YMCA of Austin Gives the Gift of Health to Expectant Moms

This month the YMCA of Austin, in partnership with March of Dimes, will launch “Becoming a Mom/Comenzando bien©,” a free, prenatal health and fitness program for expectant mothers from low-income households. This investment is an effort to aid underserved women by providing instruction on safe fitness practices and guidance on behavioral health changes.

Through a generous grant partnership with March of Dimes, the YMCA of Austin will offer “Becoming a Mom/Comenzando bien©” in conjunction with another YMCA-developed fitness pilot this summer. The program will be offered at the North Austin and East Communities YMCA; locations that serve significant numbers of low-income residents.

“At the YMCA, we strive to help individuals in every walk of life reach optimal health,” says Lauren Milius, Health & Wellness Director at the East Communities YMCA. “This grant will allow us to reach expectant mothers in ways that we never have before. By helping mothers to adopt healthier habits before their babies are even born, we hope to help their children live healthier lives from the start. We’re very excited to help March of Dimes expand the Becoming a Mom program in Central Texas.”

“Becoming a Mom/Comenzando bien©” is a March of Dimes prenatal education program designed for pregnant women. Through a 9-week session, instructors will teach expectant mothers how to prepare for birth, create a birth plan, and what to expect both during and after pregnancy. Participants have the opportunity to connect and share with other pregnant women in a supportive, private setting. Classes at the YMCA of Austin will also educate pregnant women on how to exercise safely during pregnancy, and will include light exercise and meditation.  

For more information about the program, contact Lauren Milius at (512) 933-9622 or lauren.milius@austinymca.org.