In June 2023, J.F.P. a 38-year-old Colombian woman, found herself at a crossroads. Referred by Social Services to AMAM, she was in her 16th week of pregnancy and had only been in Spain for seven months.
Her journey to Spain began in December 2022, accompanied by her partner, the father of her child. Despite the excitement of a new beginning, the reality of her situation soon set in. With little family support and only her partner's parents to rely on, she faced numerous challenges. They shared a rented room in a flat with her partner's family, and the lack of knowledge about community or health resources added to her socio-economic vulnerability. Her partner worked odd jobs, and she cared for an elderly person on an ad hoc basis.
Living with her partner's family was not easy. She had to submit to their rules and could not express her needs or wishes, creating a conflictual atmosphere. Despite these challenges, she made the decision to join the pregnancy group at AMAM. She felt empowered to make decisions and take control in many aspects of her life, especially with her in-laws. She also managed to bond with her pregnancy, something she initially hesitated to reveal at work due to the unplanned nature of her pregnancy and her need to work.
During her time in the pregnancy group, J.F.P. nurtured and trained herself in her role as a mother, enhancing her skills and preparing mentally for childbirth. Most importantly, she found a space where she felt she was not alone. She established relationships and opened up emotionally through sharing. She attended workshops with professionals, leisure outings, and women's circles.
In January 2024, two months after Liam was born, J.F.P. started participating in the postpartum group. She had a need to express her birth story and her feelings. She felt sadness and incomprehension from her baby's father. Her in-laws judged her every decision regarding the care of her baby. Attending the groups relieved her of the guilt generated by her immediate environment and context.
During this period, J.F.P. suffered a situation of gender-based violence in public by her partner, who assaulted her and took her baby away. Fortunately, it happened in a public space with witnesses, allowing her to file a complaint and obtain a court order. She was placed in a safehouse for women victims of violence, where she stays with her son.
Due to the situation, she continued to receive individual monitoring. Once the circumstances improved and she felt better and prepared, she started attending again, participating in the group activities. In July, she finished her journey with AMAM and went on to participate in Itaca’s continuation programme in September.
Through her journey, J.F.P. experienced an increased sense of validation in her role as a mother, empowerment as a woman with scientifically informed evidence, improved maternal self-efficacy, better bonding during pregnancy, expanded social relationships and support network, and improved emotional management. She expressed her gratitude, saying, "My motherhood without AMAM would not have been the way it is. I can only say THANK YOU!"
Looking ahead, J.F.P. is in the process of finding a flat for her and her son, with financial support from social services for cases of violence and/or vulnerability. She is happy to remain linked to Itaca and wants to work as soon as her son starts kindergarten to become independent. The link and feeling of belonging to the peer group, along with the friendly environment and space of respect and non-judgment, have allowed her to share her experiences, doubts, and fears. The individual accompaniment offered by the program has been crucial in following up on each case, taking into account the individuality of each circumstance and working on the link with the program.
