Resources to Help Birth Mothers in WV

On this page we have pulled together information for WV birth mothers on where to look for financial assistance, free or low-cost medical care and nutritional and health programs, support groups, government programs, and other West Virginia information to help you and your child.

Financial, Medical and Health Care Assistance

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agency designed to protect the health and safety of all Americans and to provide essential health care information. It is an excellent website covering a wide variety of heath and disease issues and is valuable whether you live in West Virginia or any other state or country.

Council for Developmental Disabilities in West Virginia has several programs to help parents and children who have disabilities.

Drug Prescription Assistance Programs provide free or low-cost medications to low-income individuals and families.

Free Medical/Dental Clinics in West Virginia provides you with information about free clinics. 

Government Benefit Programs is an excellent website for finding government programs to help you and your child. Simply go to the site, fill out the questionnaire and the site will list all the national government programs for which you qualify. Additionally, information on financial aid and other U.S. government benefits are listed by agency and subject matter on the U.S. Government benefit website.

MedlinePlus, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, has baby care and health related information from a variety of sources. It has extensive information from trusted sources on over 700 diseases and conditions. There are also lists of hospitals and physicians, a medical encyclopedia and a medical dictionary, extensive information on prescription and nonprescription drugs, and health information from the media.

Medicaid Program in West Virginia can help you If you are not able to afford to pay for medical care.

National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provides free or low-cost mammograms and pap tests for women who cannot afford breast exams or Pap smears.

National Organization for Rare Disorders patient assistance program offers free medication to people who otherwise cannot afford their medications. Patients must meet financial and other program specific criteria to be eligible for assistance.

Prescription Drug Assistance. Some states provide prescription drug assistance to women who are not covered by Medicaid. Additionally, many drug companies will work with your doctor or health care provider to supply free medicines to those in need.

Reduced Cost Health Care at Hospitals: Hill-Burton facilities are hospitals and nursing homes that have received money from the federal government and now must provide a certain amount of free or reduced-cost health services every year to those who cannot pay. You may apply for Hill-Burton assistance at any time before or after you receive care by simply asking for Hill-Burton assistance. To obtain a list of Hill-Burton facilities in your area or for more information on the Hill-Burton program and how to get free or reduced-cost health care go to www.hrsa.gov.

Special Electricity and Heat Help in West Virginia: Many states have laws or programs that can keep your heat and electricity from being turned off if a member of your family would be endangered if the temperature is not controlled.  We suggest you check the link and call the West Virginia Department of Consumer Affairs/Services for more information.  You can also contact one of the members of the West Virginia Emergency Management Agency.

West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources can help you with issues of pregnancy, parenting, foster care, and adoption.

West Virginia Nutrition and Free Food Programs

Child Nutrition Programs in West Virginia: U.S. government information on health and state agencies administering child nutrition programs.  In West Virginia the contact for this program is:
West Virginia NSLP, CACFP, SFSP
State Director
Office of Child Nutrition
Department of Education
Building 6, Room 248
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Charleston, West Virginia 25305-0330
Phone: 304-558-2709

Food Banks in West Virginia serve hundreds of churches and other nonprofit agencies in distributing free food to those in need. Additionally, the phone book is a good place to find local churches, synagogues, and food kitchens that may be able to help you with food and clothing needs. We have listed a few West Virginia food bank websites to help you get started, but there are more if you take the time to search for them.

Food Stamps Program in West Virginia: The US Department of Agriculture's Food Stamp Program helps low-income people and families buy the food they need for good health. You apply for benefits by completing a State application form. 

Nutrition Assistance Programs in West Virginia: The US Food and Nutrition Service provides children and low-income people access to free food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education.  Programs include the Child and Adult Care Food Program. and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. To find out more about these programs in West Virginia, contact the West Virginia Department of Education, or the West Virginia Department of Health. Note: If these state agency links have changed, you can find the numbers in your Blue pages of the telephone directory or by calling you local operator.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in West Virginia: The West Virginia Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children provides free food, nutrition counseling, and referrals to health and other social services to participants at no charge. WIC serves low-Income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, and infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk. Click on the following link for the WIC program in a state other than West Virginia.

World Hunger Year provides a list of resources for food that can make your search for food assistance easier.  Additionally, the Feeding America's website can help you find a food bank or food-rescue organization that serves your local community.

Pregnancy

Being pregnant can be exciting or anxiety producing depending on what your plans are and your situation in life.  Our goal is to help take away some of your worries so you can focus on the proper care of both you and your baby. 

Step 1:  Determine if you are pregnant. 

Step 2: Learn and understand pregnancy symptoms, the stages of pregnancy, and what to expect. 

Step 3: Learn about financial help and medical help available for pregnant women as well as information to help you with nutritional and emotional issues. One of the most important things you can do for the health of both you and your baby is to have prenatal care and testing.

Delivery and Labor

For many women giving birth to a child can be scary. One of the best ways to conquer your fear is to understand as much as possible about pregnancy, the labor and delivery process, about hospital or birth center births, and about birth plans. 

We suggest that you also visit PregnancyAndChildren.com for information to help you understand all about pregnancy, the when, why and how of  induced labor, of having a natural birth, having a cesarean birth and of having an episiotomy.  And of course it is always helpful to understand in advance how to deal with the pain of delivery, what an APGAR score is, issues surrounding bonding, and whether breast feeding or formula feeding is best for you and your baby.