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Maternity Support Services are multidisciplinary preventive health services funded for pregnant and postpartum Medicaid recipients. The goal of this service is to improve pregnancy and parenting outcomes for these women. In addition to direct services authorized as listed below, referrals to community services, and regular contact with the prenatal care provider are integral to the program.
The direct services of assessment, counseling, and education will be provided during home or office visits, as well as in existing prenatal class settings. The services are:
- Nursing Assessment/Counseling
- Nutrition Assessment/Counseling
- Psychosocial Assessment/Counseling
- Childbirth/Parenting Education
Nursing Assessment/Counseling
Nursing Assessment is a review of the recipient's medical risks, health behaviors, understanding of pregnancy, and parenting skills to identify factors that may adversely affect the woman's and her newborn's health status. Critical teaching and intervention take place, during the nursing assessment/counseling visits, providing essential information to the client such as warning signs of problems in pregnancy and appropriate health behaviors.
Appropriate interventions and education will be based upon nurse and client identified needs according to a multidisciplinary care plan.
A minimum of one prenatal and one postpartum nursing visit will be provided for all maternity recipients. A community/public health nurse conducts the nursing assessment.
Nutrition Assessment/Counseling
Nutrition assessment is a review of the pregnant woman's dietary patterns and intake, her resources for obtaining and preparing food, and evaluation of her nutritional needs. During the nutrition assessment/counseling visits, critical teaching and intervention take place to address immediate concerns such as severe nausea and vomiting, weight loss, or other pregnancy induced nutritional concerns.
Follow up visits and reassessment will take place during the course of the pregnancy and will not duplicate other nutritional resources, i.e. WIC.
Psychosocial Assessment/Counseling
Psychosocial assessment is an evaluation of the pregnant woman and her environment to identify factors that may adversely affect the woman's health status and her parenting capabilities. During the psychosocial assessment/counseling visits, critical counseling and intervention take place to address immediate concerns such as family violence, sudden homelessness, other family crises, as well as intermediate and long term issues such as educational/occupational goals, child care, and parenting. Intervention and counseling will be based on a multidisciplinary care plan.
The psychosocial assessment/counseling is conducted by a registered social worker.
Childbirth/Parenting Education
Based on the multidisciplinary care plan, those clients identified as needing childbirth/parenting education will be referred to childbirth education providers. This is a series of lessons that can be provided either in a group or individual sessions according to the needs of the recipient. The sessions are intended to help the recipient understand the changes her body is experiencing, what to expect at the time of delivery to participate effectively in the birth process, and to develop positive parenting skills. The childbirth education classes/cirriculum must meet approved content.
Referrals, Linkages, and Interdisciplinary Team Approach
Multidisciplinary aspects of the program include the team approach of client, nurse, nutritionist, and social worker in developing an appropriate care plan. After initial assessment, if the client is also receiving medically funded case management, the case manager will participate to provide continuity for client care. Periodically, during the course of the pregnancy, client status will be reviewed against the plan, with modification if needed. Referral to other community resources will be accomplished when appropriate.
The prenatal care provider will also be contacted regularly during service so that team assessment and goals can be shared. The case manager may accomplish this contact if the client is receiving that service. |
