Pregnancy and Infants

A healthy pregnancy begins with a healthy you! By being proactive in your pre-pregnancy (preconception) journey you can reduce the likelihood of pregnancy-related complications. 

Visit, the Office on Women’s Health’s website for tips to improve your wellness before pregnancy. 

The best thing you can do for your future baby is to plan ahead. Planning your pregnancy means taking into consideration what it means for you to have a baby and making decisions with your partner about your family.

To help you feel prepared and confident as you embark on your journey, click here.

If you and your partner are struggling to have a baby, know that you’re not alone. Infertility can occur due to a variety of factors.  However, there are many safe and effective options that can improve your chances of getting pregnant.

To learn more about infertility and treatment options, click here. 

Congratulations! As you prepare to welcome your new baby, learn how First 5 Ventura County can support you and your child, prenatally through age 5, through a variety of resources by visiting our parenting page.

To explore topics such as the stages of pregnancy, prenatal care, bodily changes, and more, visit the Office on Women’s Health. 

Now that you’re pregnant, your nutrition and wellness choices can help increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Regular prenatal care is necessary to support the health of you and your baby. 

To explore how to have a healthy pregnancy, click here.

• County of Ventura – New Baby Resources
• Community Memorial Health – Maternity & Delivery
• Children’s Home Society of California (CHS)
• Paid Family Leave

Young people who become parents often experience intense and mixed feelings about the pregnancy and the idea of becoming a parent. Know that with a proper support system and preparation, it is possible to have a healthy pregnancy and be an excellent parent. 

For tips on how to have a healthy teen pregnanacy, visit the American Pregnancy Asociation. Additionaly, for suggestions on how to share the news with your loved ones and additional resources, click here.

If your teenage child is expecting, you can play a big role in supporting a healthy teenage pregnancy. Pregnant and parenting teens often face a mutltitude of challenges, ensuring that adolescent parents receive adequate social, emotional, medical, and academic support is essential to the parent and the baby’s future.

For tips on supporting your pregnant teen, visit. 

Many clinics provide free or low-cost counseling and reproductive health services, including birth control, for teens. By law, Title X family planning clinics must offer private and confidential services for teens. 

Learn more about teens’ rights in California, visit Sex, etc. 

• The Adolescent Family Life Program (AFLP)
• Free Pregnancy Testing
• Community Memorial Health – Maternity & Delivery
• Children’s Home Society of California (CHS)

Doulas are non-medical birth workers who provide educational, advocacy, and emotional support to birthing people and their families throughout the entire term of the pregnancy and postpartum period. Research has shown that utilizing a doula is extremely beneficial for the birthing parent and the baby and can improve birthing outcomes for women of color. 

To learn more about doula services as a Medi-Cal benefit, click here.

*note to self – program is covered beginning Jan 1, but program doesn’t seem like it will be ready by then*

You are your own best advocate. Babies are unpredictable and knowing your rights can help you better prepare so that you can advocate for yourself and your baby. If you are unable to work with a doula who can advocate on your behalf, view Healthline’s article on How to Advocate for Yourself and Your Baby During Delivery. 

One way to communicate your preferences to the Labor and Delivery staff who will care for you is to create a birth plan. A birth plan is an outline of what you would ideally like to happen during your labor and after the birth. Your birth plan is personal to you and depends on what you want and think is best.

Birth plans aren’t essential, but if you would like to explore making a birthing plan, visit the American Pregnancy Association. 

Becoming a parent is one of life’s biggest joys and responsibilities. As you are preparing to welcome the newest member of your family, there is a lot to think about. View the links below to help you prepare for labor and delivery.

• Explore birthing classes with your partner
• Tips to prepare siblings 
• Making your home safe for baby
• What to pack in your birthing bag
• Packing your bag for delivery day
• Recognize the early signs of labor

The Fourth Trimester is a critical time period in a birthing parent’s life, usually viewed as the time between birth and 12 weeks postpartum, which sets the stage for long-term health and well-being.

The Fourth Trimester is a time of recovery and adjustment as you are filled with many new experiences and changes. Remember to take care of yourself during these first few weeks to properly recover so that you can best care for your new baby. 

To learn more on how to recover from birth, click here.

Content

90% of your child’s brain is developed in the first five years. These years are critical for developing lifelong social, emotional, and learning skills. Help Me Grow Ventura County helps you provide the best start for your child!

As a no-cost service to families, Help Me Grow can:

• Answer questions about your child’s development and behavior.
• Offer free developmental screenings.
• Provide tips to support your child’s development.
• Connect you to local services, if your child needs extra support.

Call or text 805-244-6911 or complete the online enrollment form.

How you feed your newborn is the first nutrition decision you make for your child. While your newborn’s feeding pattern can be unpredictable, it’s an opportunity to begin forming a bond with the newest member of your family.  Below are resources if you need help feeding your child.

• View BabyCenter’s baby feeding guide
• Breastfeed/Chestfeeding: A variety of lactation-related concerns can happen during this period of life,  connect with a lactation consultant to support you and your baby. 
• Formula feeding: For resources on how to access formula, reach out to your local WIC. 

California has some of the strongest laws and regulations in the nation to support breastfeeding and lactating individuals. To view Breastfeeding Rights, click here.

• Ventura County Health Care Agency – Breastfeeding Resources
• Breastfeeding Coalition of Ventura County
• County of Ventura – Breastfeeding Support

Whether you are choosing to plan your next pregnancy or use a contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy, there are many options to consider when it comes to family planning postpartum.

Ultimately your decision for contraceptives will come down to safety, availability, affordability, and what works best for your body and should be discussed with your doctor. There are many birth control options for you to consider, explore them here.