VA holds baby shower, shines light on Women’s Services

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - While many know the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for its wide range of resources, the agency is also raising awareness for one that many may not know of- Women’s Veterans Services.

On Monday morning, an unusual mix of “ooh’s” and “aww’s” could be heard in the conference room as the VA welcomed its first military-born baby of 2022, Wade Patton, son of U.S. Army Specialist Amanda Spearing.

While Spearing received a warm greeting at her baby shower, the Army veteran was grateful for all the maternity care services available last year.

“I originally moved down here from Amarillo in the middle of my pregnancy. And so, through the help of the VA, they really got the ball rolling for me down here to get the help that I needed,” she said. “Anything that I really needed, during my pregnancy, they were able to send to the house. I didn’t have to come to pick it up. It was all delivered.”

“(We) just assist them with anything they might need to make their pregnancy a little bit easier,” said Carmen Weaver, who serves as the Women’s Health RN Coordinator.

The assistance that expectant mothers need goes beyond the cute presents and clothes. Weaver says female veterans are often overlooked by the public and play an equally vital role in the U.S. military.

“We track all of the procedures that women have through our program. Make sure we get results on those folks. We also have a baby shower that we do for the Moms that we follow in our maternity program,” Weaver says. “Yes, they’re Veterans as well, and they deserve the same care that other male Veterans get. Historically, there haven’t been many programs for them, so we really appreciate the opportunity to make them feel a part of the VA.”

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