A First time parent
Portia, a first time mother shares her story about her journey in navigating the health care system and finding access to health care during her pregnancy at BREATHE Midwives. Portia was expecting her first child with her husband. Before joining her partner and arriving to Canada, Portia ensured her and her growing baby had the right foundation for a healthy start.
As a new resident in Canada she tried to navigate the health care system but found many barriers and hurdles. Her encounters included request for large deposits for basic prenatal check up or just being turned away. Access to care was not readily and easily accessible.
Portia was determine to ensure that her baby was healthy. The family and community she had in Ghana was not close by – that community was disconnected. The newly Ghanaian-Canadian, believed there had to be some place where she could find some support and refuge. Portia states in her own words “You are new here and don’t have anybody and feel frustrated”. Her expressed feelings is what many individuals trying to find support and access to care struggle with.
BREATHE Midwives was a new organization and it was a matter of time before Portia would walk into our doors. Recommended by a friend who had an encounter with BREATHE Midwives, she took a leap of faith.
Portia describes her connection with BREATHE Midwives
“They became a Family. I Have a FAmily in them”
Portia found BREATHE Midwives at the right time when she needed some support and access to safe culture competent care during her pregnancy. Last year, She was able to walk in and see our midwives. The stress and frustration related to not knowing what was happening to her and her unborn child was lifted. She talked about how the midwives here helped her by educating, motivating, and encouraging her.
After her delivery, Portia was able to re-connect with BREATHE Midwives for postpartum and baby check ups.
Portia described her experience as a new mother without having a mother or father around was a big deal for her. She shares that she now understand why after giving birth a lot of individuals experience depression. She credits her experience and support from the midwives was a big factor. She shares happily that Registered Midwife Abigail, was like the big sister she did not have. Portia shares how she found a family in BREATHE Midwives. She encourage anyone going through what she was going through to just walk in.
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