A story about a supervisor, a mother, and the willingness to listen.
Going into this visit, I had not planned any topic. This was my first time meeting with her. Her Nurse Home Visitor recently left Nurse Family Practice. She is in her 2nd trimester and has not received any prenatal care. This is her 6th pregnancy and all of the other miscarriages happened during the 2nd trimester.
Today, I am going to listen. She's been told about the benefits of prenatal care. She knows how to set up an appointment. But there is clearly something holding her back, and today I want to see things from her point of view.
When I saw her, I didn't pull out any paperwork. I didn't even pull out my laptop. I wanted her to know that I wanted to listen to her.
I probably shouldn't have said "I know you don't know me from a hole in the wall, but I want to understand what's going on.” and I probably definitely shouldn't have said "Look, I do not work for the doctors. I am here to support you." Maybe I should have said that differently, but I meant what I said.
I love the Nurse Family Practice program because it gives me a chance to listen. Listen to understand. Problem solve alongside mom, not just for her.
After our visit, she did establish prenatal care. She figured out how to get to her appointments. She now has a beautiful baby that I don't think she thought she would or could have.
In that moment, I was reminded why I love Nurse Family Practice. I'm here so moms can feel heard. Because then the fog can clear. Then solutions seem possible.