Mothers and babies are more likely to be as healthy as possible when prenatal care starts early and continues throughout the pregnancy. Health managers can find out if a pregnant woman has health insurance. They can also help a woman without health insurance find out if she is eligible and apply for Medicaid benefits.

Pregnancy care providers give their patients information about what babies need for a healthy start in life. Infants whose mothers do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die from complications related to low birth weight, prematurity, birth defects, and maternal health complications.

Health managers can help families understand the different types of pregnancy providers and make a birth plan. Pregnancy care providers include the following:

• Obstetricians – medical doctors who give medical and surgical care to pregnant women
• Midwives – health professionals who give full, family-centered maternity care from the first prenatal visit through labor and delivery
• Doulas – nonmedical professionals who give emotional, physical, and educational support to expectant families through pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period

Programs should help expectant families find a pregnancy care provider who meets their needs.

Tips and Strategies for Supporting Prenatal Care

• Help pregnant women without health insurance apply for Medicaid benefits if they are eligible.
• Offer resources to help expectant families decide which pregnancy care provider is right for them.
• Create a list of prenatal care providers in the community and share it with expectant families who need a referral.
• Share resources with expectant families to help them understand the birthing process before delivery.
• Encourage pregnant women to advocate for themselves and their birth plan.