The second annual Baby Bonanza, sponsored by St. Mary's Health Center, Jefferson City Medical Group and Whaley's Mommy & Me, is slated for 1-4 p.m. April 7 at Capitol Plaza Hotel.
The event features nearly 40 booths focused on providing information and products useful to new parents.
"Our goal was to make it educational," said Dr. Amanda Rodemann with Women's Clinic of JCMG. "They can learn what to do once the baby comes home."
Emily Mantle, community relations coordinator with JCMG, said the event isn't only for new parents.
"It's a great resource for people thinking about becoming pregnant," Mantle said. "They can ask physicians questions directly and it's an attempt to make resources available at one location."
The idea for Baby Bonanza came out of a focus group prior to last year's event. The group included women of childbearing years and they were asked what kind of resources they're looking for.
"We decided this event was a way to get fathers and grandparents involved," Mantle said. "It's a way for everyone to get on the same page."
Rodemann will be one of several JCMG Women's Clinic physicians who will present an educational session at the Bonanza. She will give her presentation, "Comfort Measures During Labor," alongside colleague Dr. Brandi Nichols. The session will include options on pain management for labor, comfort measures and different labor techniques.
Other educational sessions include "The First 48 Hours Home" by Dr. Jodi Berendzen with Women's Clinic of JCMG and "Breastfeeding and Making Your Own Baby Food" by Becky Schwaller, a registered nurse and lactation consultant at St. Mary's Health Center and Denise Coots, a registered dietitian at St. Mary's.
Baby Bonanza 2013 also includes door prizes, a baby product fashion show and a crawling contest. The Jefferson City Fire Department will provide car seat safety checks in the hotel's parking lot.
The event costs $5, and all proceeds benefit the March of Dimes. For more information, visit babybonanza.org or call (573) 761-7175.