More than 250 future parents joined themed events at the Nizhny Novgorod maternity hospital.

      On April 8, 2026, 21:03 Society On April 7, on the All-Russian Day of Pregnant Women, the VII informational and educational lecture series "Spring Vernissage" took place in Nizhny Novgorod. The event was organized by Maternity Hospital No. 4 named after A.F. Dobrotina with the support of the regional Ministry of Health and the Public Support Headquarters of the United Russia party in the Nizhny Novgorod region. More than 250 future moms and dads participated in the meeting. The event traditionally became part of the "Children's Health Week" program in the Nizhny Novgorod region. This is one of many educational projects being implemented in the region as part of the Family Five-Year Plan, which was launched by the decision of the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Gleb Nikitin. Educational work with future parents is a contribution to the support of motherhood and childhood and achieving the goals of the national project "Family." Marina Semerikova, head of the Childhood and Maternity Department of the Nizhny Novgorod Ministry of Health, spoke about the importance of such meetings. "Pregnancy is not only the anticipation of a miracle but also a time of many questions and sometimes anxieties. Our task is to ensure that every woman feels supported and has access to reliable information. Lectures like this allow future moms and dads to get answers from specialized professionals: obstetricians-gynecologists, pediatricians, psychologists, and lawyers. This is not just education – it is a contribution to calm and conscious parenting," emphasized Marina Semerikova. During the event, a lawyer detailed the social support measures available for families with children in the Nizhny Novgorod region – from benefits to regional payments. The lecture program focused on providing future parents not just theoretical knowledge but practical skills and confidence. In two halls, platforms operated simultaneously, where practicing doctors discussed the most pressing topics. Obstetricians-gynecologists talked about non-medical pain relief methods and nuances of childbirth, including cesarean sections. Pediatricians conducted workshops on newborn care, bathing, and treating the umbilical wound. A breastfeeding specialist explained how to establish feeding from the first days and avoid typical difficulties. Special attention was given to the psycho-emotional mood – a psychologist worked with future parents. Also, during the traditional "Two Hearts" campaign, all guests had the opportunity to hear the heartbeats of the mother and the baby developing in her womb. Elvira Bitkina, the chief physician of Maternity Hospital No. 4, noted that the format of the lecture series is changing along with the requests of the parents themselves. "When we were just starting this journey, future moms were shy about asking questions. Today we see completely different guests – conscious, attentive, they want to understand the details. Therefore, we have moved from a monologue format to a dialogue. This year, duet lectures have been particularly in demand: for example, pediatricians jointly discussed the topic of infant dyschezia, while an obstetrician and an anesthesiologist covered everything you need to know about cesarean sections. We also conducted an interactive game "First Aid Kit for Newborns": doctors and parents together assembled a set of necessary items, discussing each point. This provides much more than a regular list of recommendations," explained Elvira Bitkina. The lecture series concluded with the presentation of gifts, the main one being a contract for childbirth. One of the participants, future mom Anna, who is expecting her first child, admitted that the lecture series helped her cope with internal tension. "Until today, I was afraid of the unknown: how labor would go, whether I could care for the child properly, whether I would harm him. But after talking with the obstetrician-gynecologist and pediatrician, many fears disappeared. I especially remember the workshop on breastfeeding – it turns out that most problems are solvable, the main thing is to ask in time. Such meetings restore the feeling that you are not alone with your questions, there is a lot of support from like-minded people around, and behind you is a whole team of professionals," said the Nizhny Novgorod resident. Let us remind you that the national project "Family" has been in effect in the country since 2025 by the order of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and is a successor to the previously active national projects "Demography" and "Culture." It includes seven federal projects: "Family Support," "Family Values," "Culture for the Family," "Pushkin Card," "Older Generation," "Protection of Motherhood and Childhood," "Large Families." NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.