Military moms whose babies were born too soon or too sick were treated to a very special baby shower today at the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) courtesy of the March of Dimes and Operation Shower.
Moms and dads - who never had their own baby shower - received gift boxes filled with baby supplies, clothing, toys, books and much, much more courtesy of March of Dimes top corporate supporter Kmart, and many other generous donors to the March of Dimes and Operation Shower.
During the baby shower, the March of Dimes announced the re-launch of Mission: Healthy Baby(R), a program designed specifically for military families to provide free pregnancy and newborn health information and support services. The program was developed with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Ladies Auxiliary VFW.
"Having a baby is a joyful experience, but it's also one that comes with anxiety and concerns. Being in the military - whether as a serviceperson or as the partner of a serviceperson - can cause extra stress," said Liza Gene Cooper, LMSW, director, March of Dimes NICU Family Support(R). "Our Mission: Healthy Baby and NICU Family Support programs are designed to give families the information they need to cope with the stress of having a sick baby."
Very high levels of stress, such as the stress caused by a deployment, may contribute to premature birth or low birthweight in full-term babies. Military moms and dads can request Mission: Healthy Baby materials by sending their name and address to missionhealthybaby@marchofdimes.com. Special brochures are also available by calling 914-997-4257.
The Portsmouth baby shower was hosted by actress Wendy Davis, who plays the role of Lt. Colonel Joan Burton on the Lifetime Television show Army Wives. Davis' character on Army Wives is a new mom and female lieutenant colonel.
"Portraying Joan Burton on Army Wives has been such a fulfilling experience because my character was blessed to become a new military mom. I am also a mother in real life. I'm excited to participate in this special occasion because these families and their babies in the NICU have inspired me," said Ms. Davis. "I am thrilled to partner with the March of Dimes and Operation Shower to show my appreciation as we honor these parents who put their lives on the line for our country."
"Operation Shower is thrilled to work with the March of Dimes, Kmart and the other donors of Operation Shower to help bring these showers to the military moms. We felt this fit very well with our mission to support military families who may not otherwise have a baby shower. We are grateful for the opportunity to support these families," said Chief Shower Officer, Lena Morrissey.
"Operation Shower is a special thing to do for military families in circumstances where the spouse is either deployed or they are far away from immediate families," said Cmdr. (Dr.) Robert Englert, a neonatologist and medical director of PNMC's neonatal intensive care unit. "The fact that the Operation Shower concept was developed by mothers for military mothers in need is inspiring."
The Portsmouth Naval Medical Center serves all branches of the military and delivers more babies and has the most NICU admissions than any other hospital in the Department of Defense.