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Natalie Canarte and her 4-week-old daughter, Scarlet, visit with Dr. Heather Sholtis for their postpartum appointment in the Healthy Beginnings unit at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital. |
Comprehensive clinical care combines with group learning sessions
For nearly a quarter-century, WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital has ensured that low-income women get the prenatal care they need.
The hospital participates in Healthy Beginnings Plus, a state-funded program for pregnant women who qualify for Medical Assistance.
According to government statistics, mothers who receive no prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth-weight baby, and their baby is five times more likely to die.
Yet poor moms often struggle with access. Nobody knows this better than Kathy Edwards, RNC, who in the 1980s was a maternity nurse at Ephrata Community Hospital.
"We had women who would suddenly show up at the hospital in full-blown labor," remembered Edwards. "They were sick, and their babies were sick."
She helped bring Healthy Beginnings Plus to Ephrata in 1991, and has remained ever since as its program coordinator.
"A lot of our moms are high-risk because of their environment and their chronic illnesses," Edwards said. "It makes the pregnancy that much more difficult."
Since the national average for a NICU stay exceeds $45,000, the program makes tremendous financial sense.
"It’s a matter of investing some time and money on the front end, and then saving a lot down the road," she said.
Healthy Beginnings Plus blends comprehensive clinical care with group learning sessions. The team includes obstetricians, nurses and midwives, as well as a social worker, dietitian and dental hygienist.
Edwards said that clinical exams and education classes usually occur together, in order to minimize patients’ transportation problems.
The social worker and a nurse also visit the patient’s home, to discuss any issues that might need to be addressed before the baby arrives.
Care continues post-delivery, including a follow-up visit two days after mother and newborn go home.
"We’re trying to catch any problems early," Edwards said.
"Maybe a baby is jaundiced or having trouble breastfeeding. Maybe there are some bonding issues we need to address."
The program averages about 100 deliveries a year, but that number can spike during tough economic times.
"We had an onslaught in 2008 and 2009 when people were losing their jobs and benefits," said Edwards.
"The program receives ongoing support from both hospital employees and area residents, who routinely donate baby supplies and handmade items. This phenomenal support continues to help us take great care of our patients."