Healthcare center unveils new space for expectant mothers to learn, bond, and get support
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - What started as just a vision one year ago to help expecting mothers is now a reality.
"Today, we are able to proudly display what this will bring to the patients that we serve," said Jolene Joseph, Health Care Connection CEO.
The brand new "Mothers Room" unveiled at the Lincoln Heights Health Center is a place for moms to receive prenatal care.
It's the latest "Community Makeover" project from the Reds Community Fund.
"Our role is to ensure that all mothers have a great early start and the services that they deserve, and we can begin that through this program," said Krista Sweeney-Edison. "This is what I say: If you build it, they will come."
Sweeney-Edison will serve as midwife at the center and says this resource is a game changer for young expectant mothers.
"It's huge to have a room like this where people can get together, and women can spend their pregnancies together and learn about everything they need to know to raise their babies and bond with other women in the community who are having babies at the same time as them. It's fantastic,"
That includes women like Rai’jean Johnson.
"I'm due May 27, but I'm getting induced May 17," Johnson said.
She says having something like this in her own backyard as she prepares to have her first child puts her mind and nerves at ease.
The team is awesome," said Johnson. "They walk you through every step of the way. They go beyond for you. They're going to give you their personal number, so you can call them if you're going into labor, or if you just need to talk. It might sound crazy, but if you are down and you need to talk, they will give you the best advice ever.
The Reds Community Fund partnered with Cincinnati Children's Hospital, GE, P&G, and the Cincinnati Zoo to make the new Mother's Room possible.
