When Olivia Pierce discovered she was pregnant again, she was flooded with both joy and fear. After losing twins in 2021, she didn't know what to expect a second time around.
When Olivia learned she was considered high-risk, her anxiety grew. She visited her doctor nearly every day, fearful of experiencing another loss. Seeing her distress, Olivia’s physician referred her to Nurse-Family Partnership, a home visiting program offered locally through a partnership between Greenville Health System and Greenville County First Steps. Supported by a blend of public and private funds, the program pairs registered nurses with first-time moms for ongoing support from pregnancy through their child’s second birthday.
“I told them, I’m good. I don’t need help,” she recalled. But as the feelings of isolation deepened, she reconsidered. “I felt very alone. So, I thought, let me just go ahead and take this opportunity.”
That choice, she now says, changed her and her son Ja’dore’s life forever.
Though Olivia had supportive family and friends, it was her nurse, Dwan, who became her steady anchor. From baby supplies like formula and diapers to emotional support, Dwan offered more than just healthcare; she provided comfort and connection. “Having the nurse there to help me through the challenges of being a mom and just being that person I needed, it meant so much,” Olivia said. “She gave me a chance to take a deep breath and feel like, okay, I have someone in my corner.”
Dwan also guided Olivia through postpartum depression and moments of doubt when her son, born weeks before Olivia’s due date, wasn’t meeting the typical developmental milestones for his age. Though not officially premature, he was tiny. As he grew, Olivia became increasingly concerned. “When he turned 18 months and still wasn’t walking, I was afraid something was wrong,” she said. But Nurse Dwan reminded her that children develop at their own pace. Just days later, Ja’dore stood up and walked. “I just needed to let him walk on his own time,” Olivia said.
Now thriving, Ja’dore’s development has taken off, with a growing vocabulary, curiosity, and eagerness to learn. Picture books and sensory activities from Dwan have helped Olivia teach him numbers and letters, and he’s even learning people’s names. “I truly believe this program has helped me teach him at home,” Olivia said. “So when he starts daycare, he’ll already know so much, maybe even be ahead.”
As she nears the end of the Nurse-Family Partnership program, Olivia reflects on her journey with gratitude. “I feel like it’s a blessing to be a mom,” she said. “I lost my kids the first time, so having this opportunity to finally be Ja’dore’s mom, it truly means everything to me." She cherishes their adventures together, from zoo trips to afternoons at the children’s museum, soaking in the joy of motherhood.
Her message to other mothers is simple but powerful:
“This is a great program, especially for single moms looking for support, whether they're pregnant, new to parenting, or just trying to find their way... Having the right people in your life makes all the difference.”
In South Carolina, Nurse-Family Partnership is available in several counties through local First Steps partnerships and healthcare providers. In Greenville County, the program is offered through a collaboration between Greenville Health System and Greenville County First Steps, supported by generous funding from The Duke Endowment, United Way of Greenville County, and Children’s Trust of South Carolina, with additional contributions from Hollingsworth Funds, the Community Foundation of Greenville, and Greenville Women Giving.
Learn more about Nurse-Family Partnership and other Health Programs offered by First Steps.
Topics:
Health, Home Visiting
