The Inside Track on Maternity Fairs
Maternity fairs can be an exciting way to gather plenty of pregnancy info in one trip. Lexington has two major local events planned this spring for expectant moms.
Maternity fairs often feature booths where pediatricians, obstetricians, midwives, breastfeeding consultants, and many more professionals can meet expectant families and share information about their services. We’ve gathered a few tips about how to approach a maternity fair to get the most out of your experience:
- Register in advance. You can usually register the day of at some events, but if you hop on the computer ahead of time, you can sometimes skip a line and get inside quicker.
- Preprint labels for contests! Many vendors will hold contests or raffles that you enter by filling out an entry card. By having a sheet of labels with your name and contact info, you can save time and a hand cramp.
- Bring a big bag. Bring a large purse and a pocket folder to carry around. You will get tons of handouts and papers to read later, so keep them all organized as you browse.
- Come with an open mind. You may have written up a very specific birth plan, but take the opportunity to consider all the choices available to you.
- Ask questions! Don’t be embarrassed to talk to the experts on hand. That is what they are there for. Take advantage of having so many resources in one location.
If You Go:
Baptist Health Lexington: The Expecting Great Things maternity fair will be held on April 26 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Keeneland Entertainment Center. Register at the door. For more info: http://centralbap.com/News/Hospital+Events/Expecting+Great+Things+Maternity+Event+Set+for+April+26
Baptist Health will feature Dr. Harvey Karp, author of “The Happiest Baby on the Block,” who will share secrets of how to calm a crying child and encourage sleep. The grand prize at Expecting Great Things is a free delivery at Baptist Health or a crib and dresser set from Nursery Time.
The Women’s Hospital at St. Joseph East: The 15th Annual Maternity Fair will be May 10 from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at The Women’s Hospital at 170 N. Eagle Creek Dr. Preregistration opens April 15. To register visit http://www.kentuckyonehealth.org/maternityfair
St. Joseph will have a panel of obstetricians, pediatricians, an anesthesiologist and a sleep expert. In addition to prizes throughout the day, the grand prize will be a free delivery at the Women’s Hospital at St. Joseph East. Parents can also cheer on their babies in The Diaper Derby, a “baby crawling race” for infants 12 months or younger at 12:15 p.m.