On Saturday, April 9, at the University of North Alabama, the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions welcomed expectant mothers, families, and siblings to the Tiny Cubs Community Baby Shower. This was a free community event during which mothers-to-be learned about basic prenatal and baby care from senior-level nursing students, clinical supervisors, and faculty from the College. Participants received a free gift bag and had opportunities to win items such as car seats, pack-n-plays, breast pumps, and more. 

This spring's community baby shower was very successful and doubled its participation from last fall. Nursing students, along with faculty and supervisors, provided education to the local perinatal community on a variety of topics, including:

• prenatal care
• nutrition
• what to expect during labor
• breathing techniques
• basic newborn care
• breastfeeding
• newborn safety

Melissa DeFoor, co-organizer and Lecturer of Maternity Nursing at UNA, said that participants were so thankful for the event and were pleased with the resources offered. Several birthing facilities attended as well as several local vendors. People were excited and ready to rally behind the cause.

Creating the Project

This project was created by faculty from the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of North Alabama. Melissa DeFoor, Lecturer of Maternity Nursing, and Dr. Ann-Marie Irons, Assistant Professor of Nursing, had a vision to improve perinatal care across the community through a fun, baby shower-like event. They received grant and professorship funding to bring this vision to life in Fall 2021. Senior-level nursing students provided the perinatal community with education on topics such as perinatal nutrition, fetal wellbeing, stages and phases of labor, pain management during labor, breastfeeding, postpartum care, and basic newborn care and safety.

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