Prenatal Care

Finding Out You're Pregnant Can be Exciting and Overwhelming 

Your baby is growing and your body is changing, and the more you know about what’s happening in your body, the more in control you’ll feel.

That’s why one of the most important things you can do is choose a prenatal care provider who can help you while you’re pregnant. A provider who sees you regularly, can spot health problems early and can talk to you about how you can help your unborn baby.

Mothers in prenatal care have healthier pregnancies. Mothers who are not in care are three times more likely to have a baby of low birth weight and five times more likely to have a baby who dies at birth.

Your County Health Department Can Help You Find Affordable Prenatal Care 

Your local health department can connect you to the services that can keep you in prenatal care while you’re pregnant.

If you’re at a low income and eligible, Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women (PEPW) will be your first step toward prenatal coverage. PEPW is temporary coverage that can keep you healthy early in your pregnancy before Medicaid kicks in.

In Florida, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) determines Medicaid eligibility for prenatal care. After PEPW, Medicaid will cover you for the rest of your pregnancy.

Healthy Start offers services to pregnant women, infants and children up to age three. Services include: provider referral, ongoing care coordination, and childbirth, breastfeeding and parenting support.

Resources for Healthy Pregnancies 

Florida Pregnancy Support Services - The network of pregnancy centers can be found all over Florida and are staffed with compassionate professionals who can help answer any questions or concerns you may have. Learn more about free resources such as medical-grade pregnancy tests, sonograms, parenting classes, and referrals to trusted local community support. 

Nurse-Family Partnership (Home Visiting Program) - With a free personal nurse, you can access support services and information you need during your pregnancy and when your baby arrives. You must be a first-time mom that is pregnant 28 weeks or less.

Newborn Screening - A few drops of blood are drawn from the newborn’s heel 24 to 48 hours after birth, and tests for hearing loss and critical congenital heart defects are conducted before the newborn leaves the hospital.

Florida Healthy Families (Home Visiting Program) - Healthy Families Florida is a nationally accredited home visiting program for expectant parents and parents of newborns experiencing stressful life situations.

Hope Florida - Provides Florida parents with all the tools they need to be successful for themselves and their families. We foster community collaboration between the public and private sector, faith-based communities, and nonprofits, to break down traditional community silos. We maximize resources and uncover opportunities for good people to help Floridians in need.