BECOMING A PARENT:
Continuing Your Pregnancy
If you plan to continue your pregnancy, it is important that you begin pre-natal care with a physician to ensure that you will continue to have a healthy pregnancy. If you are concerned that the medical care associated with a pregnancy may be too expensive for you to afford, you should know that you may be eligible for Medicaid coverage through your pregnancy and beyond. In New York, financial help is available for low-income women through the Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP). For more information about PCAP and to find a healthcare provider in your area who accepts PCAP, call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline at 1-800-522-5006 (toll-free). This hotline also provides information about related pregnancy and prenatal care services. More information is available on the Department of Health website at http://www.health.state.ny.us/community/.
If you live in New York City, the NYC Department of Health’s Women’s Healthline offers free information and referrals to women on a whole range of pregnancy related issues. To reach the NYC Women’s Healthline call 800-698-0411 or 311. The Healthline’s hours of operation are weekdays, from 9 am to 9 pm, and Saturdays, from 9 am to 5 pm.
Choosing a Doctor:
Make sure the doctor you choose has a good reputation and has privileges at a hospital that has a good labor and delivery department. Check out the philosophy of the hospital’s delivery department by visiting their website. Some hospitals offer tours of their labor and delivery departments, which offer a good opportunity to ask staff about their approach to the childbirth experience. Can you have a natural childbirth experience? What type of pain control options do you have? You can look up any complaints against that doctor at the New York State Department of Health’s Office of Professions under “Professional Misconduct and Physician Discipline” at http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/opmc/main.html or call 1-800-663-6114. Asking friends, family members, and neighbors for their recommendations and experiences is also a good way to learn more about area doctors.
There are several types of practitioners that deliver babies. To find out more information about the different types of birth experiences and choices available to you, explore these links:
American Pregnancy Association
www.americanpregnancy.org
1425 Greenway Drive, Suite 440
Irving, TX 75038
800-672-2296
questions@americanpregnancy.org
This non-political organization provides education, research, and advocacy to promote reproductive health and wellness throughout pregnancy. They offer a website and toll-free hotline to answer women’s questions about pregnancy.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
www.acog.org
409 12th Street, SW
Washington DC 20024
202-638-5577
This professional society for obstetricians and gynecologists, which are doctors who specialize in women’s reproductive health and delivering babies, offers a listing of doctors by area.
American College of Nurse-Midwives
www.midwife.org
www.mymidwife.org
8403 Colesville Rd, Suite 1550
Silver Spring MD 20910
240-485-1800
The American College of Nurse-Midwives is a professional organization for certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives. Their website provides more information about midwifery care and how to find a midwife in your area.
Childbirth Connection
www.childbirthconnection.org
281 Park Avenue South, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10010
212-777-5000
Childbirth Connection is a national not-for-profit organization that uses research, education and advocacy to improve maternity care for all women and their families. Their website provides information and resources on planning for pregnancy, pregnancy, labor and birth, and the postpartum period.
Doulas of North America
www.dona.org
P.O. Box 626
Jasper, IN 47547
888-788-DONA (3662)
Doulas are specialized (usually non-medical) healthcare providers who provide emotional, physical, and educational support during and after childbirth, including methods for relaxation during labor and help with breastfeeding. Doulas do not deliver babies, so you will still need to choose a provider who does, but Doulas can help make the birth experience more comfortable. Their website offers a listing of providers by area.
