Pregnancy center keeps moms ready

Sarah Eddington’s baby is on the way, and she’s ready.

She’s been taking parenting classes, reading books and doing everything in her power to prepare herself for this new and exciting responsibility.

Edington is not only an expectant mother, but a volunteer at the Sedalia Pregnancy Center. She helps keep track of an inventory consisting of diapers, formula, food and other supplies for mothers who can’t afford them. She is also in charge of the library, which provides parents with a variety of baby books addressing different topics.

“We are trying to collect pregnancy books for mothers to use for free. Books can be so expensive, and we want to make sure everyone has access to the information,” Edington said. “I was given a really good breast-feeding book, and I plan to donate that after my baby’s born.”
All services, including classes, support groups and supplies, are offered free of charge to anyone, regardless of income.

“There may be a professional girl who doesn’t need assistance, but who just needs to plug in with other pregnant girls,” said Kathy Chappell, executive director of the center.

Edington found herself unable to work through her pregnancy, and was missing the personal interaction she had grown accustomed to. Now, she is grateful to have found friends at the center.

“Before I got involved here, I felt really isolated. Now, I’m in contact with other soon-to-be moms and I have friends who are going through the same thing,” Edington said.

Not only does the center offer a variety of parenting classes, but also support groups for those suffering from a lost pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.

“Even though our main concern here is helping mothers, we are also concerned with sexually transmitted disease. In our area, one in five women between the ages of 12 and 20 have some form of sexually transmitted disease, and we are trying to educate young women about that,” Chappell said.

Due to the center’s not-for-profit status, all workers come on a volunteer basis. Nursing students from State Fair Community College come to the center to complete their clinical requirements for their program by helping with exams, pregnancy tests and blood sugar testing.

The program is largely funded by the Alternative to Abortion grant, which is a federal grant obtained through the Missouri Alliance for Life. The center also receives assistance from local churches and private donors. Chappell speaks at churches, youth groups and slumber parties to educate young girls about pregnancy.

“Because most churches around here share a pro-life philosophy, it is a strong uniting factor, no matter how different the religious beliefs might be,” Chappell said.

In addition to offering labor and delivery and infant safety classes, the center also offers recovery services for pregnant women.

“We assist women who are recovering from abusive relationships, drugs, alcohol, tobacco and a variety of other problems. We try to provide not only physical, but psychological assistance,” Chappell said.

Even though supplies are free to all who attend classes at the care center, they are given on an “learn to earn” basis.

“Instead of just giving things away, we try to encourage women to come here and take advantage of our services in exchange for supplies. That way, new and expecting mothers are learning skills they need, as well as receiving the supplies they need to implement what they learn,” Chappell said.

One addition Chappell is looking forward to is an ultrasound machine. Siemens or GE may be donating the machine to the center, which is meant to encourage prenatal care among the women who attend.

Because the center is run on donations, supplies, money and volunteer workers are needed. For more information, contact the Pregnancy Care Center at 827-2331 or Kathy Chappell at 221-3520 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.