By Michelle Stapleton | Director of Development
Nurse-Family Partnership is improving the lives of more than 26,000 families right now - through your support - thank you! Following is one of our newest stories of one of our families:
Kim’s journey with Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP) began following a referral from her doctor, and as some may say ‘just in the nick of time.’ “I first met Kim in March 2011 when she enrolled right under the 28 week deadline,” said Rubia Solis, Kim’s nurse home visitor in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Kim was living with her boyfriend at his mother’s house and was hesitant to enroll in the NFP program. She did not feel comfortable bringing a stranger into a home that wasn’t her own. However, her living situation soon changed. Kim and her boyfriend Damien were able to get their own apartment. “I enrolled in the program two days before receiving the keys to our new place,” Kim said.
Kim understood she made the right decision to enroll in the NFP program because she wanted help with her pregnancy, but she was still unsure of what to expect. “I was kind of nervous to ask questions about my body to a stranger, but the first visit actually went well!” said Kim. “Miss Rubia brought a binder with lots of pregnancy information in it. It helped me learn and made me feel comfortable asking Miss Rubia questions.”
Little did Kim know, that just a few weeks after her first home visit, she would become a new mother-far ahead of schedule.
One red flag Rubia saw during their visits was Kim’s blood pressure: it would not go down.
Upon Rubia’s advice, Kim scheduled a doctor’s appointment and was diagnosed with preeclampsia. Four weeks later she went to the emergency room for a leaking water bag. Things moved quickly at that point.
“My doctor came in my room and asked me if my water broke,” said Kim. “I wasn’t sure since my water bag was already leaking and this was my first time being pregnant, but I did feel a gush before the doctor came in.” She was later moved to a separate room to prep for an emergency C-section because her fluid levels were low. Her doctor determined for the safety of her baby, the best decision was to deliver the baby that day.
“I was extremely scared. I wasn’t due for two more months and hadn’t had my baby shower, I had too much to still prepare myself for,” said Kim. “I walked in thinking this was nothing major and I could go home.”
Kim’s son was born that day, two months before Kim’s due date. Daivontae was born 3 pounds 7 ounces and was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) right away.
After waking up from her surgery Kim was unsure of what happened. “I asked the doctor, ‘did I actually have this baby?’” said Kim.
She was finally able to see her son in the NICU and when she did she broke down and cried. “It was hard seeing him on the ventilator and I asked, ‘why me, what did I do for my child to go through this?’” Kim said.
Kim and Rubia continued their visits in the NICU and formed a close and caring relationship. “It was a time of real discovery for the both of us and the baby,” said Rubia. “We didn’t have much time in the getting-to-know you phase before the baby was born and meeting in the NICU bonded us so much more.”
After learning she could take her baby boy home, Kim became extremely nervous. Daivontae weighed 4 pounds 11 ounces and his health was in good condition.
Nonetheless, taking care of her baby outside of the hospital still worried Kim. “He looked so fragile in his car seat and I wasn’t sure I was prepared, but I made it through the first night!” said Kim.
Kim did have extra help at home from her boyfriend which made tending to a new baby a little less stressful. “I would take the day shifts and Damien would take the night shifts.” Damien was involved and even attended the home visits when he could before his son was born.
Having Daivontae home was difficult at times, but Kim knew Rubia was a phone call away. “I called Miss Rubia three times a day when Daivontae was transitioning from breastfeeding to formula,” Kim said, “I felt comfortable talking to Miss Rubia; I called her before I even called my mom!”
Rubia will tell you Kim is a strong advocate for her child. She kept every visit after she was able to take Daivontae home. “Her life was absorbed by getting what her child needed,” Rubia said.
“At nine months old they discovered Daivontae was blind in one eye,” said Rubia. “When I made a referral or suggestion, Kim was very proactive and would make phone calls and did her research. She has incredible strength for her son. Kim is a shining star.”
Now at 2 years-old, Daivontae is an active and healthy boy who loves being outside and keeps his mother and father busy. Kim has her certified nursing assistant certificate and plans on continuing her education and obtaining her LPN credentials. She credits her motivation to her nurse home visitor Rubia, the NFP program and her son.
“I stopped putting things off because I am more focused. Nothing is getting in my way,” said Kim.
Daivontae will continue to wear his glasses and if he wants to play sports as he gets older, he’ll wear goggles to protect his eyes. “He’s adjusted and you would never think he has a serious vision problem,” said Kim.
Kim describes motherhood as being loving, challenging and rewarding. Her hopes for the future are to complete her nursing education, happiness for her son, and eventually to purchase a home in the country with her boyfriend. “I love the country life, I grew up in the country and I want my son to have that life, too.”
Despite early obstacles, Kim gained the knowledge she needed to be a good parent from the help of her nurse, Rubia. “Enrolling in the program is the best thing I ever did. Without the program I wouldn’t be this far. Nurse-Family Partnership taught me to be a good parent,” Kim said, “I look at life a different way than I did before I had Daivontae. I now live for my child. He is the spark in my life and he keeps me going.”
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Kim graduated from the NFP program in April 2013 and currently lives in Lafayette, Louisiana, with her boyfriend of eight years, Damien, and their son Daivontae. Your support of Nurse-Family Partnership make successes like this and many others possible.
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