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Prenatal Care

Family Wellness

Prenatal Care

Welcome to pregnancy! Learn what you can do to safeguard the health of your baby, prepare for labor, and make sure you’re ready for what comes next.

Healthy Pregnancy

As soon as you think you may be pregnant, see a doctor or nurse-midwife for prenatal care. If you know you are pregnant, get care right away and have regular visits throughout your pregnancy.

Before You Are Pregnant

Thinking about getting pregnant? Read these frequently asked questions about preparing for a healthy pregnancy.

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How a Fetus Grows

Understand the stages of a baby’s development and how your body changes during each one.

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Understand Your Choices

Understand Your Choices

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Healthy Pregnancy Tips

Learn what’s happening to your body, prepare for labor, and get tips for staying healthy once your baby is born.

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Why 39+ Weeks Is Best

If your pregnancy is healthy, it’s best to stay pregnant for at least 39 weeks and wait for labor to begin on its own.

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Healthy Birth 101

Chicago Public Libraries (CPL) provides free classes, learning events, reading lists, and other resources for children.

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For Teen Parents

If you are teen parent, it is likely that you have needs and worries that may not apply to new parents who are older. Teen parents are more likely to depend on their family for financial support or for help with the baby as they go back to high school.

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Partnering With Your Doctor

Establishing an open, trusting relationship with your prenatal healthcare team is one of the first and most important steps in a healthy pregnancy. Here’s what to consider when you’re getting started.

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icon - Preparing for Delivery Preparing for Delivery

Planning for a healthy birth means understanding the types of care you and your baby may need. Some babies may need extra care from a special medical team.

Levels of Care

All newborns need care. However, when problems arise, hospitals provide levels of extra care depending on the baby’s needs.

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Illinois Levels of Care

Different hospitals have different capabilities for handling deliveries. Make sure you’re ready to deliver at a hospital that’s right for you.

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C-section Resources

While most babies are born through vaginal birth, a C-section may be required if there are problems.

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Assistance for Expecting Families

CDPH advocates for the health of all Chicagoans and works in partnership with local agencies to provide access to health resources and services.

Family Connects

This program provides in-home nurse service for Chicago families with newborns at no additional cost.

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WIC (Women, Infants & Children)

This federally funded program provides pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum women, children and infants with nutrition assistance.

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Improving Care for Moms & Babies

The Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ILPQC) works to improve the health of pregnant women, mothers, and infants through perinatal quality improvement initiatives in birthing hospitals across Illinois. Get involved and make sure your hospital is part of this collaborative.

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EverThrive Illinois

Formerly the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition, EverThrive works to improve the health of women, children, and families through community engagement, partnerships, policy analysis, education, and advocacy.

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icon - Common Problems Common Problems

The best way to prevent the most common issues in pregnancy is to get prenatal care early and continue having regular checkups with your doctor.

Low Birthweight

All newborns need care. However, when problems arise, hospitals provide levels of extra care depending on the baby’s needs.

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Preterm Birth

When a baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation instead of the usual 39-40 weeks, it is considered to be preterm.

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icon - Preventing Teen Pregnancy Preventing Teen Pregnancy

Early parenthood can seriously impact a young person’s future and their child’s health. Most teen pregnancies are unplanned. Everyone should have access to knowledge and care they need to make informed decisions about when, how, and if they become a parent.

ConnecTeen at Lurie
ConnecTeen is designed to serve and support pregnant and parenting youth who attend Chicago Public Schools (CPS) or live in the City of Chicago.

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CPS Pregnant and Parenting Students
CPS information for pregnant and parenting students

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Power to Decide
The campaign to prevent unplanned pregnancy

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FIND A RESOURCE

Use our resource finder to locate your nearest clinic providing vaccinations or find a pediatrician in your neighborhood.