Now the next step in getting insured through the state is a trip into the dreaded welfare office. Let me tell you this, it was no fun at all! I was raised with money, and it was the most humbling thing I have done, ever. After sitting for hours waiting to get called back, I was finally seated with my “case worker” who proceeded to treat me as if I was a unwedded teen mother, and whom had no idea that *gasp* sex would cause a baby! So I was humiliated, embarrassed and upset.
They ran all of our information, and no surprise, we qualified. I have taken many tests in my life, but that is one I hope and pray I never pass again. Anyhow, they wanted me to go to this clinic where they sent most of the people on welfare. (I still shutter) but this clinic was notorious for not so good care, and most of the doctors main language was Spanish. They also wanted me to take a class on prenatal, infant and child care, called first steps. An amazing program, but when you passed a certain education level it truly seems dumbed down and childish. So I went to Hastings and bought “what to expect when you are expecting” and “pea in the pod” two books that got me through nine months.
I asked to be transferred to a different doctor, and they happily agreed, so the moment I left the office, upset, embarrassed, but secretly glad to have insurance, I called the doctors office. They set me up for an ultrasound and then two weeks later I was seeing my doctor for the first time. I was ecstatic.
The welfare office also pushed me in the direction of WIC. And quite honestly, I have no clue what I would have done without that program. I will forever be grateful for all the help they gave us, both though my pregnancy and afterwards. So much, that I am hoping to work with them someday. They treated me with respect and understanding, plus the help they gave was appreciated.
Through out my pregnancy, and even now, the way a young mother is treated still upsets me. I think there are so many girls who get knocked up and they have no desire to give up their age. Take 16 and pregnant and Teen Mom from MTV, those girls are in high school and getting pregnant. They are immature, irresponsible and so unready to be parents. They also don’t have the solid support of a good man. I think a lot of people in our society take that and apply it to anyone who looks under the age of 25. I think being a good mom has no age limit. My sister in law was in her teens when she found out she was expecting my niece, and now is happily married to the daddy, and has two under two and she isn’t even 20 yet, but she is one of the best moms I know. Another gal I know is a few months younger then me, and the moment she turned 21, decided to live like a 21 year old, not a mother. There is so much you give up the moment you find out you are expecting, unexpectedly or not.
I will never ever be able to go out and party, I will not just leave town, and I can not sleep all day. And you know what, I have no desire to. Ok maybe sleep all day… but I know its not even an option. I love being a mom and I live with no regrets. My son is my whole world, and I can honestly say I can not imagine my world without him. So I might be young, and I might make mistakes as a mother and person but I am trying my best and taking care of the child that God has in trusted to me. And you know what, I think I do a pretty ok job.
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