Terry Mayer/Staff

Regina Hendrix holds a photograph of her daughter, Ryann, who was born prematurely. Hendrix and other African-American mothers face a higher rate of pregnancy complications and infant mortality. The Lifecourse Initiative is working to reduce the trend in Beloit.

Lifecourse Initiative continues progress

BELOIT — “When I got to the hospital, I just thought they were going to check me and I would get to leave,” said Regina Hendrix, a Beloit mother and assistant director of the Help Yourself program at Beloit College. “They did an ultrasound and saw that my baby was breached. I had to have an emergency C-section. I saw my doctor’s little scrub shoes come under the curtain and then he came around the corner fully dressed in surgical garb and I’m like ‘I’m having her today, now?’ She was almost six weeks early.”

Hendrix is one of many mothers whose babies face premature birth, however, because she is an African-American mother, she and her baby are at a significantly higher risk of complications during pregnancy and higher rates of infant death. Studies by the Rock County Health Department show that there is a large disparity in the rate of infant mortality among African-Americans and their white counterparts. Infant mortality is defined as a death occurring to a baby who is less than 1 year of age.

Packers President Mark Murphy addresses fans Wednesday evening during a Packers Tailgate Tour stop at the Eclipse Center. Ian Gronau/staff photo

BELOIT — The crowd at the Eclipse Center gave a heroes welcome to their guests of honor.

The Green Bay Packers eighth annual Tailgate Tour made a stop in Beloit on Wednesday evening, giving local fans a chance to meet and mingle with some of their favorite players as well as some Packer legends.