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Prenatal and Maternity Care

Even before your baby is born, there are many things you can do to give your baby the best possible start. The earlier you enter prenatal care, the better because fetal development begins even before most women realize they are pregnant.

Prenatal care will help make sure you are healthy and check to see that your baby is developing normally. You will get answers to your questions and learn how to best care for yourself during the pregnancy.

Are You Planning on Getting Pregnant?

Before you get pregnant, you may want to prepare for the emotional and lifestyle changes you will face as a new mother and father. Ask your healthcare provider about how to prepare for a healthy pregnancy.

Be Healthy! Plan Now
The California Teratogen Information Service explains several actions you can take prior to pregnancy to reduce your risk for having a baby with a birth defect and reduce your risk for complications.

Before Pregnancy
The March of Dimes provides helpful articles about preparing physically and emotionally for pregnancy.

Before You Get Pregnant: Information for All Women
Learn what you can do before pregnancy to give your baby a healthy start to life.

Every Woman California
Includes information about health issues for women and their partners before they become pregnant for the first time or between pregnancies.

Having a Healthy Pregnancy
Many birth defects happen very early in pregnancy, sometimes before a woman even knows she is pregnant. Learn about actions you can take to increase your chance of having a healthy baby.

Hospital Quality Ratings in California
The California HealthCare Foundation provides ratings for quality of care, patient experience, and safety measures for hospitals in your area.

Immunizations for a Healthy Pregnancy (English) (En Español) (pdf)
Immunizations are a safe way to protect you and your baby from some harmful diseases.

Immunizations Before, During, and After Pregnancy (pdf)
Vaccines help keep a pregnant woman and her growing family healthy.

Lead in Mexican Candy
Exposure to lead during pregnancy can impact your baby. Learn more about which candy is safe, and find help in your area for preventing lead poisoning.

Pregnancy-planning Education Program
Learn what you need to know now to have a safe pregnancy and healthy baby, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ThinkPregnancy.org
Learn more about the effects of alcohol and marijuana during pregnancy, from the Sonoma County Perinatal Alcohol and Other Drugs Action Team.

Women's Mental Health: What it Means to You
Learn about mental health issues that affect women during and after pregnancy, and find links to mental health organizations and support.

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How Do I Find Health Coverage?

Don't Delay Seeing a Doctor or Midwife! If you need help with health coverage, our staff can help you find maternity care that is affordable and convenient, to help you and your baby get the care you need. If you do not have health insurance, you may be eligible for Medi-Cal or AIM, California's low-cost health insurance program for pregnant women.

What is Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid health care program, and can help eligible women pay for the prenatal and maternity care they need. And through the enhanced care program, Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program, eligible women can receive complete prenatal care, health education, nutrition services, and psychosocial support for up to 60 days after delivery of their infants. The Medi-Cal income guidelines can help you determine if you are eligible for this program.

You can find a local prenatal care provider who accepts Medi-Cal from our list of providers. The Medi-Cal Presumptive Eligibility (PE) for Pregnant Women program allows providers to issue eligible women a temporary Medi-Cal card at the time of their first appointment. This means that many health care providers can help you obtain health coverage by qualifying you for Medi-Cal services right at their office.

If you already have Medi-Cal coverage, your new baby can also get health coverage. Be sure to ask your health care provider about Medi-Cal's Newborn Referral (pdf) program.

You can find out more about Medi-Cal from the California Department of Health Services. You can also request free assistance with your Medi-Cal application by contacting one of these locations in Sonoma County.

Dental Care for Pregnant Women with Medi-Cal Coverage

Maintaining good oral health during pregnancy is important to the overall health of expectant mothers and their babies. Medi-Cal covers dental care for pregnant women. You can find a local dental provider who accepts Medi-Cal from our list of providers.

What is AIM?

If you do not have health insurance (or have a high deductible), and do not qualify for Medi-Cal, you may be able to obtain maternity care through the Access for Infants and Mothers (AIM) program. The AIM program offers affordable prenatal and maternity insurance for middle-income pregnant women, and health insurance for their babies.

AIM offers coverage for pregnant women who:

• Are not more than 30 weeks pregnant
• Live in California
• Are not receiving Medi-Cal or Medicare benefits
• Do not have maternity insurance OR
• Have health insurance with a separate maternity-only deductible or co-pay of more than $500
• Have a gross family income that meets the AIM income guidelines

AIM benefits include:

• Full health care during pregnancy and for 60 days after the pregnancy ends
• Hospital delivery
• Full health care for the baby for one year

More information about the AIM program is available from the California Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board.

