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BUSINESS NEWS - Pregnancy and parenting come with plenty of questions.
When should I have a sonar? How do I know whether my baby can hear properly? What can I do if I struggle to breastfeed? And how on earth do I handle those toddler tantrums?
Easycare Family Health Clinics hopes to answer some of these questions while creating a fun morning for the whole family at its Mom & Me Family Health Expo, taking place in George on Friday 16 October from 09:00 to 12:00.
The idea behind the expo is simple: to bring healthcare professionals, family-focused services and parents together in one relaxed and accessible environment.
Rather than parents having to search for information and services separately, the expo gives them an opportunity to meet local professionals, listen to short talks, ask questions and learn more about the support available to families in the George community.
Something for every stage of the parenting journey
The morning’s speaker programme covers topics ranging from pregnancy through to the early childhood years.
Podiatrist Engela Otto will open the programme at 09:00 with a talk on caring for your feet during pregnancy. At 09:30, midwife Melissa van der Merwe will discuss what mothers can do when they struggle with breastfeeding.
At 10:00, counsellor Thea Castle will talk about post-partum depression, an important issue that is not always spoken about openly enough.
At 10:30, play therapist Lizette du Plessis will tackle “Big feelings in little people”, offering insight into children’s emotions and behaviour.
At 11:00, Anica Rossouw of Fetal Sonography will explain sonars during pregnancy, including when they are performed and what parents can expect.
The programme concludes at 11:30 with audiologist and speech therapist Riani van Aardt, who will answer the important question: “How to talk to my baby”.
The short-talk format is intended to provide practical information that parents can understand and use, while also giving them an opportunity to discover professionals and services available locally.
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You learn, they play
The organisers have also made sure that attending an expo does not mean expecting young children to sit quietly for three hours.
While parents explore the stalls and listen to the speakers, their children can enjoy face painting, balloon animals and bouncy castles.
A variety of exhibitors will also be showcasing products, services and resources for pregnancy, babies, young children and families.
Collect, explore and stand a chance to win
Visitors will receive a special Mom’s Passport to take with them as they make their way around the expo.
Moms can visit participating exhibitors, learn more about what they offer and collect stamps along the way. Once the passport has been completed, it can be entered into the Mom & Me Lucky Draw.
There will also be a Mom & Me Photo Competition, giving families an opportunity to capture a special memory from the day and stand a chance to win a prize.
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Bringing information closer to families
Clinical nurse practitioner Jeanita le Roux says the motivation behind the event is to make reliable information and professional support easier for families to access.
“Parents have so many questions, particularly during pregnancy and the first few years of a child’s life. Sometimes you don’t necessarily need a formal consultation - you simply need an opportunity to ask the right person a question and understand where you can go for help.”
Le Roux says the team wanted the expo to feel welcoming rather than clinical. “We wanted to bring different professionals together in one place and create a morning where parents can learn and connect, but where families can also relax and have fun. Our idea is really: you learn, they play.”
Event details
The Mom & Me Family Health Expo takes place at 53 Albert Street, corner of Meade and Albert Street, George, across from Easycare, from 09:00 to 12:00 on Friday 16 October.
Entrance is free.
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