Three instructors teach a series of classes giving women practical information. Classes are provided at no charge and are given at locations convenient to the clientele, for whom transportation often poses a significant barrier to such services. Many of the women and young mothers are of low family income, often coupled with a lack of education, are at high risk of prenatal health problems and future health problems for their children. Each adolescent in the program is assigned to a nurse who cares for her during pregnancy through the first postpartum year. Themes for classes include transition to motherhood, interventions in health, sexualityand family planning, life skills, maternal role and social Programs 6 support systems.
Prenatal visits focus on things such as self-care and signs and symptoms of pregnancy complications.
Postpartum visits focuses on infant care, well-baby health services and family planning. Another pulbic health program and sponsored by pubic health department is a federal program that provides food and nutrition to pregnant women, breast feeding women, postpartum women, infants and children under the age of five. Women in the WIC program eat better, have healthier babies, and receive early prenatal care. Infants born to WIC mothers weigh more, grow and develop faster. If these programs continue to succeed we will begin to see a decrease in infant mortality.