Tiffany D'Autrechy, an RN at Jefferson Medical Center, stands by some of the donated diapers at the Community Baby Shower on Saturday afternoon. The donations will be distributed by Birthright of Jefferson County to new mothers with financial need. Tabitha Johnston

RANSON — For some expectant parents, preparing to have a child can be a daunting task. But thanks to Jefferson Medical Center’s annual Community Baby Shower, many of the situations parents need to be ready for, can be prepared for ahead-of-time.

The Seventh Annual Community Baby Shower, which was held in one of the conference rooms in Jefferson Medical Center on Saturday, featured free non-diagnostic ultrasound pictures, Family Birthing Unit tours, educational booths, food and vendors.

“The purpose behind this event is to let the community know that we’re here at Jefferson, and can deliver your baby here and provide care. We want the hospital to be involved with the community,” said Clinical Coordinator Tasheema Bullock, RN, who was one of several nurses from the Obstetrics Unit who volunteered her time to plan and staff the event.

“We get a lot of people who don’t know we exist, even though we’ve been here for years,” Bullock said. “We want this event to get the word out there, because we love what we do.”

Although some mothers may not be able to attend the event while they’re pregnant, since the event is only held once a year, anyone interested in information about pregnancy and childbirth was welcome to attend.

A volunteer stands behind a booth at the Community Baby Shower to help teach new parents how to install and use car seats. Courtesy photo

“It’s open to expectant mothers, people who are thinking about starting a family and people who already have kids. They don’t have to be expecting,” said Registered Nurse Tiffany D’Autrechy, mentioning one family came to this year’s shower with their newborn baby. “We did have a couple come in, who had just had a child a couple of months ago.”

While much of the event was focused on educating the community in a fun way, the event also had a philanthropic purpose, according to D’Autrechy.

“On the flier for this event, it said if anyone wanted to bring a pack of diapers to this event, that we would donate them to Birthright of Jefferson County,” D’Autrechy said, referring to the Charles Town-based nonprofit which supports families in crisis pregnancy situations. “Birthright come and see patients who reach out to them. They usually bring a pack of diapers and clothing for anyone who delivers.”

As attendees visited each of the 15 booths at the event, many of them enjoyed munching on some healthy snacks, including vegetables, fruits, sugar-free beverages and freshly popped popcorn. But the event coordinators made sure one unhealthy snack, a staple of every baby shower, was available at the event — cake.

“Of course, fruits and vegetables are always good for mothers, but what’s a baby shower without a cake?” D’Autrechy said, with a smile.