If you are pregnant with no money, you don’t have to sacrifice your baby’s well being or jeopardize your own health and safety. You can have an affordable, safe pregnancy by asking for help and making use of payment plans, community resources, friends, and family, In fact you have a responsibility to both yourself and your baby to do the best you can and ask for help until you get it.
Here are some tips for having a healthy pregnancy on a budget:
1Apply for Medicaid and See a Doctor as Early as Possible
2Apply for WIC
The Women Infants and Children Program (WIC) is a government program that is set up state by state to help make sure pregnant women, their newborn babies, and their children get the proper nutrition and adequate food. To find the WIC program in your area, look in the phone book under state governmental offices. Don’t make the mistake of putting off asking for help or neglecting your own nutritional needs. States and cities are aware of the damage done by poor prenatal nutrition, and food and help are available if you seek them out.
3Talk to Your Obstetrician About Payment Plans
If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, explain your financial situation to your obstetrician and see if you can make payment arrangements over time. Often insurance does not cover all of a pregnancy and delivery, so it is not unlikely that your doctor is already used to setting up payment plans. Many obstetricians have a business office whose sole job it is to set up a way for you to pay for your baby’s delivery and your prenatal care.
4Call Planned Parenthood
Most people associate Planned Parenthood with affordable birth control, but Planned Parenthood can also counsel you through a difficult pregnancy, provide prenatal care, offer childbirth classes, and hook you up to help charitable organizations in your specific locale. If you are not sure whether or not you are ready to keep your baby, Planned Parenthood can also help you find adoptive parents and can hook you up with financial help and other kinds of assistance. You can find a Planned Parenthood clinic near you here or by calling 1-800-230-PLAN.
5Tell People
you may be ashamed or upset that you are pregnant and poor, or maybe the circumstances surrounding your pregnancy have been difficult and emotional.
People can’t help you if they don’t know you need help. Talk to your family, your church, and your friends. Make a list of items you need and let these people see your list. You’ll be amazed at how many people who know you or who have never even met you are willing and anxious to give you maternity clothes, baby clothes, and baby furniture they no longer need. Open the phone book to social services and start dialing.
6Check With Human Resources Where You Work
Every employer has policies in place regarding pregnancy leave and resources available to pregnant workers. Many corporations have referral hotlines for employees with problems. If your employer has one of these hot lines, call it and ask for the help you need. These services are designed to hook you up with the best resources for your specific needs and situation. If you don’t have such a referral service available to you through your job, try dialing your local emergency hotline number and explain your situation. Most cities have referral services set up that connect people in need with people who can help.
7Talk to La Leche League
La Leche League International is a worldwide support network made up of nursing mothers who help each other with issues of nutrition, child rearing and breastfeeding. Not only is breastfeeding a HUGE money saver over formula, it’s better for your baby and La Leche League mothers are a ready source of support. LLL holds regular meetings in mother’s homes, stages educational events and conferences, and offers 24-hour phone support to new mothers, all free of charge. Visit the La Leche League website to find a group in your area or call 1-877-4-LALECHE.
-Conclusion
Being pregnant doesn’t have to be a hardship. Pregnancy is a joyful time, and it can be a good time even when money is scarce. Most women remember every pregnancy like it was yesterday and are anxious and willing to help others in need. You only get one chance to have a healthy baby, so make the most of it. Don’t let embarrassment or fear stop you from reaching out. Sound nutrition, good prenatal care, and a solid network of caring supportive people is something that you need, not something optional or something for those who can afford it.
Most communities have social service agencies set up to help with difficult pregnancies, and most people really do want to help women in need when they are expecting a child. Make use of every resource you can, get lots of support in place, and try not to worry. Before you know it, your baby will be here and you will have a whole new set of challenges and rewards ahead of you both.
