From Boots to Booties: Celebrating Expecting and Postpartum Veterans at the Annual Baby Shower

Far more than a festive gathering, this event is designed to uplift, educate, and connect Veterans with peers and access resources.

This year’s celebration at Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center, on May 15, brought together over 100 attendees, including 32 Veterans, their guests, and over 40 volunteers, for a day filled with joy, learning, and community. 

The event featured an impressive lineup of interdisciplinary experts from across VAGLAHS and community partner organizations. Women Veterans in attendance had access to resources and experts spanning mental health, intimate partner violence prevention, women's primary care, lactation support, chiropractic and nutrition services, and the Whole Health Program.

Activities included resource tables, featured speakers, and a panel discussion covering topics such as postpartum support, lactation guidance, and maternal mental health. 

Representatives from the LA County Public Library, Children’s Hospital LA, UCLA Family Wellness Center, Foundation for Women Warriors, Nurse Family Partnership, Black Infant Health Program and more were present to help Veterans learn about the many services available to them.

“The Women’s Veteran program is here to recognize, support and empower our Veterans, to provide them with the best care they deserve. Having a baby is a life-changing event. Having a supportive community and knowing you are not alone while navigating the journey, can make a big difference.” said Melissa Pellot, the Maternity Care Coordinator at VAGLAHS.

Additionally, Veterans enjoyed a warm lunch and participated in baby shower themed games, such as "The Price is Right," a scavenger hunt, and a popular onesie decorating station. Each Veteran also received a gift bag loaded with donated essentials like diapers, wipes, onesies, and baby grooming kits. Other generously donated raffle prizes included items such as a baby monitor, stroller, infant carrier, car seat, highchair and a pack ‘n play.

“When I got there it was so beautifully set up, I was not expecting the balloon of arches, all the things that said ‘baby’, and on the table, they had little crochet booties. Some women showed up with their babies, and they had little games. It just felt really special,” said Cristina Justus, Army Veteran, first-time mom, and featured speaker at the event.

Beyond the festivities, the baby shower showcased the vital role of the Maternity Care Coordination program, which offers Veterans individualized support before, during, and after pregnancy. 

According to the VA’s Office of Health Equity, “Maternity care coordination programs are associated with increased utilization of beneficial health services, improved maternal and birth outcomes, and decreased costs, especially for women with chronic or pregnancy-related physical or mental health conditions or social vulnerabilities.”

The Maternity Care Coordination Program addresses everything from prenatal and postnatal education, health screenings, coordination of health care, maternity supplies, referrals and lactation support. As a lactation consultant herself, Pellot offers virtual support and refers veterans to local community resources to ensure Veterans have access to breastfeeding education and care.

Pellot also helps with everything from scheduling appointments with VA-authorized maternity providers to explaining benefits like genetic testing coverage, newborn care assistance, and access to postpartum counseling groups.

"If I had a call or concern because I was pregnant, it was addressed right away. It’s priceless to be able to contact Melissa who says, ‘If the OB can’t help you, give me a call and we’ll figure out what we need to do. I just felt really supported,” said Justus. 

Interested in Maternity Care Coordination at VA Greater Los Angeles? Veterans can call Maternity Care Coordinator Melissa Pellot at 559-754-9656 for information, including preconception counseling, pregnancy support, and lactation services.

To learn more about VA maternity care health services, visit: https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/topics/maternity-care.asp.