Baby Fair returns to Greenwood Park Mall Sept. 20 with great expectations

Franciscan St. Francis Health event offers Diaper Derby, activities, free giveaways

GREENWOOD, Ind. – There’s going to be a lot of baby talk going on at Greenwood Park Mall Saturday, Sept. 20.

That’s because Franciscan St. Francis Health is hosting Inspiring You – Mommy, Baby & Beyond, an informative fair for mothers and expecting parents. The event, which is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., enables participants to meet with experts from the Women & Children’s Center and to learn about programs and services offered to patients and children.

The event is located indoors near the Von Maur and JCPenney entrances.

Visitors can experience the soothing effects of aromatherapy and learn the benefits of acupuncture and massage therapy. And parents can enroll their babies (up to 12 months old) for a Diaper Derby (first 10 girls and boys registered the day of the event).

Additionally, numerous prizes and giveaways will be available, and the first 100 people to stop by the registration table will receive a Vera Bradley® gift (limit one per family).

Organizers are encouraging youngsters to bring a favorite stuffed animal for interactive booths and the Doc McStuffins Toy Check-Up, with the Radio Disney Junior Road Crew.

The event also offers an excellent opportunity to learn more about Franciscan St. Francis’ ongoing $36.5 million expansion and renovation of the Women & Children’s Center. The 100,000-square-foot project encompasses the first through fourth floors at the Indianapolis campus, located at 8111 S. Emerson Ave.

Here’s what expecting mothers and their families will find when the renovation is completed in early 2015:

·        7 triage rooms and an infusion area for newly admitted patients (2^nd floor)

·        12 expanded labor and delivery rooms (2^nd floor)

·        8 large antepartum suites with in-room refrigerators (2^nd floor)

·        2 operating room suites for caesarean procedures (2^nd floor)

·        30 postpartum suites and a nursery (3^rd floor)

·        24 private neonatal intensive care rooms (4^th floor)

·        10  “kid-friendly” pediatric rooms  (4^th floor)

More than Nearly 50,000 babies have been born since 1995, when obstetric and pediatric services were consolidated at Franciscan St. Francis-Indianapolis. About 2,200 babies are born annually at the Indianapolis campus and 300 infants delivered at the hospital’s Cherished Beginnings unit in Mooresville – the only medical facility in Morgan County with obstetrical services.

More information on the event can be found at FranciscanStFrancis.org/babyfair.