Anya Maria is the parent of a 2-year-old in an early childhood program for which you are the executive director. She has just told you that she is 4 months pregnant with her second child. During your initial conversation, you discover that she has not yet seen her doctor, that she is trying to maintain a healthy diet, and that she plans to visit with a doctor soon. She is taking over-the-counter prenatal vitamins and has recently quit smoking and drinking. Her job as a certified nursing assistant is a bit stressful, and she is hoping to cut back on the 12-hour shifts that she is currently working.

She confides there are several things she is concerned about when she thinks about the birth of her child. She and her 2-year-old are new to the community and unaware of available health resources. The father of the children recently left the family, and paying for child care and other bills represents a pressing concern. You are concerned that Anya Maria has not connected with other families in the program, and you learn that her extended family lives more than 4 hours away.

To prepare:

Reflect on this quote: “The fetus is an active being from the start, responding to stimuli but also actively initiating events” (Music, 2017). Consider information presented in the Learning Resources about impact of prenatal development on a child’s healthy development and learning, and the importance of supporting healthy contexts for mothers and the developing fetus.