Helping First-Time Parents Succeed

Being a first-time parent can be one of the most challenging times in a person’s life. With so many changes to their daily lives and limited access to their child’s pediatrician, many first-time parents do not know where to turn when they have questions about parenting, their child’s development and more.

United Way’s investments in the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program provide families and children a support network to improve well-being through evidence-based services. These investments include United Way Impact Partner Catholic Charities Archdiocese of San Antonio’s Nurse-Family Partnership.

The Nurse-Family Partnership provides expectant, first-time mothers with a trained nurse whom they meet with regularly to consult as they experience the challenges and joys of motherhood. Starting early in the pregnancy and up until their child turns two years old, these first-time mothers have a friendly face they can turn to in times of anxiety, fear, concern and happiness.

“As a first-time mom, it is hard to go through the steps,” said Patricia, a graduate of the Nurse-Family Partnership program. “Having support and people around you to guide you is very helpful. It was refreshing when I could even text my nurse for little things like ‘is it okay for her to go through that’ and then she is like ‘yup’,” added Patricia.

Through MIECHV home visiting programs, parents can

• Develop healthy pregnancy habits
• Gain insight on how to avoid accidents with their children
• Learn how to be supportive of their children through positive responses
• Be empowered to plan for their future
• Get connected to other community resources that can provide support with employment, housing, healthcare and more.

This impact of MIECHV programs can have a ripple effect throughout the lives of both the parent and the child, as it can help improve the overall health of the parents and better prepare their children to succeed in school later.

Most of all, resources like this provide first-time parents with peace of mind that there are people available to support them through their journey. “Always having a calm person to provide guidance, giving me what I needed, it really helped through it all,” Patricia said.