The focus of the Maternal Health Program is to promote early and adequate prenatal care for the best possible pregnancy outcome to all pregnant women. We strive to reduce infant mortality and morbidity by improving the health status of women before pregnancy and also to enhance access to prenatal care. Early detection of high-risk pregnancies with prompt intervention and monitoring improves pregnancy outcomes. One of our main goals is to reduce prematurity through education and monitoring of at-risk clients.

Regular Maternity Clinic:
Prenatal services are held weekly and are provided through a multi-disciplinary team approach. Staffing consists of a nurse supervisor, nurse practitioners, clinic coordinator, nutritionist, public health nurses, maternity care coordinators, laboratory technicians, and management support staff.

Health education and counseling to prenatal patients is individualized. Patients are encouraged to participate in childbirth, parenting, and breastfeeding classes, which are held monthly.

All pregnant women are assisted in enrolling into prenatal care at the time they receive a positive pregnancy test at the health department or if they come with other documentation of pregnancy. Patients are admitted to Maternal Health services regardless of their inability to pay for care. Patients requesting prenatal care must reside in North Carolina, but there are no county residence requirements.

The Maternal Health Clinics and obstetricians follow the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology guidelines and the State Maternal Health Contract agreement as the standard for prenatal care. Patients are referred to Scotland Memorial Hospital for delivery and emergency care. Outpatient consultation is available by phone or the patient may be seen in the obstetrician’s office or labor and delivery at the local hospital. Lab work is collected on site.

Patients receive a postpartum/newborn home visit assessment by a public health nurse. These nurses provide education and supported care on breastfeeding, newborn care, postpartum care and follow-up appointments for mother and baby. Postpartum examinations are done at the health department between 6-8 weeks postpartum.

Baby Bucks Program:
The Maternal Health team has initiated a new program designed to help pregnant women and mothers become more knowledgeable about self-care and infant care. The program is called “BABY BUCKS” and is an educational program run by the Maternal Health team. As the mother goes through her pregnancy, she earns “BABY BUCKS” by meeting various goals and parameters she and the Maternal Health team have defined as important to her giving birth to a health baby. The “BABY BUCKS” can be cashed in at the monthly “store” held at the Scotland County Health Department.

Click here for more information or questions about our Maternal Health Services.

Important Numbers:

Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Center of Scotland County                 1-910-276-6268

Southeastern Family Violence Center                                                       1-800-742-7794

Southeastern Regional Mental Health                                                      1-800-670-6871

National Hopeline Network                                                                       1-800-SUICIDE

Quit Smoking Help Line                                                                             1-866-942-7762

Safe Place for Newborns                                                                           1-877-440-2229