Early and regular prenatal and infant care is vital for healthy babies.  The US Census Bureau reported, based on their 2019 American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 22.1% of people are living in poverty in Christian County. For these individuals, the lack of income many times results in inadequate access to health care and resources. Combine that with a global pandemic and the health of expectant mothers and their babies becomes a real concern.

 In response to the above issues, Christian County held a two part Virtual/Drive-Thru World’s Greatest Baby Shower on January 28^th and February 4^th, 2021. The Christian County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with Sanctuary Inc., Christian County Public School Family and Youth Resource Centers and the Christian County Health Department.

 The baby shower was a free educational virtual program held on zoom for Christian County’s expectant mothers or mothers of a child under one year of age. The program covered topics such as prenatal nutrition, newborn nutrition, safe sleep, breasting and latch among many others. The “Ask-an-Expert” session allowed participants to ask questions to three local health care providers including a Nurse Practitioner, Registered Dietician, and Certified Lactation Consultant. Nineteen expectant mothers ranging in age from 20-38 attended.

Individuals who participated in the zoom and completed an online evaluation qualified to attend a drive-thru event held the following week. At the drive-thru even participants received prenatal and newborn supplies.

Post program evaluations showed that 100% of the participants found the information useful and 90% learned something they did not know. Many participants shared that they planned to make changes following the seminar such as; changing their diet, giving their child water instead of juice, changing their sleeping arrangements (no longer co-sleeping), and not being afraid to ask for help when they become overwhelmed.

 Some of the comments on the evaluations were: “This program is such a blessing to me!”; “Great Information! Everything was so helpful! Thank you so much!”; “I just love rehearing information. It’s been 3 years and you forget a lot!” Since having the event we were told that a few of the participants have contacted the lactation consultant as well as the dietician to schedule an appointment.