VA’s nationwide baby shower for Veterans

Next month, VA will host baby showers across the country, celebrating over 2,400 Veteran mothers and fathers welcoming babies in 2018. VA’s nationwide baby shower event will have all the trappings of a traditional baby shower—from baby-themed games to baby care packages—but behind the celebration is a bigger purpose.

VA’s nationwide baby shower plays a critical role in connecting Veterans with VA benefits, information and resources as they begin their journey into parenthood. This gathering also extends the opportunity for Veterans to make meaningful connections with other new parents in their local community, as well as providing awareness of vital information like sudden infant death syndrome,  women, infants and children programs, and postpartum depression signs and symptoms.

VA’s nationwide baby shower – the details

What: To honor and support Veterans welcoming a new addition to their families in 2018, VA is hosting more than 60 baby showers at VA sites across the country. So far, over 2,400 new Veteran parents and new Veteran parents-to-be have signed up to participate. With support from partners like the Veteran Canteen Service, Philips, First Quality, and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, every participant will leave with goodies and information.

When: The showers will be held May 5-16 in the weeks surrounding Mother’s Day on May 13th.

Where: For a list of participating Veteran Affairs Medical Center sites and more information about how to support the Nationwide VA Baby Shower event please visit: https://www.va.gov/womenvet/acwv/babyShower.asp

You can help. Growing families need many things outside what VA can provide. At every baby shower VA will be sending Veteran families home with baby care packages. To check out the care packages and donate please visit: https://www.promoplace.com/205353/stores/Babyshower.

(VA employees are authorized to attend the VA baby showers through purchasing the Halo new baby kits. They may engage in the gift-giving activity only during off-hours, during lunchtime, or during break time.)

This is not your grandfather’s VA

Nearly half of all women Veterans receiving health care from VA are of reproductive age. In stepping up to meet the demands of this ever-growing population, VA offers a full range of gynecological, reproductive and maternity benefits including prenatal and preconception care, maternity care services and the first seven days of newborn care.

About the author:  This article was submitted to VAntage Point by VA’s Women’s Health Services Office Created in 1988, the Women Veterans Health Program was created to streamline services for women Veterans in order to provide more cost-effective medical and psychosocial care.  VA’s Women’s Health Services office provides programmatic and strategic support to implement positive changes in the provision of care for all women Veterans.