Advising mothers-to-be

Ronel van Niekerk, client liaison officer at the hospital, said the exhibition was established to help parents who struggle to understand advice that they read.

“At this exhibition, we had representatives from Pigeon and Avent, who provide their expert advice to parents,” said Van Niekerk.

“Often parents do not understand the brochures, so the day was utilised for parents to seek one-on-one advice.”

Van Niekerk said that the hospital saw an attendance of more than 40 mothers who found the exhibition useful.

“We also gave away prizes to the mothers-to-be.

“All they had to do was pop a balloon and if the balloon had a note in it, they won a prize,” she said.

Among the prize winners was 21-year-old Ashmita Arnajalum, who is eight months pregnant.

“I am in a relationship and my boyfriend is very supportive, but I still have the fear of giving birth,” said Arnajalum.

“However, this exhibition was helpful because I learnt about the safety measures of breastfeeding and how to keep my milk healthy.”

Another expectant mother, Duduzile Sibanyoni, also found the exhibition useful because she has been taking advice only from her husband, mother and doctor.

“My husband has a child already so he constantly reminds me what to pack, but today I realised that there are so many products that we actually know nothing about,” she said.

This is Sibanyoni’s first child, so she sought as much information as possible.

“I need to get all of information that I can,” Sibanyoni said.

“I have many fears of miscarriage and I am getting different advice from my mother, doctor and husband, so having other experts to teach me is helpful.”

Van Niekerk said although the exhibition was created to advise expectant parents, it was also important for the couples’ loved ones to understand how to support them.

“As friends or family, you are not going through the pregnancy but your loved one is, so, it is important for everyone to contribute to making the pregnancy as comfortable as possible,” she said.