Navy veteran overcomes high-risk pregnancy with support from columbia va maternity care program | va columbia south carolina health care | veterans affairs

Navy Veteran Colleen Dibble always envisioned a future in law, but a desire to make a difference led her to military service. Enlisting in 2009, she began her career as a military police

officer, serving in Misawa, Japan, where she provided humanitarian aid following the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami. Later, she responded to the tragic active shooter incident

at the Washington Navy Yard, an experience that deeply affected her. Seeking a new path, she transitioned to a paralegal role and eventually served aboard the USS Nimitz, where she deployed

to the Middle East in 2017. Her military career, filled with challenges and accomplishments, came to an end in 2020 due to an injury. Since then, she has remained active in the Wounded

Warrior Program, using those resources for her recovery. That same resilience helped her face one of her greatest challenges—motherhood. When Dibble and her fiancé learned she was pregnant,

they never expected what came next. On April Fools’ Day, she received surprising news: she was expecting triplets. “The doctor said, ‘This is unusual,’ and then I saw three little circles on

the screen,” Dibble recalled. “I immediately thought, ‘I’m going to get huge and never return to my normal self.’” Navigating a high-risk pregnancy was daunting, especially as a first-time

mother. At 37, carrying multiples increased the risks, and in the final weeks, she struggled with mobility and breathing, leading to hospitalization a month before delivery. Her C-section

delivery was complicated by preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome—a life-threatening pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure, liver dysfunction, and low platelets—and severe

hemorrhaging, requiring multiple blood transfusions. The hardest part, she said, was being unable to see her newborns—Grace, Jake, and Molly—for several days while she recovered. Despite the

difficulties, Dibble credits the Columbia VA Health Care System’s Maternity Care Program with making the process easier. From the moment she informed her VA primary care physician, Nurse

Practitioner Destiny Byrd, and provider, Cathey Moore, Columbia VA’s Maternity Care Program Manager, of her pregnancy, the program quickly connected her with resources and support. “Miss

Cathey from the maternity care program was incredible. She called regularly to check on my progress and made sure I had everything I needed, from referrals to a breast pump and support

bands,” Dibble said. “She thought of everything before I even realized I needed it.” Moore, an Army Veteran, emphasized the importance of ensuring Veteran mothers feel supported throughout

their pregnancy and postpartum journey. “Our goal is to provide comprehensive, compassionate care that meets the unique needs of our Veterans,” Moore said. “Pregnancy can be overwhelming,

especially for those with complex medical histories, and we want them to know they are never alone in this process.” Moore also acknowledged the efforts of Adrin, who has been instrumental

in running the Maternity Care Program since its inception more than seven years ago. “Adrin has been the backbone of this program, managing it solo until 2023 when I joined her team,” Moore

said. “Her dedication to our Veteran mothers has been truly remarkable, and this program wouldn’t be what it is today without her commitment.” The program helped Dibble coordinate care with

Prisma Health, ensuring seamless communication between her VA providers and civilian specialists. Even after the babies arrived, the support continued. “Postpartum care is just as important

as pregnancy care, and the VA didn’t just close the door once I had the babies,” Dibble noted. She continues to receive follow-up care, including pelvic floor therapy, mental health support,

and maternity coordination until the infants are 1-year-old.  Adjusting to life with triplets has been overwhelming but rewarding. Dibble describes her home as “organized chaos” and

compares newborn care to an arduous deployment. “Your hours are crazy, expectations are high, and people are counting on you,” she said. “But my military experience gave me the organization

skills and mindset to push through.” Looking back, Dibble urges other Veteran moms to take full advantage of the Maternity Care Program. “It’s an absolutely phenomenal resource that eased so

much of my stress. They understand what it’s like to be a Veteran and ensure you receive the best possible care,” she said. “The Columbia VA is truly committed to providing high-quality

maternity care, and if you’re a pregnant Veteran, don’t hesitate—this program is life-changing.” For more information about what’s going on at the Veterans medical center, clinic locations

and other services available to Veterans in and around Columbia, visit the website https://www.va.gov/columbia-south-carolina-health-care/ and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram,

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