The AIM application is available online in English and in Spanish (pdf). If you need help filling it out, call the AIM Program at 1-800-433-2611. All help is free.

You can find a local prenatal care provider who participates in the AIM program from our list of providers.

You can also request free assistance with your AIM application by contacting one of the locations in Sonoma County who have eligibility workers on staff to help you, and can also provide you with the health care you need.

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What Should I Expect from My Prenatal Care?

Your initial visit for prenatal care should include a detailed interview and physical examination with a pelvic exam and laboratory tests. Your doctor or midwife will use this information to determine what care you will need. Regular visits throughout the pregnancy will monitor how you are doing and check to make sure the baby is growing. These later visits are an opportunity to discuss concerns or questions you may have about body changes during pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and parenting.

In addition, some health care providers are able to provide Medi-Cal clients with:

• free vitamins
• free in-depth nutrition, health education, and counseling visits
• free prenatal classes

These services are offered as part of Medi-Cal's Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program, or CPSP. You can review our list of providers to find a provider near you.

You should also talk to your health care provider about vaccines you may need to get during your pregnancy (pdf). For example, it is important for a pregnant woman to receive a flu shot during flu season. And if you are pregnant and plan to travel outside the United States, you should talk to your health care provider about vaccines.

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Are You Pregnant and Have Special Needs?

I am undecided about my plans for this pregnancy.
Pregnancy testing and counseling about your options are available for low or no cost. Our toll-free information line at 800-427-8982 can direct you to a provider that can offer you confidential and professional help. By seeking care as soon as you suspect you may be pregnant, you will have more choices available to you. Some abortion services are covered under the Medi-Cal Presumptive Eligibility (PE) for Pregnant Women program. If you are considering adoption, the California Department of Social Services provides information and counseling at 707-588-5000.

I want to quit smoking, or learn how to protect my child from the harmful effects of smoke.
Smoke-Free Babies is free program for Sonoma County women who use tobacco and are pregnant, or have a baby under six months of age. The Northern California Center for Well-Being offers three services: phone support, private appointments and a weekly group for mothers. For more information, download the brochure for this program in English (pdf) or Spanish (pdf), or visit The Northern California Center for Well-Being website.

The California Smokers Helpline is a program that can help you and/or family members quit smoking. Helpline services are free, funded by the California Department of Health. Call 1-800-NO-BUTTS for more information. Or, download this list of local smoking cessation programs (pdf), provided by the Dept. of Health Services, Prevention and Planning Division.

I need help with stopping my alcohol or other drug use.
Many women have received the right help and been able to make changes in their lives during pregnancy to stop using marijuana, alcohol or other drugs, both prescription and illegal. A woman needing help is encouraged to speak with her health care provider and ask for a referral to Sonoma County's Drug Free Babies program. She may also call 1-800-427-8982 and ask to speak with a public health nurse who will assist her.

I may have been exposed to a substance that might harm my unborn child.
If you think that you have been exposed to drugs, alcohol, chemicals, infectious diseases or any other physical agents which may be harmful to your unborn child, the Pregnancy Risk Information Line can provide free, confidential pregnancy risk information over the telephone at 800-532-3749, or at their website.

I am in a violent or abusive relationship.
Contact the YWCA 24-hour Hotline at 707-546-1234 today. You deserve to have a safe and healthy environment for you and your unborn child.

I am a pregnant teen or young father.
Pregnant teens and young fathers can receive confidential services through Teen Parent Connections. This program promotes prenatal wellness, assists young parents in continuing their education and provides access to necessary services. Services are free and provided County wide for age-eligible adolescents.

I have special needs during my pregnancy.
If you are pregnant and are having difficulty seeing your provider, or have social/emotional issues, or need help quitting substances that can harm your baby, or would like to learn about resources in our community, then a public health nurse can help you.

I am diabetic.
If you know, or suspect you have diabetes, the earliest care possible will help protect you and your developing baby. The California Diabetes and Pregnancy Program "Sweet Success" can provide diabetic women who are pregnant with education, nutrition, psychosocial and medical services. Call 800-427-8982 and ask about the "Sweet Success" diabetes and pregnancy program.

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