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Cathy Scott, 32, works hard to support her family, working long hours in the hospitality industry. As a mother to two young children, Isabell, 10, and Giovanni, four months, she also understands the importance of bonding with them. As a Henry J. Austin Health Center (HJAHC) patient for over 12 years, Cathy joined the Centering Families Program, which empowers moms and caregivers to engage in healthcare, make sound decisions, and efficiently take care of their babies.<\/p>\n
This program falls under the primary care model certified by the Centering Healthcare Institute (CHI). HJAHC believes that mothers often represent the cornerstone of a family\u2019s overall health. Thus, the program combines one-on-one child and caregiver health assessment, interactive learning, and community building in a postnatal group setting.<\/p>\n
Leading up to the birth of her second child, Cathy was anxious. \u201cI was so on my toes, like nervous. Every time I turned around and looked at the news\u2026it tends to put you in a bad mood. It was really stressful, the last eight months before having him. And I just wanted everything to go right.\u201d Cathy knew she was going through postpartum after giving birth, and the nurses at HJAHC recommended that she attend the Centering Families Program.<\/p>\n
Cathy is grateful she decided to try the Centering Families group at HJAHC, \u201cI feel so comfortable with them. I was able to jump into mommy mode after ten years!\u201d she exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cI thank them for having the Centering group, and if you need a ride there, they\u2019re willing to give you a ride there and back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cathy made this decision to ensure that her children have a better life and future than she did. \u201cI don\u2019t want [my children] to experience anything we experienced growing up. And you know, my mother, she tried hard. But if the lights got cut off, or the gas was off\u2026I never want them to experience that. I always want them to have air conditioning or heat in the winter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cathy loves that she has been able to make close relationships with the nurses and the other moms in the group while sharing advice and uplifting each other. \u201cIt\u2019s perfect. We laugh, and we talk about breastfeeding. We talk about everything, and I love it. I feel like I\u2019m different because of it,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen I\u2019m with the group, there\u2019s no judgment. If I have an issue, they\u2019re open about it; they\u2019re never like, \u2018you\u2019re a bad mother.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Cathy has many goals for herself and her family, \u201cI want to learn how to drive; I want to go back to school,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s been a little rocky with everything outside being a mom, like working and trying to move and be a better person. But I strive to always have the best things for my babies. That\u2019s what a mom wants, the best for her babies.\u201d<\/p>\n