The unique feature of the Women's Healthline is that women who want prenatal care can call and obtain specific appointments. The Women's Healthline was established by the New York City Department of Health as part of a Mayoral initiative to reduce infant mortality and to promote access to care in the city. Towards this end, the Women's Healthline informs women of their options and enables them to gain access to appropriate care. In addition, the Women's Healthline is accessible to the hearing-impaired. Over 160 agencies are included in the Women's Healthline resource manual for services such as family planning, pregnancy testing, prenatal care, childbirth preparation, delivery, post partum care, breast-feeding, treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, counseling, abortion, and consumer information.
All calls are confidential.
The Women's Healthline also makes appointments for prenatal care. When a woman calls requesting prenatal care services, an appointment is made for her based on her residence, her financial situation, her age, the immediacy of her needs, or her own self determination. After the appointment is arranged, if the woman desires a written confirmation of the date, time, and place, it is mailed to her, along with further information that may assist her in getting to the appointment. Over 60 prenatal care clinics throughout the city are registered with the Women's Healthline appointment system. Once each week Women's Healthline staff members call facilities to learn whether or not women have kept their appointments.