath@newsandtribune.com

April 04, 2009 08:30 pm

— Ashley and Ashley Fleming share marriage, the same first name and an appreciation for facts when it comes to the delivery of their second child.
On Saturday, they were loaded with door prizes and information while attending Clark Memorial Hospital’s inaugural Baby Fair — a gathering of doctors, vendors and staff giving soon-to-be parents a look at the hospital’s baby-delivering atmosphere.
“It has been a lot fun. We really like it and everyone is so friendly,” husband Ashley Fleming said. He pushed the stroller carrying their toddler, Lydia, while mother Ashley Fleming asked questions.
“I wanted to know how many people could be in the birthing area, and if you labored and delivered in the same room,” she said.
The couple said Lydia was delivered at a different hospital, but they were so impressed with Clark Memorial following the fair, they will likely choose it for their next child.
Laura Sparks, director of women’s and children’s services for Clark Memorial, was nearly teary-eyed when she observed the flood of people who showed up for the event.
“I’ve been here for 25 years, and we [started] with two little labor and delivery rooms, then to see it grow like this. Whenever I saw the people walking in the door, it just gave me goosebumps,” she said.
Clark Memorial delivered more than 1,500 babies in 2008, according to Mary Jennings, spokeswoman for the hospital. Midwives working with doctors and allowing parents to submit their own birth plans are some of the unique characteristics of the hospital, Jennings said.
The fair allowed the hospital to highlight the various options and features of its delivery department.
“We are just trying to showcase everything women might be interested in learning about as they prepare to have children,” Jennings said. “We have everything under one roof so they can learn about healthy options.”
But not everything was serious in nature. There was a fashion show that even highlighted what mothers from decades ago wore when they were expecting. The hospital handed out goody bags to attendees, and there was a boot camp class that featured new fathers bringing in their babies to talk about their experiences with soon-to-be dads.
There also were approximately 40 vendors providing information about baby products and services.
“It kind of grows out of what we’ve done,” Jennings said, adding the hospital hopes to have another baby fair next year. “It’s been a good mix of education and toys — we’ve got everything.”

SO YOU KNOW
• Clark Memorial delivered more than 1,500 babies last year.

ON THE WEB
• For more information about Clark Memorial Hospital's Family Birth Place Center, to see the schedule of Family Birth Place Center classes or to see a physician’s reference guide, visit the hospital online at www.clarkmemorial.org

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