Women who see a health care professional early and regularly during their pregnancy have healthier babies. They also are less likely to deliver their babies too early and are less likely to have other serious problems related to pregnancy.
Get care during your pregnancy to increase your chance of having a safe pregnancy and giving your baby a healthy start. Call a Fairfax County Health Department clinic to make an appointment and learn more about maternal and child health services for residents of Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church.
Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Caring for Newborns During COVID-19
Based on what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) knows at this time, pregnant people might be at an increased risk for severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant people. There may also be an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth, among pregnant people with COVID-19.
Current recommendations for pregnant people include:
- Take precautions to prevent getting COVID-19, including limiting interactions with people outside of your household as much as possible, washing hands often and wearing a mask.
- Seek care immediately if you have a medical emergency and do not skip prenatal care appointments.
- Get the recommended vaccines during pregnancy, including a flu shot and a whooping cough (Tdap) shot, to help protect you and your baby.
Maternal Health Services
- Pregnancy testing.
- Public Health Assessments for pregnant women.
- Prenatal care provided in partnership with Inova Cares Clinic for Women for pregnant residents who meet the required low income level and have no other way to get care. Complete the Maternity On-Line Medical Referral Services (MOMS) eligibility form to apply for prenatal care services. Fees for services are based on income.
- Immunizations.
- Home visiting.
- Tuberculosis testing.
- Nutrition services through the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.
- Dental care for pregnant women who receive prenatal care through the partnership with Inova Cares Clinic for Women.
- Family planning:
- Virginia’s free Plan First family planning program.
- Community Health Care Network (CHCN) family planning walk-in clinic.
Child Health Services
- Child safety seat classes and free seats for low-income families.
- Immunizations.
- See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended immunization schedules for infants and children in English and Spanish.
- Home visiting.
- Nutrition services through the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.
- Infant Development Program for children with possible developmental delays.
- Speech and hearing.
- Dental care.
Home Visiting Services for Women and Infants
Public health nurses provide home visiting services to women during and after pregnancy and to infants through the Healthy Families Fairfax program, the Nurse-Family Partnership program and the Health Department's Maternal and Child Health Field Program. Services include:
- Pregnancy support and education.
- After-pregnancy follow-up.
- Assessment and support for depression and intimate partner violence.
- Parenting skills and parent-child bonding support.
- Child development delay checks.
Call the Family Resources Referral Line at 703-246-8450 for more information about home visits.
You also can fill out and return the Family Resources Service community referral form to have a staff member contact you about home visiting services.
