From Tara’s first visit for prenatal care at Catholic Charities’ Marisol Health to the birth of her son David and beyond, Tara found the support and guidance she needed as a first-time mother.
“I was eight weeks pregnant when I found Marisol Health. I didn’t have insurance, so I needed to use Medicaid. And, like a sign I was seeking, they just popped up. I gave them a call and knew this was where I was going to go. And then, lo and behold, I just felt comfortable,” said Tara.
Marisol Health provided Tara with both medical care and emotional support during her pregnancy. The staff made her feel welcomed and supported, helping her through the challenges of this uncharted territory. Tara’s first ultrasound at Marisol Health was a crystallizing moment, strengthening her bond with her unborn child and affirming her decision to seek help.
“I got to see David on the ultrasound at my first appointment. I looked at him and I was so excited to see his little, tiny little arms and feet. I’m so excited that I’m seeing this little person I get to take care of.”
Throughout David’s first 15 months, Tara has learned to navigate the complexities and joys of motherhood as a single mom. Marisol Health’s postpartum support and counseling services became lifelines for her during times where she shared that she felt lonely and struggled with a deep depression. Marisol Health provided her with those resources to help cope and a community of other mothers who were struggling with the same.
Marisol Health provides a continuum of services for the mother and baby long a child is born. The parenting groups and counseling sessions facilitated by clinical staff members gave her the support and guidance she needed to overcome postpartum challenges and form lasting connections with other moms.
As a single mother, Tara found strength in the community of Marisol Health and other mothers, discovering a sense of purpose and fulfillment in nurturing her son.
“I realized that I was put on this earth to be a mom, that is who I was born to become. I was transformed when I birthed a human. It really made me realize what your body is capable of. But the best part of all of this is that I get to raise this perfect little human.”