Prenatal, Maternal, & Child Health Services

Are you pregnant? Do you have a new baby? The Cayuga County Health Department offers a variety of free programs for pregnant women, new mothers, and babies.

Pregnant women referred by their obstetrician and postpartum women from their hospital maternity unity to Cayuga County Health Department shall receive a professional registered nurse’s emotional support and practical assistance during the challenging transition to motherhood, including referral to community resources deemed appropriate and desired by the pregnant/postpartum woman.

Program Overview

                Improving the well-being of mothers, infants, and children is an important health goal. Their well-being determines the health of the next generation and can influence the prediction of future health challenges for families, communities, and the health care system. 

                Cayuga County Health Department encourages local OB/GYN physicians and providers to refer their prenatal women to the prenatal program whereby qualified registered nurses will follow up and provide education and services. The health department collaborates with local services to fulfill the needs of prenatal women to better prepare for delivery and establish relationship to further support postpartum needs.

                In collaboration Auburn Community Hospital (ACH) Maternity Unit, provides support to new mothers and infants. ACH refers all postpartum women to the Maternal Child Program. The health department qualified registered nurses follow up with the new mothers to provide support, education, breast-feeding consultation, and referral tp community services if needed. 

Program Goals:

• Through collaboration with obstetricians, mid-wives, hospitals, and community partnerships will provide a unified approach in delivering prenatal and postpartum care, education, and guidance. 
• The pregnant woman will understand the importance of prenatal and postpartum care and attend all appointments. Support and assistance provided to overcome barriers.
• Improve or enhance the pregnant woman’s health behavior(s) resulting in decrease of low- birth infant weight and/or mother complication(s).
• Through active listening and support, the pregnant and postpartum women will navigate the developmental transition to motherhood with emotional skills to achieve realistic expectations, feelings of competency, and self-compassion.
• To assist in identifying woman who may be at risk for perinatal mental health issues; support prenatal and postpartum women who may experience baby blues, and subsequent postpartum depression.
• Promote and prepare a pregnant woman in advance of delivery to successfully breast feed infant.

Helpful Links:

• Cayuga County Women, Infants & Children Program (WIC)
• Reach CNY
• Auburn Community Hospital
• Importance of Breastfeeding
• New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)
• Office of Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• La Leche League International

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