This post is sponsored by RWJBarnabas Health to help every NJMOM and their family be their healthiest.
The Annual Baby Fair at Jersey City Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, is always a hub of information, offering new parents and pregnant moms insight about products, what it’s like to deliver at Jersey City Medical Center, and tips on daily life with a new baby. JCMC encourages you to bring the whole family, and with a bunch of kid-friendly activities, it’s educational and lots of fun. I had a chance to attend this past weekend and learned a lot. I participated in a class, spoke to staff, and took a tour of the entire facility that emphasized how JCMC takes pride in focusing on maternal health, addressing social determinants in health, and offering comprehensive care both within and outside the hospital. Here’s a look at what I did during the JCMC Annual Baby Fair and how Jersey City Medical Center is at the forefront of maternity care. (featured photo taken at the JCMC Annual Baby Fair)
Learning survival skills to seat safety
The vendors at the fair were diverse, covering a wide range of products and services. From survival skill class overviews by the British Swim School to Jersey City Medical’s Car Seat safety inspection station, there was something for everyone. The fair offered everything you might need in the first year—I met maternity journey doulas, got info on photography services, and found the health and wellness resources that the Medical Center’s Women’s Health Services provided to be very helpful. In fact, JCMC was scheduling annual mammogram appointments for attendees. I found some unique vendors, too—Mike, Co-Founder of Village Children Experts, spoke to me about how his organization provides parents with the tools they need in the ever-changing digital world of childcare. “Village is childcare and parental guidance reimagined,” Mike explained. “We connect parents to interactive one-on-one sessions with childcare experts focusing on practical challenges like sleep training, potty training, and positive discipline.” After checking out the vendors, I went to a Breastfeeding 101 class, where I picked up tips about latching on and how to enhance a positive experience. There were also classes for Infant CPR, Chair Yoga, and a Music and Me Class for families with young children hosted by Little Musicians. A list of Maternal-Child Health Education can be found in the JCMC Maternity page and also by searching the JCMC
Events page .
Advice about maternity options and neonatal care
One of the aspects of the fair that I found helpful was the ability to talk with healthcare professionals regarding maternity options, delivering at JCMC, prenatal care, and postpartum support. Leah Dungee, Director of Nursing and Maternal Child Services at Jersey City Medical Center, guided me on a tour of the Labor and Delivery wing, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and the newest addition, the Lord Abbett Maternity Wing. Leah highlighted the accommodations and amenities for mothers—there is a ‘Get Well Network’ with educational videos for patients and families, Halo bassinets with an innovative 360-degree swivel and a safe-access tractable side, complimentary lactation consultations, and comprehensive support groups. Each room on the unit is equipped with personal fridges and convertible couches with a desk feature that transforms into beds, ensuring no one has to sleep on a chair.
Neonatal Intensive Care was another significant focus on the tour. I learned that Jersey City Medical Center, as a Regional Perinatal Center, offers high-risk services for moms and is a level III NICU that admits babies from 23 weeks and up, with a 24/7 Neonatologist presence. Leah explained the importance of this designation and showed me the top-end Giraffe Isolettes equipped with NicView. This 24/7 monitoring webcam allows family members to check in securely from anywhere, using any device with internet access, giving them reassurance and comfort during a stressful time.
Swag, prizes, and ice cream
The fair also featured fantastic giveaways, opportunities to enter drawings, and a station set up for families to have fun. There was a table offering delicious ice cream and snacks, face painting, and a photo booth for kids and adults. Though I didn’t win any prizes, I still felt like I hit the jackpot when they gifted each attendee a canvas tote swag bag filled with goodies. Among the items were a travel bottle warmer, informative pamphlets, and an adorable newborn tee that proudly stated, “I was born at RWJBarnabas Health—Jersey City Medical Center.” It was a great day filled with information and knowledge that all new parents can relate to, and I was glad to come away confident that Jersey City Medical Center provides top-notch care for expecting families and their precious newborns. If you want a peek at the tour I had, be sure to watch the maternity tour video of JCMC. You can register for a tour by going to the JCMC Events page and search for “maternity tour.” And keep an eye out next fall for the JCMC Baby Fair in 2024.
For more information about maternity services at Jersey City Medical Center, visit RWJBarnabas Health or email Isabella.DelPlato@rwjbh.org.
