Local Assistance

During your pregnancy, you may experience times when you could benefit from the help of others.  This help might be in the form of emotional support, financial counseling or daily physical care.  A Visiting Nurse Association and/or a Public Health Department in your local community or county can help you find the assistance you are needing at these times.

Services that might be provided include:

• Registered Nurses:  Educational support and nursing care provided to pregnant women by the nursing staff of the agency.
• Nutrition Counseling: Consultation services with a nutritionist.
• Dental Hygiene: Dental care for the pregnant woman and her family members.
• WIC:  A supplemental food program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).  Nutritious foods such as milk, eggs, cereal, juice and infant formula are provided at no cost.  For eligibility guidelines, call
• (1-800-532-1579).
• A WIC office is located at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  Your nurse can help you set up an appointment with the WIC staff.

• Medical Social Workers:  Provide social, emotional, and financial support.
• Home Health Care Aides:  Provide assistance with physical care.
• Parenting Education:  Information about child care and infant growth and development.
• Immunization:  Routine childhood vaccines available for minimal or no charge.
• Well-Child Examinations:  Physical examinations provided for routine infant and child checkups.
• Loaner Programs:  Infant and toddler car seats loaned to families.
• NEST or STORK Programs:  The NEST seeks to promote healthy births and families in the community by encouraging medical care and educational opportunities for pregnant women and new mothers.  This is accomplished by providing:
  • Incentives such as clothing and nursery items.
  • An opportunity to participate in educational programs that focus on health, nutrition, and parenting.
  • Through the NEST program, you will have the opportunity to earn points that can be used to “purchase” items for you and your baby.
  • You can earn points by taking care of yourself and your baby through pre- and postnatal care, attending educational classes, and using community resources.
  • Health Promotion Services:  Physical assessment and screening provided at no charge to you and your family.
  There may be a fee for some of the services. Fees are often based on what it costs to provide the services. Charges for services are usually paid for by Medicare or other insurance policies. Please check with your insurance company to determine coverage. Some agencies may be supported by community service dollars, donations, or tax dollars that allow them to provide services at little or no cost. We encourage you to call your local visiting nurse association or public health department for assistance or with questions you might have regarding your health care needs.

  We have telephone numbers for a variety of agencies within all counties in the state of Iowa. Please ask your nurse for help in getting information about agencies that might be most helpful to you. Contact these agencies for specific questions you have regarding the type of assistance they may provide.

  Call your local visiting nurse or public health department at:
  Local Community Agency Phone Number
  Number: _______________________
  Address: _______________________

  Peer Review Status: Internally
  Peer Review Date: 2004