Adequate prenatal care is important to the health of both mothers and their babies. It has a positive effect on birthweight, full-term delivery, and the overall health of babies at birth and beyond. “Regular prenatal care helps you and your health provider monitor how your pregnancy is going. It also helps spot any potential health problems before they become serious. Some pregnant women may experience complications like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia. But with regular prenatal care, you’ll be better able to manage any health issues that may come up.” (March of Dimes).

Although births to Hispanic women make up a relatively low percentage of the children born in Wethersfield each year, there is a high incidence of women not receiving adequate prenatal care in this group. For instance, in 2015, 24 of the 228 mothers giving birth in Wethersfield were Hispanic (10.5%). Within that group of 24 women, 1/3 (33.3%) did not receive adequate prenatal care, which is higher than the percentage of Hispanic women receiving non-adequate prenatal care in the state of CT (26.6%).  The trend over time shows the percentage of Hispanic mothers receiving non-adequate prenatal care in Wethersfield is generally higher than the percentage of Hispanic mothers receiving non-adequate care statewide:

This gap in the delivery of prenatal care to Wethersfield's Hispanic mothers when compared to Hispanic mothers statewide is a cause for concern for our community.

Historically, non-adequate prenatal care has not been an area of concern in Wethersfield. Neither the Central Connecticut Health District nor the Town of Wethersfield Department of Youth and Social Services offers programs focused on prenatal care and healthy birth outcomes. WECC research has highlighted the need for further investigation and action.

In order to have received Adequate Prenatal Care as defined by the Department of Public Health, one must start prenatal care in the first trimester and have nine prenatal care visits for a 36 week pregnancy (10 visits for a 37 week pregnancy, 11 visits for a 38 week pregnancy).  This measure is not and indicator of the quality of the care received.

Wethersfield has higher rates of Hispanic women receiving non-adequate prenatal care compared to the State and the Central Connecticut Health District (CCHD), the regional health district serving Wethersfield, Berlin, Newington, and Rocky Hill. The CCHD has identified the top five reason women in our region do not receive adequate prenatal care:

1. Lack of Insurance
2. Lack of Knowledge
3. Lack of Support
4. Mental Health/Substance Abuse
5. Lack of Transportation

When looking specifically at Wethersfield’s Hispanic population, language barriers may be an impediment to understanding the importance of prenatal care and how to access it. Further research is needed into what role economic considerations may play in higher rates of Hispanic women receiving non-adequate care.  Finally, more research is needed to understand the role of cultural barriers to accessing prenatal care.

Suggested interventions incorporated into strategies have been developed in accordance with research and best practices in the field. They include:

• Interviews with healthcare providers to collect data on why woman may not be getting adequate prenatal care
• Focus Groups with expectant mothers
• Prenatal Care Surveys conducted by the CCHD
• Resource Guide/Website that includes healthcare information for woman and children in Wethersfield
• Increased enrollment in insurance plans
• Study of role of transportation in increasing access to prenatal care

Strategy 1:Develop a better understanding of why some of Wethersfield’s Hispanic women are not receiving adequate prenatal care

Actions:

• Conduct interviews with additional healthcare providers serving Wethersfield women. Based on these results, investigate available data to further refine which factors contribute to non-adequate prenatal care.
• Conduct focus groups with expectant and/or new mothers to understand behaviors and barriers that may affect prenatal care.
• Incorporate prenatal care questions into the next BRFSS (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) community assessment conducted by the CCHD.

Strategy 2: Promote awareness and use of existing OB/GYN services in Wethersfield.

Actions:

• Partner with Wethersfield’s OB/GYN providers on a facilitated referral program.
• Create one centrally located place for families to obtain information about Wethersfield services, including healthcare for expectant women and their children.
• Increase awareness and use of healthcare coverage options for pregnant women in Wethersfield by collaborating with the CT Department of Social Services (DSS) to promote and increase enrollment in the HUSKY insurance program.
• Determine whether the lack of transportation is a barrier to women receiving adequate prenatal care.

WECC's Health Committee

The strategic focus of the Health Committee includes:

• Implementing the Health strategies outlined in Wethersfield's Community Plan for Young Children and Families.
• Focus on addressing non-adequate prenatal care, and engaging broader community in efforts to address lifestyle for our youngest children that result in healthy eating and adequate physical activity.
• Taking a lead in data collection and reporting for WECC.

For more information, contact wethersfieldchildhood@gmail.com

To view Community Plan visit: http://www.wethersfield.k12.ct.us/uploaded/documents/WECC-PLAN-FINAL-Oct2012.pdf

• State of Connecticut
• CT Department of Social Services (DSS
• Central Connecticut Health District (CCHD)
• Graustein Memorial Fund
• Town of Wethersfield
• Town of Wethersfield Department of Youth and Social Services
• Wethersfield's Medical Community