LaShay's Story - Sedgwick County, Kansas Health Department

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Emily's Story

Emily I was a single college graduate working for minimum wage without health insurance when I learned I was pregnant. After the shock and fear subsided, excitement and worry overcame me. I went to the Sedgwick County Health Department for a pregnancy test and to apply for SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program). The SCHIP provider referred me to Healthy Babies and I was enrolled in the program within a week.

During my pregnancy I did everything my Healthy Babies Nurse, Jerri, told me to do. I was desperate to breastfeed my baby. I wanted to provide the best nutrition for him and savor the bonding that breastfeeding would bring, but I feared it would be painful. Jerri calmed my fears and supported my intentions to breastfeed and even came to the hospital to provide encouragement.

I felt confident when I went home. Boy, was I in for a surprise! The first night home from the hospital was a breastfeeding nightmare. Braden was not latching on properly—I was frustrated, sleep deprived, and failing. The next morning I called Jerri in tears. She was at my house within an hour and calmed me down and helped me to successfully breastfeed my baby, which I was able to do for 14 months.

Another major hurdle Jerri helped me overcome was my career and how I was going to be able to provide a stable environment for myself and Braden. I voiced the same concerns about my financial situation that I had voiced to Jerri during my pregnancy. After continued frustrations with my current employer, Jerri called me about a position I would be “perfect” for at Healthy Babies. I applied, interviewed and was hired as an Administrative Specialist for the Healthy Babies program that same week. The women at Healthy Babies were just like Jerri - kind, supportive, and genuinely cared about me and Braden.

A big part of my job at Healthy Babies is contacting every potential client from the referrals we receive. My experience as a client makes explaining the program to potential clients easy and exciting. I’m working for a program I truly believe in and have benefited from personally. I work hard for the women of my community because Healthy Babies worked hard for me.

Group Success

In 2008 Healthy Babies changed from an individual visitation program to a group-focused model of care. On Christmas Eve 2008, three members of our very first group delivered their babies. All three enrolled in the blue prenatal group in October 2008 and had become friends. Upon getting settled at the hospital they began to call each other with the good news that they were each in labor and they found out they were all at the same hospital. After delivery, they took turns visiting each other in the hospital and held their own little group session. After they were dismissed, they all attended the next group session at Healthy Babies and shared their story with the rest of the group members. They were excited that they were able to share their hospital experience with each other and said the support and encouragement they offered one another was so helpful and important. Clearly the group model of care is successful!

The Story of Melissa and James

Melissa, age 17, enrolled in the Healthy Babies azure prenatal group in January 2009, attending 90% of her prenatal group sessions along with her boyfriend, James. Discussion among the group motivated James to try to quit smoking through the Kansas Quitline. While he has not quit completely, he has substantially cut back and is confident he will continue to be successful in his decision to quit smoking.

Melissa delivered a little boy in August 2009 and initiated breastfeeding. At six weeks they decided on Depo Provera as their family planning choice. The based this decision the fact that they want to space their children at least two years apart so that they have “only one in diapers at a time.”

James and Melissa consistently attend their parenting group sessions and both say they feel comfortable asking questions in front of the group. In addition to learning many things about their new baby and parenting, they are learning a great deal about relationships and how their relationship affects their baby. They are planning their wedding for June 2010.