This summer, the Parent Resource Center (PRC) and the Katz Women’s Hospital at North Shore University Hospital are collaborating to present Mother Knows Best: An in-person (at the PRC) three-part summer series on maternal health.
The PRC is an important part of the Port Washington community in bringing together families with young children to play, learn, grow, and make life-long friendships.
The New Motherhood Series is a three-part series that provides new mothers in the community with the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge from experts on caring for themselves and their babies.
“We’ve been speaking to North Shore University Hospital on ways that we can partner, and they were able to provide this to us,” said PRC executive director Nicole Asselta. “It’s a great way for us to not only work with expectant moms but also to increase awareness of postpartum depression and anxiety, postpartum health and prenatal health.”
One of PRC’s main focuses is making the first connections for new parents in the community. In line with this mission, the PRC hosts a new mother-of-infants support group and a developmental playgroup. However, the New Motherhood Series differs from the other events and groups because of its collaboration with Katz Women’s Hospital.
As a social worker, Asselta facilitates the mothers-of-infants support group. The group creates friendships and a safe space to speak. However, the new series provides new and expecting mothers a unique opportunity.
“It’s a great opportunity for new and expecting mothers to be face to face with mental health professionals, doctors, nurses and other social workers who specialize in postpartum care,” said Asselta. “Normally, I would just be referring, but here is a chance to meet with a panel and discuss specific issues.”
In addition, Katz Women’s Hospital is putting together a packet on community resources and hotlines for participants and the PRC.
“If it’s 2 a.m. and they can’t reach me, they now have this packet of resources,” said Asselta. “I think it is really valuable to the community.”
The New Motherhood Series is offering the following three events:
Maternal Mental Health: Tuesday, July 23, 10 a.m. in the Parent Resource Center Land Classroom.
This session will focus on perinatal anxiety, depression, and baby blues, where you can find the help you need. Available resources will be presented, and the session will end with a PFCC meditation.
Navigating the 4th trimester: Tuesday, July 30, 10 a.m. in the Parent Resource Center Land Classroom.
This session will focus on breastfeeding challenges and solutions! It will also talk about birth control options.
Knowledge is Power: Tuesday, August 6, at 10 a.m. in the Parent Resource Center Land Classroom
This session will focus on understanding the risk of high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, and diabetes. It will include free blood pressure screenings and ways to decode confusing insurance.
These classes are free for PRC members and $5 (per session) for nonmembers. Scholarships are available to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to attend.
All sessions are bilingual (Spanish/English) or will have Spanish interpretation. Classes will occur in the Parent Resource Center’s (232 Main St.) Land Classroom.
“We ensure that all of our programs are affordable for the community,” said Asselta. “We have bilingual providers who will translate with an FM headset. A really important part of what we offer at the PRC is interpretation.”
The PRC and the Katz Women’s Hospital look forward to hosting the New Motherhood Series for the community. They have previously collaborated on programs such as a pool safety program and a CPR session.
“We’re looking to work with them and all sorts of early childhood and parenting workshops,” said Asselta. “It just seems like a natural collaboration between the two of us. So we’re hoping to expand this series and look into other areas of early childhood health and wellness to collaborate on.”
To register for one or all sessions, visit parentresource.org/upcoming
