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Mulishani
Mulishani (which means hello in Bemba), my name is Naomi Mwenya, and I am a wife and a mother of four children. My family is based in suburban Calgary, and for the past 10 years, I have been a full-time homemaker and homeschool teacher. Before having children, I worked as a Research Assistant at the Veterans Hospital in Loma Linda, California.
My Role in the Research Team
As an immigrant black woman from Zambia, I look forward to contributing to this team by sharing my experiences, which may resonate with other people living in Alberta. Having worked in research, I feel that drawing information from the community you are studying is very important. This allows you to understand the specific needs and provide relevant solutions. Ultimately, you save time, money, and other resources by addressing the person's needs rather than hypothesizing what you think they need. Communities are also more likely to accept recommendations, knowing they address their specific needs.
My Experience with Pregnancy Care
My pregnancy care started with my family doctor. She was extremely helpful and pointed me to many resources, including a birth and babies’ class that was key in helping my husband and me understand what was happening. At around 3 months into my pregnancy, I was referred to a maternity health clinic in the city for the remainder of my pregnancy care.
While I struggled with the idea of seeing multiple physicians instead of only one, the experience was generally good. Every visit allowed me to share any concerns and ask questions. As I approached delivery, I was instructed on what to do when I went into labour and what to expect. Since my babies were all late and had to be induced each time. Towards the end of the pregnancies, the care I received usually became more specific to my needs and focused on ensuring that both the baby and I were as healthy as possible.
My Vision for the Future
My hope for pregnancy care in the future is that moms-to-be can be seen by fewer providers, allowing them to build a connection with someone they feel knows and understands their unique situations. I believe the more intimate the connection with the care provider, the more focused the care can be, allowing a provider to detect if anything is amiss more easily.