Baby Shower Event Brings Crowd
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
A crowd of about 350 packed into the Opelousas Civic Center Thursday night as mothers and those expecting children took advantage of free gifts and professional medical advice during the annual Community Baby Shower hosted by Opelousas General Hospital.
OGH Director of Marketing Daryl Cetnar said the unexpectedly large attendance was encouraging, as the hospital was able to unveil the extent of the support services and care available from the health provider.
“We planned to start at 4:30, but about an hour before that, we already had a long line of people waiting to get in. This is really incredible and we are encouraged that so many people decided to come out and take advantage of what our hospital has to offer for all new mothers or those who are expecting,” Cetnar said.
Participants were still pouring into the Civic Center just before 6 pm.
Pediatricians, nurses and other personnel connected with OGH were available for consultations.
Door prizes were also offered.
“One of the coolest things that we are giving away are the infant carseats that are being raffled off. The Lafayette Parish Sheriff Office will provide demonstrations and information about how to adjust and align the carseats in vehicles,” Cetnar added.
The event coincided with World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month, according to an OGH press release.
OGH, the press release said, obtained “The Gift” designation to provide an evidence-based program for Louisiana birthing facilities that are designated to increase breastfeeding rates and hospital maternity services.
