Our Social Worker invites her into their private office for a confidential Intake Appointment. Clients often bring a support person with them to this appointment. The Social Worker asks a range of questions such as how the woman is feeling about being pregnant, whether she has stable accommodation and finances, what supports she has as well as screening of her mental health. They then work together to create a collaborative support plan. Depending on what the woman needs, this could include Pregnancy Options Counselling, Medical Care from our doctor or midwife, free medications for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy or prenatal vitamins, invitations to attend our birthing/antenatal or pilates classes, as well as referrals for additional help from other services. This support plan will be reviewed throughout the pregnancy, and all services are optional depending on what supports the woman needs. At the first appointment, our Social Worker will give a tour of our clinic and offer relevant support to the new client including meals, groceries and maternity and baby clothes.
If a client is unsure if she wants to continue the pregnancy, Pregnancy Options Coaching is a great way for her to explore what matters to her and to see how her life might be affected in both positive and negative ways depending on what path she chooses. Abortion, adoption and parenting are all explored. This is a very reflective style of coaching with our Social Worker that women generally find very helpful. As part of the decision making process, all women are offered an ultrasound with our doctor. Whatever choice a woman makes in regards to her pregnancy, she is always welcome to access support through First Steps, and some women who have gone on to have a termination have come back in the weeks and months that follow to get emotional support and to debrief afterwards. Several have come back when they are pregnant again and have made the decision to continue with the pregnancy. At this stage we have not yet had a woman decide to pursue adoption.
If the client proceeds with the pregnancy and chooses to parent the baby, intensive support can be provided depending on her needs. This may include regular pregnancy appointments with our GP Obstetrician and midwife, birth planning and breastfeeding preparation, provision of practical items such as a pram, cot, car seat, maternity wear etc. as well as home-made meals, pantry items and opportunities to shop for complimentary baby clothing at our Baby Boutique. First Steps also has additional programs on offer once a client has given birth. These include a Maternal Child Health Clinic for drop-in support, ongoing medical care, Lactation Consultations with capacity for home visiting, supported playgroup, postnatal pilates classes, Circle of Security parenting course, family photographs, and ongoing Casework with our Social Work team. These supports are in place until the client's little one turns 18 months old and ages out of our service. This time is marked with a group graduation/celebration event and families are linked in with other local services who are able to carry on providing support into the future.
Our First Steps clients are always welcome to continue attending any of our playgroups or classes to ensure opportunities for maintaining relationships with other mums, but once their baby turns 18 months old, this marks an end to formal support provided by First Steps. Many women come back to see us for a subsequent pregnancy and we love to welcome them back and provide ongoing comprehensive support where this is still needed.
