Nurturing Necessities joins CMH family
Open house planned for Oct. 1

Calvert Memorial will now manage and operate Nurturing Necessities. The hospital purchased the Huntingtown business last month. The change will allow CMH to offer more classes and services for new and expecting families at one location.

An open house is planned for Saturday, Oct. 1 from 9 a.m. - noon to welcome the new arrival. There will be displays, kid-friendly refreshments and great door prizes. Little ones can enjoy face painting and "Bows" the Clown while their parents meet with the staff.

Betty Ellis, RN, who was a co-owner, will coordinate the program. "Her involvement assures that the high quality will be maintained," said Barbara Polak, director of ambulatory care services at CMH. Ellis has 20 years OB nursing experience. She is also a certified childbirth educator and lactation consultant.

"Our goal is to offer more variety," said Polak, "and to provide more postpartum support - such as outpatient lactation consultation."

"Often new moms still need help and have questions after they go home from the hospital," she said. "They depend on this service."

At present, Nurturing Necessities offers childbirth education and breastfeeding classes. It also has a shop that sells nursing supplies, breast pumps and baby items.

According to Polak, CMH plans to bring other services - like prenatal yoga and baby care basics - that are offered now at the hospital to the Huntingtown location in the near future. "We believe parents, especially moms-to-be, will appreciate this convenience," she said.

For now, Nurturing Necessities will remain at 1430 Solomons Island Road North and keep the same phone number (410-414-5414). Additionally, many of the current instructors will continue. Most of them are nurses at the CMH Family Birth Center.

"That is a major advantage," said Polak. "Parents come here (to CMH) and see a familiar face." She said classes are also open to parents who deliver elsewhere.

Getting ready
CMH offers a wide variety of classes, programs and services to support expecting and new parents before you deliver, while you're in the hospital and after you go home. For a complete listing, call 410-535-8233 or visit the CMH website at www.calverthospital.com .

Childbirth education classes are offered weeknights and on Saturdays. Expectant parents learn about labor and delivery preparation, relaxation and breathing techniques, medication options and breastfeeding. The class is free for low-income families through the Goldstein Wellness Fund. For information, call 410-535-8233.

"The class teaches first-time parents what to expect," said Ellis. "It eliminates the fear of the unknown. Even women who already have children learn something. Things are changing all of the time."

This fall, CMH will offer a three-part series on preparing for pregnancy, fertility issues and balancing your life after baby. The presenters will be Dr. Barbara Estes, OB/Gyn, fertility specialist Dr. Gilbert Mottla and Ellis. For dates and times, call 410-535-8233. The classes are free but pre-registration is required.