Baby Basics Moms Club of SW Virginia was born from a partnership between the Southwest Virginia Perinatal Council and The What to Expect Foundation, and is generously supported by the March of Dimes Virginia Chapter.  It is a place for pregnant women to get together and talk about their pregnancy, learn new things, and just have fun! It doesn't matter what month your pregnancy is in because topics apply to all expectant moms. Discussions are based on Baby Basics: Your Month-to-Month Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. This easy-to-follow book was published by The What to Expect Foundation in partnership with the March of Dimes. Meetings are always free and Dads are always invited too, as well as anyone who is supporting you in your pregnancy. Come meet other moms and learn together "what to expect when you're expecting!" Scroll down to read more about the Baby Basics Program.
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New Club in Roanoke
Baby Basics Moms Club of Virginia
is a program to promote better informed moms and healthier babies.

About the
Baby Basics Program

Heidi Murkoff, creator and author of the acclaimed "What to Expect" series of books is President of The What To Expect Foundation. She and Lisa Bernstein, Executive Director, led a very talented team to bring the Baby Basics Program to life.

Baby Basics Book

Baby Basics: Your Month-to-Month Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy  goes through each month of being pregnant and lets you know what to expect as your baby grows and your body changes. You'll also read touching personal stories from other new moms who have shared what Baby Basics has meant to them. This book has been described as "a labor of love by the mothers who brought you What to Expect When You're Expecting."

Announcing a New Arrival on May 7th--
Abingdon Moms Club is Here!

The details have been finalized and our new Abingdon Baby Basics Moms Club is arriving May 7th for its first meeting!  Club meetings will be on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at People, Inc., 1173 West Main Street (across from Alison's Restaurant).  Check the Abingdon BBMC page for more details and a full schedule.  Tell any of your friends who might be expecting, or just bring them along.  No sign up is needed... just show up for a fun and informative evening!

New Video Alert! Shopping at Food City

Food City has been very supportive by hosting our Bristol Moms Club twice during the past few months.  The events were organized by Linda Harriger, Facilitator, with help from Food City's staff, community partners, and the SW Virginia Regional Perinatal Council. Watch to see our Moms and Dads learning Nutritious Menu Planning on a Budget.  You may even see someone you know!  We hope to plan more of these events so look for future announcements. Click here to view larger.

Emergencies Happen - Would you be ready?

You're pregnant, or new parents... and a weather emergency or natural disaster strikes. Do you know what you should do to protect yourself, your baby, or your family? March of Dimes has published important safety and medical tips here:  Don’t Get Caught Unprepared For An Emergency>>>

The What To Expect Foundation
Launches Newly Updated Website

For the past several weeks, The What To Expect Foundation has been working on a new delivery... a revamped website that will expand their efforts and mission to educate and empower moms so they can expect healthier pregnancies, safer deliveries and healthier, happier babies.
"Infant mortality isn’t going to be fixed by one person or one program alone, but instead by communities and organizations coming together and joining forces in support of all moms in need.” 
-Lisa Bernstein, WTE Foundation Co-Founder
Visit their new website for more information on their goals and programs.  The Baby Basics Program is a big part of that effort and we are very happy to be able to bring it to our Moms Clubs here in SW Virginia.

75 Pounds of Dimes in 75 Days!

Baby Basics Moms Club gets some "heavy" fundraising assistance from Sara Long, March of Dimes State Program Director.  Saba and Ashley with the Program Service Committee got in on the fun, too.  BBMC sends our sincerest thanks to these fantastic women!
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Sara Long (click to enlarge)
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Saba & Ashley (click to enlarge)

Virginia Delegate Jennifer McClellan
and The What to Expect Foundation

Delegate McClellan of Richmond represents the 71st District in the Virginia House of Delegates. She is pictured here holding a copy of The What To Expect Foundation's  Baby Basics, the centerpiece for Baby Basics Moms Clubs of SW Virginia. 
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L-R: The What to Expect Foundation's Jeanne McMahon, National Program Director and Lisa Bernstein, Executive Director; Delegate Jennifer McClellan; and Merry McKenna, Virginia Regional Perinatal Council Coordinator and project lead for Baby Basics Moms Club of SW Virginia.

March of Dimes 75th Anniversary
Recognized by Virginia Assembly

The long-standing efforts of the March of Dimes was recognized by the Virginia Assembly on January 15th. Delegate Kenneth R. Plum of Fairfax spoke about the positive impact March of Dimes has had on the health of babies over their 75-year history which began in 1938 with a campaign to help eliminate polio. March of Dimes has been instrumental in education, research, vaccines, and reducing premature births. This introduction was delivered to the Virginia Senate by Senator Ralph Northam of Norfolk.

Baby Basics Moms Club
Coming to Abingdon

We are very excited to announce our fifth Moms Club in SW Virginia!  Details are being finalized and the meeting location will be posted here and on a new Abingdon page very soon!  In addition to Abingdon area expectant Moms, we hope to see participation from Smyth and Russell counties. Help us spread the word by sharing this news with your friends!
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Karen Thompson (left) from Abingdon attended the recent Baby Basics Facilitator training in New York City. Congratulations and welcome to Baby Basics Moms Club of SW Virginia!

Sec. of State Hillary Clinton Announces
Global Women's Health Innovation Program to include Baby Basics

The What To Expect Foundation announced the week of June 27th that it is taking their Baby Basics Program around the world to reach a global community.  The announcement was first made on June 14th, 2012 by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Child Survival Forum at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.  "And finally, we are launching the Women’s Health Innovation program, a partnership with the What to Expect Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that will provide expecting mothers with pregnancy information, education, and social support." Read the complete transcript of Secretary Clinton's remarks here.

