why aN NFP nurse?
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At Nurse-Family Partnership we are often asked, ‘why an NFP nurse?’ We know NFP nurses are crucial to the success of first-time moms living in poverty. Our highly trained and specially educated nurses form trusting relationships with moms to help ease them through the emotional, social and physical challenges of becoming parents.
Our nurses are our secret sauce. They are part of a larger field of nurses who have been rated as the most honest and ethical professionals in the U.S. for the 18th year in a row. This is why NFP nurses are the best professionals equipped to support first-time moms, helping them break cycles of poverty and transform their children’s lives.
The Yahoo News Documentary “Baby Brain” helps explain this is why an NFP nurse. The documentary captures the crucial combination of brain development, support of a trusted individual and the value of LOVE.
“In a sense, it comes down to love,” Stephanie Sy, documentary correspondent, said. “Providing love may counter the toxic effects of poverty-related stress, a surprisingly low-tech way to address what advanced brain science has revealed.”
In “Baby Brain,” Stephanie introduces us to
Lori Rogers, an NFP nurse at Gift of Life in Montgomery, AL and two of the moms she works with.
“The film shows how toxic stress is a problem that is affecting moms and babies throughout the nation,” Lori shares. “I hope it sparks meaningful conversations in our community on how we can improve prenatal care for moms living in poverty and the need to support home visiting programs like NFP.”
Right now in Alabama, one in four children live in poverty. One idea is becoming more apparent as researchers continue their work to understand how stress affects children—everything begins in the womb. Data shows that toxic stress has long-term effects on children and may begin during pregnancy. NFP nurses are there through crucial moments during and after pregnancy to support moms as they deal with those toxic stressors.
what it’s meant to have a supportive relationship with their NFP nurse Lori.
Latreta’s first two pregnancies ended because of preeclampsia. Today, she’s raising a healthy toddler. When Lori first met Latreta all she had in her apartment was a mattress. So, when Latreta got a second job she couldn’t wait to tell Lori. Latreta plans to go to school to become a nursing assistant.
In a similar way, Lori brought Breanna and her daughter support, love and consistency to their lives.
“It wasn't even just she was here as a nurse, she was here like a mom, like a second mom. So everything she ever told me, everything she ever gave ... even a little care, made me feel like I was loved by many,” Breanna said.
“Baby Brain,” highlights research from the Center for the Developing Child that shows the effects of poverty and toxic stress on pregnant women and fetal brain development. Stephanie discusses the findings from studying resilience in the face of poverty with Jack Shonkoff, a professor of pediatrics at Harvard University and director of Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child.
Jack said research shows that the most important predictor of good outcomes in the face of adversity, “is the presence of at least one reliable, responsive, protective relationship with an important person.”
This new science shows that with the right support at the right time first-time moms can change the trajectory of their babies’ brains for the better. This is the fundamental answer to ‘why an NFP nurse.’ For many first-time moms, their NFP nurse is that one protective and supportive relationship in their lives.
CTA
CTA:Watch the film and start a conversation about “why an NFP nurse” is so crucial to end maternal poverty and change children’s brain trajectory for the better.
https://news.yahoo.com/how-breakthrough-science-can-change-the-lives-of-poor-families-starting-in-the-womb-100020836.html
Side bar: What is toxic stress?
Toxic stress response can occur when a child experiences strong, frequent, and/or prolonged adversity—such as physical or emotional abuse, chronic neglect, caregiver substance abuse or mental illness, exposure to violence, and/or the accumulated burdens of family economic hardship—without adequate adult support.
Toxic Stress - Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/toxic-stress/
Side bar: What is toxic stress?
Toxic stress response can occur when a child experiences strong, frequent, and/or prolonged adversity—such as physical or emotional abuse, chronic neglect, caregiver substance abuse or mental illness, exposure to violence, and/or the accumulated burdens of family economic hardship—without adequate adult support.
Toxic Stress - Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/toxic-stress/