All about the babies Citywide shower mixes fun, serious messages

The McGuffey Centre event focused on care before and after a baby’s birth.

By LINDA M. LINONIS

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — Some crying and a little fussing by the babies and toddlers at a baby shower hosted Monday by the Associated Neighborhood Centers at McGuffey Centre, 1649 Jacobs Road, provided the perfect lead-in for a presentation on shaken-baby syndrome.

Noreen Edwards, lactation consultant at St. Elizabeth Health Center, and Diane Lockett, registered nurse in the neonatal special care unit at St. Elizabeth’s for Akron Children’s Hospital, presented an 11-minute video, “Portrait of Promise,” on three babies whose lives were radically changed after they were shaken.

The film noted that an adult’s loss of control that leads to violent shaking of a baby or a child causes the brain to slam against the skull. Shaking also causes damage to the retinas and spinal cord. The film made this comparison — shake partially set gelatin and watch it separate and shake it harder and watch it turn to liquid. Shaking a baby or toddler can cause irreversible harm such as brain damage, blindness, paralysis, seizures and fractures. Some babies die.

The film emphasized that a moment of thoughtlessness by an adult can change a young life or end it. But, it noted the act of violence is completely preventable and avoidable.

After the film, Lockett underscored the film’s message by telling her audience, “Make sure you have a support system.” She said crying babies do put stress on their caregivers, who sometimes have to remove themselves from interaction with the baby or toddler.

The baby shower, the second annual, took place on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day for a reason, said Jennifer Miller, executive director of Associated Neighbors Centers. “We know that Dr. King was a civil rights leader but he also was interested in health care for the underserved.”

The event, which Miller said attracted about 100 mothers, some fathers, and their babies and toddlers, focused on prenatal care and services after the birth.

Dr. Rodney E. Hill, who works in obstetrics, gynecology and infertility with Associates in Women’s Health of the Mahoning Valley Inc., was the keynote speaker. His talk, ironically, was delayed because he was delivering a baby.

He told the gathering he had three important concepts to share: Get prenatal care, ask questions of your doctor and don’t hesitate about seeking care even if you don’t have insurance or other coverage. “Don’t let that be a hindrance,” he said.

The afternoon event wasn’t all serious subjects — participants also played some games to win prizes and to get acquainted with others at the event.

The Rev. Gwen Alexander, special projects coordinator at McGuffey Centre and pastor of Phillips Memorial Baptist Church, told participants that “being a parent is a gift from God.”

She also advised those in attendance “to take advantage of what is being offered.” She said the event was a good source of information.

Among those seeking information and camaraderie with other mothers was Elaina Dean of Youngstown, a registered nurse and a mother of two older children. Her due date is Wednesday.

Friends Jolene Rodgers of Struthers, with her 4-month-old daughter, Alaina, and Kristin Williamson of Austintown with her 4-month-old son, Alexander, agreed the event was a great way to help new mothers. “It’s a good source of information,” said Rodgers. “I came to learn about some programs,” said Williamson.

Teeaira Nickerson of Youngstown attended with her year-old daughter, Danasia, and said she wanted to get health-related information. Expectant mother Letaya McKinley of Youngstown, accompanied by her daughter, TeNya, 2, also “came to learn about what’s available.”