Free Program teaches and counsels pregnant women  

There is no single formula for educating children, but there is one to ensure their health care.  

Pilar Hernandez began her class with this phrase, she is one of the promoters of the new Comienzo Saludable, Familia Sana educational program. The program, seeks to educate Latino mothers about the processes of health system in this country, how to care for their health and the baby and what to ask doctors and health care providers during prenatal care visits and the first year of life of the baby. 

The program, which is taught in Spanish and was launched at the beginning of this year, is divided into two sessions: before and after the baby's birth.  

Hernandez explained that the program teaches what expectant mothers should take during pregnancy, what diet to maintain to keep their health care and that of their babies, how to identify contractions, which vaginal discharge what is normal and what not, among other topics. 

"For mothers who have had their baby we will talk to them about the importance of breast milk and how to breastfeed the baby, when to introduce solid foods in their diet, how to organize the daily care, immunizations and what achievements are baby's signals normal growth, "says Hernandez.

Mary Espino is one of the mothers of South Gate who benefit from the program. Her second son, Angel, was born on April 13, after only 32 weeks gestation and she needs to get as much advice and information as possible to care for her baby , who because of his  diminutive size needs to have his breathing monitored.  

Dynamics of the Program 

Classes are taught in the homes of the promotoras or the participating mothers, community centers, work areas, clinics and community hospitals.

"We chose to develop the program within communities to facilitate the participation of mothers, since many of them have no transportation," says Dr. Britt Rios-Ellis, spokesman for the new program and director of the Center for Latino Community Health, Evaluation & Leadership Training at California State University, Long Beach.

Claudia Garcia and Diana Sandoval, who also participate in educational classes at South Gate, believe that by facilitating classes a few blocks or doors from the homes of the pregnant women and new mothers, the program is building both a networks of support and friendships. 

"Another good thing is that the promotoras of the program speak Spanish," says Sandoval.  

Pregnant women also receive printed materials with information that helps them care for the health of their minors. They are also delivered a calendar illustrated for 13 months, which brings 24 decals that mothers can use to mark important moments in the life of her baby and their medical appointments.  

The calendar gives mothers a monthly guide the development of their child and provides information on community resources where they can acquire, for example, a safety chair for the baby and treatment for postpartum depression.  

The educators  

The Promotoras of Comienzo Saludable, Familia Sana received a training course of eight months that prepared at them at the university level, to discuss health issues of concern to pregnant women and their children. 

"We go where we asked to go," says Hernandez. She added, "We are prepared to offer classes to a group or individuals, at times we are presented with cases where mothers cannot leave their houses due to high risk pregnancies. 

Mary Borneman, spokesperson for baby products Hyland’s, explains that “the promotoras are responsible for identifying and attracting immigrant’s pregnant mothers or those with newborn babies.

The program  

"This is a unique program in Los Angeles," denotes Borneman. “I say unique because it was designed taking into account culture and language of Latino mothers, who account for 65% of all births occurring in this city."  

Erika Rodriguez, who is 25 years old, is included in this figure. She gave birth to her first son, Julian, last April and just recently found out about the existence of the program but did not hesitate to turn to their free lessons.

Comienzo Saludable, Familia Sana was designed and sponsored by the Center for Latino Community Health, Evaluation & Leadership Training at California State Univerisity, Long Beach and Hyland’s.