Pregnancy
Choosing Your Birth Worker
One of the first decisions to make is identifying a medical provider for pregnancy and delivery. Finding a professional you trust to help and support you through your pregnancy is an important first step. There are several types of providers available for pregnant mothers, and you have the power to choose the right fit for your needs and your insurance coverage.
Read More: Here’s an article that outlines the similarities and differences between different types of prenatal providers:
If you’re interested in exploring local healthcare providers, you can connect with our partners to learn about their available services:
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“Vitamins and minerals are important during pregnancy. The lack of vitamins can potentially increase the chances of a baby getting birth defects.”
– National Healthy Start, Fatherhood Advocacy Toolkit
Choosing a Pediatrician
Just as you choose a provider for your prenatal care, you’ll want to identify a pediatrician for your new baby who fits your family’s needs for care. This article outlines a few of the important questions you might want to consider when choosing your child’s pediatrician.
“Prenatal visits to a health care provider usually include a physical exam, weight checks, and providing a urine sample.”
– National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Birth Classes
Birth classes are an excellent opportunity for learning and preparing for the arrival of your baby — they can help to reduce anxiety and unknowns about labor and delivery. These learning opportunities are essential for planning, and understanding what to expect during the delivery process. Discover your birthing options, ways to address pain management, how you and your partner can work together, and the basics for breastfeeding. You can also learn about infant care, and taking your new baby home.
Here’s a great resource on the importance of birth education.
Participating in these classes can help you feel informed, comfortable, and confident in your care and the arrival of your baby. Check out our amazing partners who can help!
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“You will see your prenatal care provider many times before you have your baby. So you want to be sure that the person you choose has a good reputation, and listens to and respects you.”
– The Office on Women’s Health (OWH)
Pregnancy by Week
Pregnancy is an exciting time full of changes for you and your baby! This is a great resource that will explain the changes week by week.
If you work for a company that employs over 25 people you may be eligible for protected family leave from work under the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA) or the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Find more information about the OFLA and the FMLA in the link below:
“I feel supported, through and through. I have resources and someone to call always if my husband and I have questions.”
– Healthy Start Client Survey, 2023
Nutrition
Eating well during your pregnancy is one of the most important things you can do for your health and the health of your baby. While you need to get plenty of nutrients for the baby, you also need to maintain a healthy weight for yourself. It can be challenging when everyone seems to have an opinion to share about what’s best — so it’s important to be informed with good nutrition information.
The following resources are a great place to start:
Did you know that you can receive WIC support as soon as you are pregnant? WIC is a nutrition education program that helps pregnant women, new mothers, and young children learn how to eat well and stay healthy. WIC works to improve the health and nutrition of women and children during critical years of a child’s development.
You can fill out this easy form and be contacted directly from your local WIC office:
“It’s been a wonderful help, having a child that has extra needs due to health, life is crazy. Having so eone help find you resources and just check in takes a lot of stress off your shoulders.”
– Healthy Start Client Survey, 2023
Pregnancy Loss
“After the loss, you might be stunned or shocked. You might be asking, “Why me?” You might feel guilty that you did or didn’t do something to cause your pregnancy to end. You might feel cheated and angry. Or you might feel extremely sad as you come to terms with the baby that will never be. These emotions are all normal reactions to loss. With time, you will be able to accept the loss and move on. You will never forget your baby. But you will be able to put this chapter behind you and look forward to life ahead.”
*From Office of Women’s Health & March of Dimes
If you have gone through a pregnancy loss you may qualify for protected leave from work if you work for a company that employs 25 people or more. OFLA provides up to a total of 12 weeks* protected leave per year for bereavement leave (up to 2 weeks of leave after the death of a family member).
Find more information about the OFLA and the FMLA in the link below:
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