Resources for a Healthy Pregnancy
Prenatal Care
CelebrateOne wants you, your baby, and your family to be healthy, safe, and happy during your pregnancy and after the birth of your baby.
Accessing prenatal care as early as possible during pregnancy is one of the most important things a mom-to-be can do to ensure her baby is born healthy. And thanks to the health care law and Medicaid expansion, accessing high-quality, affordable health coverage is easier than ever.
We can also help you or mom with getting signed up for Medicaid or private health coverage and other important services that will help you and your baby.
If you are pregnant, don’t go through it alone. Schedule an appointment with a doctor today. View our partners’ list of local prenatal care offices to find the right doctor in the right place for you.
If you do not have insurance/Medicaid, you should still schedule and attend an appointment. Your provider will assist you with getting coverage during your appointment.
Find a provider through StepOne
Why does Prenatal Health Matter?
One out of every three moms-to-be gets prenatal care late (2nd trimester) or not at all. As a result, babies born too small and too early are one of the reasons so many babies in central Ohio die before their first birthday. Regular prenatal care allows doctors to spot and treat health problems early in a pregnancy. Doctors and prenatal care teams also can talk to pregnant women about things they can do to give their unborn babies a healthy start to life.
Pregnancy & Parenting Support Groups
Moms2B
Moms2B offers FREE weekly prenatal education during pregnancy. Join to learn how to have a healthy pregnancy, talk with healthcare professionals, share a meal and make new friends. Moms2B has groups across the Columbus area and offers transportation assistance, free child care and incentives for attendance. Weekly groups meet in Near East, Hilltop, Franklinton, Linden, North Side, Southeast, Southside, and Weinland Park.
Call Moms2B at 614-292-1605 to find a group near you and learn more. See the Moms2B brochure for locations and times.
Mothers Cove
Mothers Cove meets the first and third Monday of each month from 6-8 p.m. at First Church of God on Refugee Road. See the brochure for meeting dates. The FREE program includes education on parenting topics, incentives, dinner, and transportation assistance to eligible participants.
Mothers Cove serves expecting moms and new moms with children under one year. Moms can be accompanied by a partner, friend, or other support person. Read more in the brochure.
Health Coverage Resources
If you need assistance with your healthcare applications, you can find many available throughout central Ohio for those who are need affordable insurance. The assistants can answer your questions and walk you through the process, step-by-step, of signing up for Medicaid or private insurance. They’ll also help you sign up for any discounts you can receive.
Search for help nearby:
Get Covered America
In addition, the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services can also help you enroll in Medicaid and a number of other important services – such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Healthy Start, and food and nutritional assistance for Women Infants and Children (WIC). https://jfs.franklincountyohio.gov/
Home Visiting Resources
Home Visiting Programs support pregnant women and families by providing access to local resources and services that will help them achieve a healthy pregnancy and raise children who are physically, socially and emotionally healthy and ready to learn.
By participating in free home visits, women and families receive advice, guidance and other help from health, social service and child development professionals. Through regular, planned home visits, parents learn how to improve their family’s health and provide better opportunities for their children.
Find Home Visiting resources available in Columbus. click here
Smoking Cessation
Smoking is widely known to be a leading cause of preventable death of infants under the age of 1.
Women who smoke during their pregnancy are more likely than those who don’t to have a baby born too small, too soon or to lose a baby to a sleep-related death. Once a baby is born, exposure to secondhand smoke increases the baby’s chances of a sleep-related death.
If you are a mom-to-be who is currently smoking, you can enroll in the Baby & Me Tobacco free program for support to help you quit smoking. click here
Anyone in your home can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to work on a plan to quit smoking.
Prematurity Prevention
Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy (more than three weeks early) are more likely to have serious health problems and stay in the hospital longer. Progesterone can help women who are more likely to have a premature birth to deliver their babies closer to full term (40 weeks). If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, ask a doctor, midwife or nurse about how progesterone can help you and your baby.
Progesterone Common Questions (PDF)
This educational handout provides answers to common questions about progesterone.
Progesterone Fact Sheet (PDF)
This factsheet provides information about premature delivery.
Premature Delivery and Future Pregnancies (PDF)
This educational handout provides information about premature delivery and future pregnancies.
Postpartum Care
Some women think that if they feel fine they don’t need to go to their postpartum visit.This isn’t true. All women should schedule and attend their postpartum visit. The postpartum visit is a check-up that occurs within the first few weeks after birth. During this visit, your healthcare provider will check on you and any health problems you may have had during your pregnancy, and answer your questions.
You can use our Postpartum Checkup guide to understand what will happen and what questions to ask.
View Guide Spanish Version
Safe Spacing
It’s great to wait 2 years to get pregnant again because it’s best for your baby, your body and your family.
• It gives your body time to heal and replenish the iron, vitamins and folic acid you need for another healthy pregnancy.
• It reduces the chances your next baby will be born too soon, too small or with birth defects.
• It reduces the risk of complications during pregnancy.
• It gives you time to focus on your family — and saves money for things they want and need.
There are many easy, safe and effective methods of birth control available including low maintenance methods that last for years at a time, are reliable and reversible.
Learn more about all the birth control methods available.
Talk to your health care provider about all of the birth control options available and find the one that’s best for you.
Find a provider. Here is a list of some of the providers around Columbus that can provide birth control, including the contraceptive implants and IUDs.