Navigating Motherhood with Supportive Services
Category: Client Stories
March 10, 2026
Preparing for Motherhood
When Nora first found out she was pregnant in late 2021, she felt a wave of overwhelming emotions. Just six months earlier, Nora had experienced a miscarriage. Now, she was facing a new pregnancy while navigating a recent breakup and her lease expiring. Nora is a wheelchair user, adding complexity and added expenses (adaptive baby gear) to motherhood and caregiving.
A local clinic introduced Nora to Any Baby Can. It was the moment her trajectory began to change.
Nurse-Family Partnership: A Nurse by Her Side
Nora was quickly enrolled in Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP). NFP pairs first-time pregnant moms with a personal registered nurse. Her nurse Jessica became much more than a medical professional by her side—she became an advocate and a friend.
Throughout her pregnancy and early motherhood, Jessica helped Nora prepare for her new baby. Together navigated a confusing health care system and advocate for her needs. Her nurse connected Nora to Any Baby Can’s No Estás Solo counseling program where Nora began to process her depression. With this support, Nora came to a place of emotional stability and confidence.
“It was too many big changes and big decisions in that moment. But I felt really supported in every way: emotionally, physically, and everything,” recalls Nora.
Nora didn't have any previous pregnancy complications. However, at 38 weeks she was admitted to the hospital for high blood pressure, a complication of pre-eclampsia. She ended up having a c-section, and her son Emilio had an 11-day NICU stay.
Her nurse was by her side through this difficult time. They continued in-home visits while Emilio was in the NICU. And she was by Nora's side when Emilio was finally ready to go home. While many medical professionals focus solely on the baby after delivery, NFP supports both baby and mother through the first two years of their child's life.
“She even gave me a blood pressure cuff so I could continue to monitor my blood pressure from home. That gave me a sense of security, as she cared for my health the whole time,” says Nora.
Support Continues with Parents as Teachers
As Emilio grew, so did the support. When he turned two, Nora transitioned from NFP to the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program. She began working with Lauren, a Parent Educator who helped Nora understand developmental milestones. Together they navigated the huge shift of starting Pre-K.
When Emilio needed evaluations at school, Lauren joined Nora in ARD (Admission, Review, and Dismissal) meetings. She helped her prepare and advocate for her son’s education. They meet regularly, making sure they have what they need to keep Emilio active, growing and thriving! Nora also attends PAT events and has built a community of friends and support.
“It took a while for me to understand how PAT worked compared to NFP. But my parent educator was super helpful with Emilio's development. She gave me referrals and helped me stay on top of things, and coordinate appointments for me and him. She’s the best at finding information for me! And always gives me reliable parenting advice,” explains Nora.
Growth for Baby and Mom!
Today, the woman who once said she felt "fragile" at the start of motherhood is supporting herself and others. Emilio is thriving at school, and Nora has transformed her experience into action.
Nora is part of the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) at Any Baby Can. The PAC is a group of current and former program participants that support with outreach, advocacy and more! She now shares her expertise by helping with initiatives like Adopt-a-Family and advocating for other parents in the program. She's proud of her work with the Parent Advisory Council and feels like they're making an impact.
Nora was inspired by the social workers and nurses who stood by her. She is currently enrolled in classes at Austin Community College with the goal of becoming a social worker herself. Nora and Emilio's story is a testament to what happens when a mother is given the right tools, the right team, and the confidence to believe in herself.
Hear From Nora About Her Experiences
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