Parents who are expecting or recently had a baby are invited to attend the free maternity education series this winter. Local health care providers expanded program offerings over the past couple years with the financial support of the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation. The Thompson Region Division of Family Practice will offer the eight-week winter series, which begin on Tuesday, Jan. 17, for families in the Kamloops-Thompson Region.
Heidi Coleman, RIH Foundation CEO, said the foundation has eagerly sponsored the well-attended program for several years.
“The Royal Inland Hospital Foundation is committed to our community’s health care needs,” said Coleman. “We are able to help give expectant and new parents a positive start with their babies by funding the Perinatal Education and Support Group Series. We do not hesitate to support educational programs such as these.”
Melanie Todd, Thompson Region Division of Family Practice Network Lead, manages the program and works with local health care providers to develop the content.
“Topics include infant safety, postpartum body and mental health, preparing for labour and birth, breastfeeding, and more,” said Todd. “We’re excited that we can offer eight weeks of education and support that will include advice from doctors, registered midwives, registered nurses, and other guest speakers.”
Area residents can learn more and register online at KamloopsMaternity.ca. Winter sessions run on Tuesday evenings from 7-8 p.m. from Jan. 17-March 7. Guest speakers — including a physiotherapist, lactation consultant, and car seat technician — will also bring maternity-related health information to help families thrive during this stage of their lives.
The Thompson Region Division of Family Practice is a non-profit organization of family physicians, nurse practitioners, and registered midwives that engages in community-based projects to improve access to primary health care in the Kamloops-Thompson Region.
Published: January 10th, 2023.
