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Resources available for pregnant Jacksonville military moms while partners are deployed

Being a new mom can be a challenge in itself, but when your partner is deployed in the military and misses the birth of his own child, it brings a whole new set of challenges.

“Imagine opening an email from your wife: ‘I’m in labor,’” said Navy wife Jennifer Murray.

Murray is due to give birth any day now.

By the time her husband meets their newborn, Riley will be 7 months old.

Her husband, Daniel Murray, deployed a few days ago.

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“He’s, like, everything to me. So when he leaves, it’s like, oh, this really sucks, this really sucks, this really sucks,” said Murray.

If you know a mom in Murray’s situation, you may want to be supportive but not know what to say.

“If I ask for support, that is what I receive: ‘You signed up for this.’ And I know I did, but is there, like, anything anyone can say besides that?” said Murray.

Action News Jax asked Murray what people should say instead.

“You’re doing great. You’re going to get through this. Just hang in there,” said Murray.

Naval Station Mayport also has a New Parent Support Home Visitation Program, where home visitors make sure parents have what they need while their spouses are deployed.