Dozens of expectant mothers and fathers participated in an educational baby shower organized by Flushing Hospital Medical Center and Healthfirst, a community day that combined celebration, professional guidance and access to resources to accompany families during pregnancy and the first months of their babies’ lives.
The event, held at the Flushing Hospital facility in Queens, offered attendees the opportunity to learn about essential topics related to motherhood, childbirth and newborn care. Doctors and specialists shared information on postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, safe sleep and child well-being.
In addition to the educational sessions, families toured the hospital’s renovated maternity units, including labor and delivery rooms and mother and baby care rooms.
The activity also served to present the Centering Pregnancy program, an initiative that brings together pregnant women to exchange experiences, receive prenatal education and create support networks during pregnancy.
One of the most practical moments of the day was the presentation on child safety in vehicles offered by the New York City Department of Transportation, where participants received guidance on the proper use of car safety seats.
Among the invited specialists were Dr. Maja Castillo, pediatric medical director and associate vice president of Pediatric Care Management at Healthfirst; Maria DeMarinis Smilios, Nursing Director of Maternal and Child Services at Flushing Hospital; Dr. Barbara Ponieman; Dr. Piñero; lactation consultant Jimena Grimaldi; Ángela Correa, coordinator of Centering Pregnancy; and Eric Miu, community coordinator for the Department of Transportation.
Attendees also received items to care for their babies, including diapers, postpartum recovery kits and children’s books.
“At Flushing Hospital Medical Center, we are committed to creating a supportive and welcoming environment for moms and babies at every stage of pregnancy. Today’s event reflects the community-centered support we aim to provide every day, from offering the Centering Pregnancy Program to bringing together experts who can help answer the questions we hear most frequently from moms-to-be in our Queens community,” said Dr. Orlando Santandreu, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Flushing Hospital Medical Center.
The initiative reflected the commitment of both organizations to maternal and child health and the importance of offering spaces where families can access reliable information, professional support and resources that facilitate a safer transition to parenthood.
