The first set of quadruplets were welcomed into the world at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest this week. While they are undeniably adorable, they're also reminding us of the countless responsibilities that start when you first take your child home from the hospital.
The Nurse-Family Partnership at Hillcrest is working to make that transition easier for families. It's a free community healthcare program that provides pregnancy and parenting support to first-time mothers.
Nurses will actually go to their homes starting in the early stages of pregnancy, all the way up to the child's second birthday to help with things like prenatal care and the child's health and development.
"Most babies don't sleep through the night, so some days may start at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m.," Gabbie Worley, nurse home visitor with the Nurse-Family Partnership said. "Some babies will have a wet or dirty diaper every time they eat. They're usually eating about every two hours and that's 24/7."
The nurses also help to manage and guide mothers through sleep deprivation and hormonal changes after pregnancy.
"I wish I had someone like me to come and support me and encourage me," Worley said. "I think a lot of the nurses here would say that our biggest responsibility is to encourage moms and empower them."
There are currently six nurses in the program who make about a dozen visits each week.
For more information on the Nurse-Family Partnership, click here.
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