Preconception Health Matters
Your health before pregnancy is very important and can affect the health of your future baby. By making a plan before getting pregnant, you can take steps to a healthier you and baby-to-be. The healthier you are, the better chance you have of your baby being born healthy. Take care of your health by eating healthy, exercising, and minimize your exposure to stress.
Focus on Prenatal Care
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.
Finding Affordable Prenatal Care
Your local county health department can connect you to the services that can keep you in prenatal care while you’re pregnant.
If you’re have low income and eligible, presumptive eligibility for pregnant women will be your first step toward prenatal coverage. This is temporary coverage that can keep you healthy early in your pregnancy before Medicaid enrollment starts.
The Florida Department of Children and Families determines Medicaid eligibility for prenatal care.
Healthy Start
Offers services to pregnant women, infants, and children up to age three. Services include: provider referrals, ongoing care coordination and childbirth, breastfeeding, and parenting support.
Resources for Healthy Pregnancies
Strong Florida Moms
Combined resources from Florida agencies, Strong Florida Moms provides information about what to expect during pregnancy, resources for health care, and community resources such as local support groups and classes.
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.
Florida Pregnancy Support Services
Pregnancy centers can be found all over Florida and are staffed with professionals who can help answer any questions or concerns you may have, and assist with free resources such as medical-grade pregnancy tests, sonograms, parenting classes, and referrals to local community support.
Newborn Screening
A few drops of blood are drawn from the newborn’s heel 24-48 hours after birth, and tests for hearing loss and critical congenital heart defects are conducted before the newborn leaves the hospital.
Hope Florida
Provides Florida parents with all the tools they need to be successful for themselves and their families. Hope Florida fosters community collaboration between the public and private sector, faith-based communities, and nonprofits, to break down traditional community silos.
Printable Resources
Healthy Pregnancy Posters
Family Health Line
The Family Health Line is a free statewide hotline, available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole providing callers with information on community resources and answering basic questions about pregnancy, breastfeeding, childbirth education, and other pregnancy-related concerns.
Call 800-451-BABY
Florida Newborn Screening
An important first step in new parenthood is to make sure your baby has all parts of the newborn screening testing completed with all results delivered. Early detection and treatment of health issues can help your baby grow up healthier.
Women, Infants & Children
Pregnant, recently pregnant, and breastfeeding women, and infants and children under 5 years old are eligible for WIC benefits.
Strong Florida Moms
Access information about what to expect during pregnancy, health care resources, events in your community, and answers to many of the questions Florida moms have about parenting.
Father First
Join Florida fathers in educational and mentorship programs, and one-on-one support to encourage each other and support responsible and involved fatherhood.
Pregnancy Oral Health
Good oral health is an important part of prenatal care, as the health of a mother’s body becomes the health of her baby. Brushing, flossing, eating healthy foods, and getting dental health checkups and treatment will help keep you and your baby healthy.