Recently, a young mother visited the Hope House Women’s Clinic with her toddler and newborn baby boy. Her toddler was still in his pajamas and had no shoes, clinging to his mother. The baby brother was in his infant car seat, which she carried on her forearm. It was wonderful to see her, especially since she had given birth less than 48 hours earlier! We welcomed her into the waiting room and helped her unload her arms. She sat on the couch, and we admired the beautiful baby sleeping soundly in the car seat.
As we asked how things were going, she breathlessly explained that she just needed to get out. She had struggled with postpartum depression in the past and was terrified of slipping back into it with this newest arrival. We sat together and listened as she shared pieces of her past and how she had been coping. Then she said something that resonated with me: “I just needed to get out, and I felt like this would be the safest place to come.”
I reassured her that the Hope House was here for her and her children, and she could stay as long as she needed. We walked over to the Baby Mall, where Big Brother immediately discovered a basket filled with bottles and sippy cups that caught his interest. I told Mama to sit in the rocking chair and take some time to feed the baby while I took Big Brother to get some juice for his new yellow sippy cup. One of our volunteers sat with her, sharing birth stories and remedies while she relaxed in the rocker nursing her newborn. Big Brother climbed into her lap, too, as I gathered some items to send home with them, including diapers, wipes, and a baby bath.
We made arrangements to have a meal delivered to her. I explained that we have a volunteer who will prepare a home-cooked meal, and either her mentor or one of our staff members would deliver it to her. She was relieved to hear this and mentioned that her brother had been responsible for meals recently, which meant they had been eating a lot of peanut butter sandwiches. She decided on lasagna for her meal and smiled broadly at the thought of enjoying a warm meal with her family.
Then she reiterated, “I just thought this would be the best place for us to come.” She was right. We are immensely grateful to have a safe, peaceful, and comfortable space for our families to collect their thoughts and receive hugs, prayers, and resources without judgment or unnecessary obstacles.
When they were ready to leave, I walked out with them and prayed with her as she attempted to go over a list of everything she needed to do next. I reminded her to breathe and to take things one step at a time. With that, she nodded and took a deep breath.
We will continue to support this mother and her family as they journey through the first year of her baby’s life. We look forward to offering a place of peace and comfort as she embraces the exciting adventure of motherhood.
If you would like to partner with us in serving families like hers, we would be happy to help you get involved! Just click the link below or reach out to us at (229) 890-5244.