Please note that you can enroll in Healthy Start at any point in your pregnancy.

Step 1: Say YES to the Prenatal Risk Screen

On your first prenatal visit, your doctor will offer the prenatal risk screen. This screen will help you and your healthcare provider see if there are any risks that could impact you having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. The screen can be used by your doctor throughout your pregnancy to ensure a successful, full-term pregnancy.

Step 2: Enroll in Healthy Start

Once you agree to complete the prenatal risk screen, you can decide to enroll in the Healthy Start program. This is a free program created to educate and support women throughout their pregnancy. Healthy Start services are free of charge and includes:

  • Pregnancy health education
  • Nutrition education
  • Childbirth preparation
  • Breastfeeding education and support
  • New baby care
  • Parenting education and support
  • Help to quit smoking
  • Stress management and emotional support
  • General support and community referrals

We provide a quite a bit of information and support; however, we make sure to tailor the program to your needs.

Step 3: Meet Your Care Coordinator

When you enroll in Healthy Start, you will be connected with a care coordinator who will then tailor the program to your specific needs. Care coordinators can come to your home (or any other place you designate) to help keep you on the path to a healthy pregnancy. Services include:

  • Pregnancy health education
  • Nutrition education
  • Childbirth preparation
  • Breastfeeding education and support
  • New baby care
  • Parenting education and support
  • Help to quit smoking
  • Stress management and emotional support
  • General support and community referrals

You will meet with your care coordinator at least once a month and possibly more often if the two of you decide it is necessary.

Step 4: Have a Healthy Pregnancy

You are now on your way to a healthy, full-term pregnancy and birth. It is important to take care of yourself these next few months. We encourage you to:

  • eat healthy, well-balanced meals;
  • get some form of physical activity daily;
  • take your prenatal vitamins with at least 400mcg of folic acid;
  • go to all of your prenatal appointments;
  • count your baby’s kicks every day at the same time;
  • talk to your doctor if you have any concerns no matter how “small” you think it may be;
  • create a birthing plan (where you will give birth? do you want medication during labor? how many people in the room? etc.); and
  • select your baby’s pediatrician before you give birth (click HERE for a list of local pediatricians and family practice physicians).

Step 5: Find Additional Support

Now that you’re pregnant, you are likely getting a lot of information from your prenatal doctor, friends, family, and maybe even well-meaning strangers. Information and resources can be great tools throughout your pregnancy. We have compiled a list of resources on our FIND SUPPORT page. Take a look!