Maternal Health Awareness Day – Don’t Delay Your Prenatal Visits

Maternal Health Awareness Day – Don’t Delay Your Prenatal Visits

Q&A with M. Hellen Rodriguez, MD, OB/GYN, Perinatologist, Medical Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Maternal Health Awareness Day reminds us that caring for mothers is a community responsibility. “Holding Ground on Maternal Health,” the theme for this year, means making sure every mother in our community feels safe, supported and respected when seeking care. Early and regular prenatal care saves lives, and we must continue working together to remove barriers and protect the health of mothers and babies.

Are you seeing or hearing about declines in prenatal care visits in our region?

In the Inland Empire area and beyond, we are seeing more women delay starting their prenatal care, and missing those first-trimester visits is becoming especially common. As a maternal-fetal medicine physician, this is concerning because early prenatal care helps us find problems sooner and keep both mom and baby healthy.

Why might some women be delaying prenatal care?

There are many reasons a woman might delay prenatal care. Some women have trouble getting time off work or finding childcare, or they may worry about the cost of care or their insurance status. Transportation can also be a challenge for community members in our region.

Other women feel fine early in pregnancy and may not realize how important early prenatal care is. Or they may feel nervous about seeing a doctor because of past experiences or fear of being judged. For some families, immigration concerns also make them afraid to seek care.

*It is critical for women to know that prenatal care is safe and private, no matter their immigration status. Many clinics in our area do not ask about immigration status and focus only on caring for patients. Community clinics, federally qualified health centers and telehealth visits can help women access care more easily.

For those mothers who find difficulties in attending in person prenatal classes, we are proud to offer BabyLive, our platform for free, virtual prenatal and postpartum classes and education that helps moms stay connected to care and receive education from home. Visit www.pvhmc.org/MaternitySupport for more information.

Why are first-trimester prenatal visits important?

During first trimester visits, we confirm the pregnancy and determine how far along the baby is. We check the mother’s health, including blood pressure and blood work, and screen for infections and other conditions that may impact the pregnancy. We also talk about nutrition and important vitamins like folic acid, safe medications, mental health and healthy habits. These early visits help us build trust and create a plan for a healthy pregnancy.

What are the risks of delaying prenatal appointments?

When women delay prenatal care, health problems may not be found early, this can lowers the accuracy of us knowing the baby’s due date and, importantly, can lead to serious issues like uncontrolled or gestational high blood pressure, early delivery or babies being born too small. Regular prenatal visits can help identify and prevent these problems, as well as give women the information and support they need throughout their pregnancy.

Which women might be more at risk if they delay prenatal care?

Women with health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, either new or uncontrolled, are at higher risk. First-time mothers, teens and older mothers also benefit greatly from early and regular care. Women facing socioeconomic factors, such as financial stress, language barriers or limited access to health care may be at higher risk if they do not get early and ongoing prenatal care and the support and resources provided at these appointments.

Our Family Education and Resource Center team can help you find a clinic or OB/GYN that accepts your insurance and offers these resources. Call us 909.865.9858 or email ferc@pvhmc.org to connect with us.