New and potential parents can encounter new resources, advice and information about pregnancy during Athens Birth Circle will host the Pregnancy and Baby Fair this Saturday at the Market on State from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The fourth-annual program will feature booths, vendors, door prizes and events for kids. The fair will inform parents about unexplored pregnancy and baby resources, including important information about healthcare providers, government services, locally-made pregnancy accessories, childbirth educators, pediatricians, baby preparation services and prenatal and children’s recreation.
“The goal of the fair is to bring Athens’ entire birthing community under one roof, on one day so that new and expectant parents can more easily learn about all of the many resources available to them,” said Molly Wales, executive director of the Athens Birth Circle.
“Not only does this save them time and energy, but it also exposes them to organizations, people and ideas that they might not have known otherwise.”
The Pregnancy and Baby Fair is sponsored by many influential Athens businesses and organizations, including Roberts Family Photography; which will be giving away a year of family portraits at the event.
“I love the way the Athens Birth Circle supports families with education, lending libraries, breast feeding support, emotional support and the Meals for Moms programs,” said Andi Roberts, owner of Roberts Family Photography. “Organizations like this are vital to a healthy, vibrant community that supports families of all types.”
This month, the Athens Birth Circle celebrates their tenth anniversary.
“It was started in May, 2002 by two local mothers…who realized that there was a lack of support for women who wanted to talk about their births,” said Wales. “We serve roughly 500 people through the fair, our monthly meetings and other programs.”
Those other programs include Meals for Moms, Birth Circle Playgroup, Meet-a-Mom, Lending Library and an online forum. The group itself gained nonprofit status in 2004.
“I really like being around people who have differing opinions so I can listen and learn and begin to understand where I fit amid all the choices,” said Jenny Klein, an Athens mother who attended the Birth Circle’s meetings.
“The Birth Circle provided information and then gave me the space and support to form my own opinions on important issues related to my pregnancy, labor and delivery.”
Beyond aiding new and potential parents, the Birth Cycle also adeptly promotes the development of community in Athens.
“The fair is…a time for families, birth workers and other community members to come together for a fun celebration of birth, babies and families,” said Wales. “That’s one of the things the Birth Circle does best-creates community.”
cw105510@ohiou.edu
