Ensuring Healthy Moms & Their Babies
Born full term last May 11, Zaid-an Butcher and his first-time mother, Artesia Butcher, have benefitted from three different programs supported by the Brandywine Health Foundation: The healthy pre- and post-natal baby-oriented Chester County Health Department Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) and the Maternal Child Health Consortium’s Healthy Start Program, as well as Planned Parenthood – where Butcher was tested to confirm her pregnancy.
Mary Fichter, R.N., a visiting nurse with the NFP, educated Butcher about parenting issues, proper nutrition and pre-term labor signs, which came in handy when Butcher twice experienced such symptoms and went to the hospital for treatment.
“She taught me so much,” says Butcher, 21, a single mother who, at Fichter’s suggestion, also had her son successfully treated for thrush. In addition, as a result of a call Fichter made to Butcher’s pediatricians, the infant’s formula was changed to resolve a reflux feeding problem.
“Artesia is really showing good parenting instincts with the baby,” says Fichter. “She’s really engaged and bonding with him. And he’s growing very nicely and meeting all his developmental milestones.”
After her son’s birth Butcher also began receiving regular visits and phone calls from Nicole Jones, a family health advocate with the Healthy Start Program. Jones delivered a bundle of baby products – wipes, bottles, a blanket and clothing – newborn information and encouraged Butcher to schedule postpartum doctor appointments.
Jones also gave Butcher a postpartum depression screening and verified that, thanks to Butcher’s mother and grandmother – with whom she lives – she has a good family support system. She also made sure Butcher was taking advantage of the federal Women, Infants and Children (WIC) supplemental food program.
“I’m a mom myself,” says Jones, “We share our real life experiences of what we went through our first time with other moms and provide the reassurance of having someone else to talk to.” Both Fichter and Jones will regularly stay in touch with Butcher through Zaid-an’s second birthday to make sure he remains healthy and gets all his required immunizations. This kind of team approach is clearly working.
“He’s real healthy,” Butcher says of her thriving son. “Whether he’s happy or upset, he loves his mom all the time.”
Chester County Health Department’s Nurse-Family Partnership
A national program that has documented positive outcomes in promoting healthy birth outcomes and healthy parenting of children in low-income, high-risk families.
Maternal and Child Health Consortium
Committed to reducing the number of low-birthweight babies by providing outreach and support to uninsured and low-income women during pregnancy and during the first two years of babies’ lives, connecting families with health and social service providers and educating the community.
Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania
Provides family planning services, gynecological care and HIV+ primary care to more than 2,000 patients from the greater Coatesville area, 95 percent of whom are low-income and either uninsured or receive medical assistance, at the Coatesville Center for Community Health.
View a short video featuring Artesia Butcher.
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3 Agencies Improving the Health of Women & Children
Chester County Health Department’s Nurse-Family Partnership
Maternal & Child Health Consortium
Planned Parenthood Southeastern PA
By The Numbers
1,343
Women and babies enrolled in the Maternal and Child Health Consortium’s Healthy Start Program since 2001
6,275
Parents and children who received assistance in applying for Pennsylvania Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from the Maternal and Child Health Consortium’s Family Benefits Program since 2001
3,135
Home visits provided to mothers and their young children by the Nurse-Family Partnership since 2004
400 +
Pregnant women and new moms in the past year receiving intensive services from the Maternal and Child Health Consortium and the Nurse-Family Partnership to ensure their babies enter the world at full birthweights, with every chance to succeed
1,987
Women in the past year receiving basic gynecological care, including screenings for breast and cervical cancer, at Planned Parenthood
Brandywine Health Foundation’s role:
Chester County Nurse-Family Partnership
2004
First year of Brandywine Health Foundation support
$10,000
Most recent BHF grant
$103,000
Total BHF grant support
Maternal and Child Health Consortium
2003
First year of Brandywine Health Foundation support
$35,000
Most recent BHF grant
$464,500
Total BHF grant support
Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania
2003
First year of Brandywine Health Foundation support
$30,000
Most recent BHF grant
$185,000
Total BHF grant support
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