Planning News Team Univ. The Ohio Department of Health authorized the Child and Family Health Services Grant to be used for Athens County's pregnant women and well-child needs. The grant came after a community health assessment determined that area women need help in five aspects of prenatal care, said CSP's Mary McPherson, nurse coordinator, cancer programs.
Prenatal care begins from the onset of pregnancy.
The grant helps underinsured and uninsured women and women who have risk factors for complications in their pregnancies. CSP nurses are linked with area prenatal patients through referrals from local obstetricians. So far, more than 40 area patients have been counseled on prenatal topics to assist them in delivering a healthy baby. In addition, if agreeable, home visits to mothers in the program can be made within the first two weeks of their babies' birth. Prenatal education can help women curb or eliminate behavior that increases the possibility of infant mortality or the likelihood of unhealthy children.