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Pregnancy

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Pregnancy
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Congratulations!

Whether you recently had a positive pregnancy test or are thinking about becoming pregnant, GHC-SCW is proud to be there for you on your journey.

What to do after a positive pregnancy test:

First, know you might be feeling a huge mix of emotions. This is normal. Whatever you feel, we want you to know your GHC-SCW care team is here to support you.

Then, make an appointment to see your Primary Care Provider. You can ask all your questions, and get set up with prenatal appointments. They’ll give you a folder with helpful information. It will include what medications you can take, how often you should see your provider and more.

We’ve put together useful information in a folder. You might have questions, and this packet has all the answers you need.

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Where to get your pregnancy care:

Every GHC-SCW primary clinic is a gateway to the best care in Dane County, including the UnityPoint Health – Meriter Birthing Center. The Birthing Center is the largest in Wisconsin. They have 13 private delivery suites and 24 private post-delivery rooms.

You can continue to see your GHC-SCW Primary Care Provider for your pregnancy, or you could select a Family Medicine with Obstetrics Provider.

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In the coming months:

Your scheduled appointments are important. Your care team staff are there to help support you every step of the way. 

If you’re having any problems getting to your appointments, please let your care team know so we can try and help.

Your body is changing; not just in the way it looks, but how you feel. Hormonal changes can sometimes make you more tearful or sad than usual. All people are different, so it’s important to tell your Primary Care Provider (PCP) how you’re feeling and if you have a history of depression.

Create a birth plan with your provider. You could include the answers to some of these questions:

  • How do you want to manage comfort during delivery?
  • Which provider do you want as your baby’s primary care provider?
  • Do you want your baby to be circumcised?
  • Who do you want in the room when you deliver your baby?
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Birth Classes

We encourage you to take childbirth classes.

  • UnityPoint Health – Meriter has ones to choose from for every step of your pregnancy journey. They include courses about your baby’s first weeks and the basics of breastfeeding to ensure you feel prepared for this next step of your life.
  • Access Community Health Centers also provides childbirth and breastfeeding classes.

If you have questions, please call (608) 443-5564.

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ConnectRx Wisconsin

GHC-SCW is proud to partner with local program partners to create ConnectRX Wisconsin. The program is for certain​ Black pregnant patients with social needs in Dane County. If you qualify, you will receive extra support during your pregnancy. This support will include access to community health workers to help you through every step of your pregnancy to improve you and your baby's outcomes.

ConnectRx Wisconsin provides support to certain Black pregnant patients within Dane County.

Through the program, patient’s secure electronic health records are connected to resources, facilitating referrals and follow-ups so that participants are given the best possible chance to increase their income and improve their health outcomes.

It’s a closed-loop referral system supported by Epic.

Have the opportunity to connect with a Black doula. Their role is to offer emotional and physical support during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.

Connect to an individual community health worker who will be available to you when you need it. Whether that be at home or at an appointment.

Be connected to United Way of Dane County’s 211 unique community resources to ensure you have everything you need for a positive birthing experience.

If you meet the below criteria, you may qualify for the ConnectRx Wisconsin program if:

  • You identify as African American/Black.
  • You have a positive pregnancy test.
  • You meet one or more of the five Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) listed below.
    • Housing
    • Financial Stability
    • Food Insecurity
    • Stress
    • Transportation

Once you’ve screened positive for one of the social determinants of health and met the other qualifying factors, GHC-SCW will connect you with a community health care worker.

The community health care worker may ask you a few more qualifying questions to ensure you’re a good fit for the program.

If the community health worker determines you to be a good fit for the ConnectRx program, they will connect you to social service resources.

We are proud to be partnering with other DCHC health system partners and community programs to help improve outcomes for Black pregnant patients and their babies. We’d like to thank all of the ConnectRx Wisconsin partners for all their hard work making this possible. You can also read the ConnectRx Wisconsin press release announcement.