Prenatal Clinic

Low-income women may choose to receive their prenatal obstetric care at the free and sliding scale clinics sponsored by Decatur’s two hospitals. Much anxiety, anticipation and confusion surround the nine months of waiting for most parents-to-be. The main goal for Baby TALK staff working in these settings is to give parents a sense of empowerment as they embark on the task of parenting.

The goals of the prenatal clinic program:

• To establish a relationship between Baby TALK and families prior to their child’s birth;
• To provide expectant parents with an outlet for sharing concerns and gaining support;
• To empower parents to be ready for their babies:  to share information about
  infant development and appropriate activities for babies, and to assist parents in making homemade toys for their babies.

These goals are accomplished by the three components of the prenatal clinic curriculum.

Information is shared about infant development and appropriate activities for babies. Given an understanding of their infants’ developmental stages, parents will respond to their babies with confidence and delight.

Parents are invited to make a homemade toy for their babies. This activity provides an opportunity to reinforce the developmental information in a practical manner. The time spent working on the project offers an opportunity for informal conversation and sharing with the teacher and other parents. The completion of the toy creates a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Positive communication and play can be role-modeled by teachers. Parents-to-be often bring young children with them for prenatal visits. Teachers can interact with these children and encourage parents to participate in the play. Books, games, fingerplays and handouts are presented as suggestions for parents to do at home.