Pregnancy help at your fingertips

Thanks to a new VCH phone service, pregnant women will now have access to a public health nurse right at their fingertips.

The confidential toll-free number (1-855-550-2229) provides women looking for support during their pregnancy an easy way to connect with a public health nurse in their community who will offer services based on their needs. VCH has been working to enhance its prenatal public health services, so that women, particularly young women or women with less resources, can have a healthy and safe pregnancy.

Joanne Wooldridge, regional leader of early child development at VCH says the service will help answer the many questions new mothers always have.

“I think that a wide variety of women will benefit,” she says. “Some will just want to know where to get a Babies Best Chance handbook or where to find a prenatal class. Others may have concerns about nutrition or their ability to buy healthy food. Others may have prenatal depression or anxiety, and be concerned that they are not enjoying their pregnancy like they thought they would.”

The accessible service will enhance VCH’s public health services, helping moms and babies live healthier lives.

“Some pregnant women don’t have the knowledge or experience in dealing with the health care system,” says Jen Leigh, a nurse coordinator at VCH. “By making the call to the prenatal line, they will receive assistance to make the first step towards a healthy pregnancy and subsequently a healthy baby. By connecting with VCH public health their needs will be assessed and they will receive assistance in getting the services they want and need.”

Joanne says the phone is a great service to have during such a busy time.

“By connecting with women before the baby arrives, we have a chance to improve their readiness to welcome a new baby to the family,” she says. “It’s really busy once a baby arrives…and it’s often easier to figure out their concerns during pregnancy.”

To read more about the program, go to the VCH website.