Maya’s Story

Meet Maya. Maya was a 23-year-old first-time mom, who had been facing a series of challenges while navigating her pregnancy and the early stages of motherhood when she enrolled in Healthier Moms & Babies (HMB) services.  She was experiencing significant life stressors. She had recently lost her mother and was dealing with limited social support, legal issues, and food insecurity. As a result, Maya sought support for her pregnancy and help with connecting to essential resources.

When Maya enrolled in HMB Nurse Family Partnership (NFP), she was pregnant with her son. As a young woman with limited support, she found herself facing a multitude of concerns, including mental health struggles related to anxiety, depression, and grief. To add to the challenges, she was dealing with legal issues as a result from driving without a license and a felony on her record, which further complicated her situation.

Throughout her pregnancy, Maya received vital educational support in areas such as safe sleep, car seat safety, and signs of preterm labor. Maya welcomed her first baby, a healthy boy who weighed 8 lbs 3 oz and measured 20.5 inches. Maya’s nurse offered crucial support, including educating her about her baby’s brief stay in the NICU due to heart arrhythmia. She helped her navigate healthcare appointments for her and some issues with her own recovery related to the delivery. She was informed about safe sleep practices and given a pack-and-play to help provide a safe sleep environment for her son.  Her nurse also provided car seat education, and she received a postpartum kit to ensure her son was well cared for.

Her nurse facilitated referrals to important resources such as WIC and SNAP, ensuring that Maya and her growing family had access to food and other essential supplies. She was also supported in managing her mental health, with referrals to the HMB Mental Health Team and follow-up services.  She was connected with Volunteer Legal Services, to help her address her legal issues, a critical step toward gaining more opportunities in her professional life.

Throughout her participation in the NFP program, Maya received much-needed support. Her nurse helped her access a variety of services to meet both her immediate and long-term goals. Despite all of her challenges, Maya’s commitment to her education was evident from the start—she was enrolled in college, studying biology, and working hard to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree. She was also in the process of applying for nursing school, aiming to improve her career prospects and provide a better life for her growing family. While balancing her family obligations and academic goals, she maintained employment and continued to meet with her nurse.

In addition to her educational and health-related support, the HMB team assisted Maya with basic needs. Her nurse provided diapers and connected her with partnering organizations to get clothes for interviews and her children. Maya’s determination to overcome the challenges she faced was supported every step of the way by HMB services, from the prenatal phase through her postpartum period.

During her time in the program, Maya and her partner welcomed their second son.  Her experience was easier this time as she knew what to expect and had the support of her nurse during her entire pregnancy. The support Maya received not only helped her through her pregnancy but has also been instrumental in her ability to care for both of her children, manage her mental health, and continue her education.

If Maya hadn’t had the support of HMB, the journey would have looked very different. The education she received was critical in ensuring the health and well-being of her children. Her nurse’s regular check-ins, resource referrals, and consistent support were essential in helping her stay on track with her goals, from her college graduation to her eventual career in nursing.

With continued support, Maya is on her way to becoming a strong, resilient mother and a successful professional, ready to overcome any challenges that may come her way. Maya is on track to graduate with her Bachelor’s degree in May of this year.