Prenatal care is simply the medical care that a pregnant woman gets to make sure she and her baby are o.k.
- Why is prenatal care so important?
A lot can happen to both mother and child during the course of a normal 9-month pregnancy. Going to all of your prenatal care visits helps the medical staff keep track of your baby’s progress as well as your health. This is also the best place to catch any problems and address them before they become more serious.
- Who needs to get prenatal care?
All pregnant women should get prenatal care, even if they have already had several children. Every pregnancy is different. Getting prenatal care with every pregnancy will give you peace of mind and help your baby get off to a healthy start.
- When should I begin prenatal care?
As soon as you find out you are pregnant! The sooner you begin your prenatal care the better.
- Where do I get prenatal care?
-If you have a regular doctor, call and tell him or her that you are pregnant. They will guide you through the process.
-If you do not have health insurance, call (512) 972-5390 and ask for a prenatal care appointment. You will get an appointment at a Community Health Center. See “Where to Go for Care” for a map of clinics.
-You can also call the insure•a•kid Helpline at (512) 324-2447 for a health care eligibility screening. They will find out what types of health care coverage you are eligible for.
- That all sounds good, but what does it cost?
Depending on your income, the services are either free or very low cost. Don’t let cost keep you from getting the best health care for you and your baby. These services are available to everyone.
