DES MOINES, Iowa — Whether you’re expecting or a mom already, parenthood can be overwhelming. To help with the stress, EveryStep, Community Action Network, and other organizations are coming together to provide families with resources and support.

Both organizations are bringing resources together at the DMACC Urban Campus on Saturday.

The annual resource fair is meant to provide resources and education for expecting parents and families of children under the age of one.

“We’re bringing all these resources into one location,” Nola Aiger Davis with EveryStep said. “We know individuals work multiple jobs or they work different shifts, and they may not always have access to talk to someone about insurance, to talk to someone about getting WIC, to talk to someone about family planning consultation. So, this event brings all those resources to you.”

The event will have free dental screenings, family planning consultations, and individuals available to help families sign up for WIC and Hawk I. There will also be doctors and providers on hand to answer any questions or concerns about pregnancy or a child’s needs.

“We know that being an expecting parent or having a baby and having a family is challenging,” Aiger Davis said. “You have many questions, you have many concerns, and this is where you can meet those questions and concerns head-on with the resources that Everystep and The Community Action Network are providing for expecting mothers and families.”

The Baby Bloom event will have mental health experts on hand to help spread awareness about Postpartum Depression.

According to the CDC, one in eight women has reported having symptoms of postpartum depression within the first year after giving birth. Mothers can experience an array of emotions, from sadness, anxiety, to changes in their sleep and appetite. They may also have a difficult time bonding with their child.

“This information is vital. Because we don’t know if or when a mother will experience postpartum depression. We want to make sure that they are armed with the correct information and they have that ready and available for them if they think or are experiencing postpartum depression or if they’re going through it,” Davis said. “We want mom and baby to be healthy and happy.”

The Baby Bloom Event is set for Saturday, May 9, at 11 a.m. and goes until 2 p.m. The resource fair will be set up at DMACC’s Urban Campus inside Building 7.

To learn more about the event or Everystep, you can visit their website.