First Steps Pregnancy

First Steps Pregnancy Support Directors (L-R) – Laura Lamerton, Dr Ingrid
Kensey, Dr Sarah Jensen, Isabelle Hoodcamp, Kiara De Rooy.

Pregnancy can be a key turning point in a woman’s life, where she can develop healthy peer and mentoring relationships, engage in holistic care for her physical and mental health, and be equipped to become a capable and confident mother despite the challenges she faces, according to First Steps Pregnancy Support (FSPS) founder and Medical Director Dr Sarah Jensen.

The GP obstetrician saw a long-standing vision come to fruition this month, with the official opening of FSPS in Queanbeyan on 27 March.

The non-profit organisation provides comprehensive care and a community of support for pregnant women facing challenging circumstances.

“It has been a huge amount of work over the past three years, that culminated in the opening of our first premises, and it was such a joy to celebrate this with my team and the many people and organisations who have supported us,” Dr Jensen said.

“I absolutely love spending time with women, answering all their questions, teaching them about the changes they are experiencing in pregnancy and how to prepare for birth and parenting.”

Dr Jensen said for women doing it tough, pregnancy is all too often seen as an additional risk factor to be dealt with that will contribute to her disadvantage if she continues with the pregnancy.

“The need in the Queanbeyan region for comprehensive support in pregnancy is great,” she said.

“Even in the last eight weeks, as we have gradually welcomed women into our new space for appointments, I have been reminded daily just how resilient women are and the strength of their instincts to love and protect their children amidst often quite dire circumstances.”

Dr Jensen said women in need didn’t just need the health care and material support FSPS could provide.

“They need a job. They need a place to live. They need good financial advice,” she said.

“They need to know that the faces down the main street are friendly, and that the community as a whole is for mothers. They say it takes a village to raise a child and this is incredibly true, but I would like to extend this to also say it takes the encouragement and support of a whole community to enable a mother to thrive.”

“It is my hope for First Steps Pregnancy Support that we can rally the whole community around our women and that they would know we are for her and with her and that she does not have to face the challenges life has given her on her own.”

FSPS already has nine women under its care, expecting their babies in the next few months.

“In the past few weeks, we have been able to start seeing them in our new space for their medical appointments, with myself and a midwife being able to spend as much time as needed with them,” Sarah said.

“My appointments include seeing their baby on ultrasound, talking through their symptoms, baby’s movements etc and ensuring they are linked in with the supports they need. Our midwife has been able to spend lengthy visits talking about nutrition, birth, breastfeeding and whatever else is relevant for the woman.”

FSPS also offers birth and parenting classes, a second-hand baby boutique and a social worker, who commences in early May.

Dr Jensen said mothers were key members of the community, and largely responsible for raising the next generation.

“If they are well supported and given the tools and resources to thrive, their children will greatly benefit and we will see long-term benefits to the wellbeing of the community as a whole,” she explained.

“First Steps Pregnancy Support gives the wider community a chance to rally around these mums, who are used to living without the basic support and networks that most of us take for granted. It is so wonderful seeing local mums, grandmas, businesses and bigger organisations all getting behind this vision.”