A teenage mum has hailed a support programme for first-time mothers that is being rolled out across Fife.
Danielle Duncan, 18, started on the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) in October last year and gave birth to her daughter Ella-Louise in April.
The programme helps first-time mothers during pregnancy and throughout the first two years of their baby’s life.
Launched in Fife in August 2012, the FNP which looks to build confidence in young mothers aged 19 and under is now set to expand throughout the region.
And Rosyth mum Danielle has been transformed from a wary beginner to one of the scheme’s biggest advocates.
She said: “At first me and my partner didn’t want to do it and my mum thought that they were actually saying because I was young, I wouldn’t really cope.
“I thought about it and decided to give it a go. I have loved being on it.”
Family nurses visit expectant mothers regularly at home during pregnancy and after their baby’s birth to offer guidance and support. They cover areas such as child development, preventative health measures, parenting skills, breastfeeding, better diet, education and employment.
Danielle added: “With me being a first- time mum I thought maybe everything I was doing was wrong.
“My nurse Lesley was always there for me. She didn’t tell me what to do but advised me on how I could improve if I thought I wasn’t doing so well.
“She was not like a health visitor I found they tried to tell me exactly what I must do. Lesley told me that it was my baby and she was only there to help me if I was struggling, even with something like making a bottle.
“I wasn’t sure how long to leave it after giving it to your baby and she hadn’t taken it all. Lesley reassured me that you can only leave it for an hour maximum and a new one has to be made.
“Or exercises like trying to build a baby’s brain I never knew anything about that but Lesley went through so much.
“There were even exercises for myself. For example, I had the beads of pride, where every time I did something that I was proud of I was to put a bead on a bit of rope.
“Being on the programme has given me so much more confidence.”
The scheme had an initial team of a supervisor, four family nurses and an administrator, which expanded to include a further two family nurses in January.
Now, following the early success, the Fife team is set to double in size with an additional supervisor, six family nurses and administrator recruited, increasing the programme’s capacity by 100%.
Danielle was delighted that more young mums will now have the chance to take part in the scheme, adding: “I have liked being on it so much that I’m actually disappointed that if I have another baby I won’t be able to go on it again.
“I would recommend it to anybody.”
NHS Fife executive nurse director Dr Scott McLean said: “The Family Nurse Partnership supports parents and their babies at a crucial stage, offering guidance and advice to young mothers to build their confidence and help improve future health and wellbeing.
“We are delighted that the excellent work taking place in Fife has resulted in further expansion, allowing us to work with and support more clients across the whole of Fife.”
Photo by David Wardle