Car Seat Safety Tips From An Expert

PARTY TIME in Bristol!
Monday, May 21st, 2012

Join us for a special Moms Club Premiere Party at Bristol's Tinsel Town Theater (Exit 7) followed by a 5:00 p.m. showing of What to Expect When You're Expecting. The first 40 pregnant women to RSVP will get free admission to the movie, PLUS ALL pregnant women that attend will be treated to a free VIP Room Party with "swag bags" for our moms-to-be!

One Year Celebrated
by Roanoke Moms Club

Roanoke's Baby Basics Moms Club Reunion was held April 9th, 2013.  Our Moms and their guests were treated to healthy snacks, door prizes, and a fun evening of sharing with other new and expecting Moms. The highlight of the event was meeting those beautiful babies after of months of waiting for their arrival! Click to go to the Roanoke page for more photos!

Baby Basics Moms Club sincerely thanks our community partners for their continued support in fulfilling our mission of healthier moms and babies in Southwest Virginia! 
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Merry McKenna, Baby Basics Moms Club of Virginia Director, gets help drawing a ticket. (Click to enlarge.)

New River Valley Celebrates First Year of Moms Club

The New River Valley Moms Club celebrated one year of success at their first reunion on April 30th, 2013.  Just look at all those adorable babies and proud Moms!  Click to go to the NRV page for more photos!
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Click to view larger.

New River Valley Moms Club
Goes Shopping at Kroger

Kroger in New River Valley hosted a wonderful shopping event for our expecting Moms and their families on March 26th, 2013.  Each Mom was given a budget and information to help them make nutritious food choices to make meal planning easier and healthier.  Our sincere thanks goes to Carilion Clinic NRV and March of Dimes for their continued support of NRV Moms Club!  Click here to find more photos on the NRV page.

Club de mamás de Fundamentos de bebé

Baby Basics Moms Club of SW Virginia is excited to announce a due date of March 15th for our new Spanish Moms Club, Hola Bebé in Roanoke at Carilion OB Clinic. Meetings will be on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., and as always is absolutely free for our moms and their support guests.  A schedule can be found on the Roanoke page. Look for the button at the top of the page!

Bristol Moms Club Reunion
Photo Gallery

Visit our newest photo gallery to check out some wonderful photographs from our 2012 reunion held on October 1st at Bristol Regional Medical Center.  We want to thank Nikki Hicks, March of Dimes Community Director, for being our very skilled photographer and providing beautiful memories of a  fun-filled evening.

Bristol Moms Club
Food City Shopping Event
on December 10th

Bristol Baby Basics Moms Club has invited a nutrition expert to go shopping with six lucky Moms who will be selected to participate. The event will be at Food City (1315 Euclid Avenue) at 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (this replaces the regular Moms Club meeting).  Click here for details and to register for a chance to be one of our six Moms!

Bristol Moms Club
2012 Reunion Oct 1st

We will have our annual Moms Club Reunion at 6 p.m. in the Walnut Room, located on the ground floor of Bristol Regional Medical Center. If you have been one of our Moms Club participants in the past, or are presently attending, join us for food, fun, photos and prizes. Bring your families, and of course, those adorable babies!

Tanglewood Kroger hosted Roanoke Moms

Our sincerest thanks once more to Tanglewood Kroger, 4488 Electric Rd, for hosting a second shopping event for our Moms on November 14th.  Your support is so appreciated by everyone associated with Baby Basics Moms Club of SW Virginia!

Food City Shopping Event
Teaches Healthy Choices

Our Bristol Baby Basics Moms Club sent seven expectant Moms on a Food City shopping mission with a menu in hand. The challenge was to make  healthy grocery choices while staying within a set budget. Our Moms, and some Dads who came to help out, were coached by an expert team of Moms Club helpers. More information and photos coming soon!

Our Roanoke Moms Loved Shopping at Kroger!

How do you make grocery shopping fun? By shopping with a group of expectant Moms from our Roanoke Baby Basics Moms Club at Tanglewood Kroger Grocery Store! On September 20th, they toured and shopped with specially trained Kroger staff, learning helpful hints about making healthy food choices. Read more here...

NRV Moms Club
Place to Be on Mondays!

Baby Basics in the New River Valley is where moms and dads are coming on Mondays! Our clubs are for all moms and their support persons. We hope moms will set aside some time for themselves and come share free gifts, snacks, fun, and lively conversation with other moms who will become new friends and a network of support!   Visit the NRV page for location and times. See you there!
Party Celebrated
Moms, Babies, & Movie!
Baby Basics Moms Club Bristol hosted a "Premiere Party" for their moms-to-be and past Moms Club participants. The party was inspired by the new movie What To Expect When You're Expecting.  You can view photos here, or go to our Facebook page to download your favorites.
Congratulations
Baby Basics Moms Club Roanoke!
Another new Baby Basics Moms Club was officially launched with an Open House on April 18th, 2012 at Carilion Roanoke. Click for their schedule!
Baby Basics Moms Club Launches at Carilion NRV
Baby Basics Moms Club Carilion New River Valley Open House a huge hit! April 17th marked the official start of Moms Club in NRV!
Read more...
Baby Basics Moms Club
comes to Norton!
We are very excited to partner with Norton Community Hospital. Check their page for more details and photos.