Trimester: Second Trimester

Learn more about having a healthy pregnancy from 14 to 27 weeks.

Prenatal Legal Checkup & Videos

The People’s Community Clinic Medical-Legal Partnership created a legal checkup to help pregnant people in Texas. Watch the videos to help understand common legal needs while pregnant.

What is a legal checkup?

A legal checkup is a tool that can be used by people during all stages of life to figure out:

  • What legal needs they may have
  • What legal issues they can prevent

What is a prenatal legal checkup?

The Medical-Legal Partnership’s prenatal legal checkup is designed to start conversations about health-harming legal needs during pregnancy. Each video covers a different issue, including health insurance, food security, domestic violence, employment, housing, healthcare decisions, parental rights, and breastfeeding. The goal is to help expecting parents to take their health into their own hands.

Why is a prenatal legal checkup important?

  • Every year, 1.7 million people in the U.S. get sick or die simply from getting pregnant.
  • Many illnesses and deaths are due to where we live, grow, work, play, worship, and age. These are called “social determinants of health,” and they matter a lot in staying healthy.
  • Social determinants of health are shaped by legal requirements and restrictions. Having a lawyer can help you know your rights and live a healthier a life.

What if I think I may need legal help after watching the prenatal legal checkup videos?

Find help at TexasLawHelp’s legal help directory.

A note for providers about our prenatal legal checkup video series:

When we added a popular model of group prenatal care, we realized a lot of questions were asked that our traditional healthcare team did not have the structural expertise to fully answer. So we added a medical-legal partnership (MLP) lawyer to our facilitating care team. Like our other MLP attorneys, the prenatal care lawyer is embedded onsite to help address health-harming legal needs. Our MLP model also includes integrating the legal team’s structural expertise into every part of the delivery of healthcare, and so the prenatal care lawyer helped our clinicians and educators plan a curriculum for whole-person care throughout pregnancy. Our MLP lawyers also attend group medical visits, giving patients real-time access to integrated legal expertise. Patients reported reduced stress and increased legal literacy, and our providers reported improved self-efficacy in providing whole-person care. To help assure sustainability, we turned our live sessions into this video series, and we created this website to share our work with you.

Health Insurance

Watch this video to learn more about how to cover the cost of prenatal healthcare. Related topics include:

Public benefits and food security

Watch this video to learn more about what benefits may be available to help your family get nutritious food. Such benefits may include:

Employment

  • Watch this video to learn more about what rights pregnant persons have in the workplace. Learn more at Pregnancy and the workplace.

Domestic violence

Watch this video about Protective Orders to learn more about how to stay safe from domestic violence.

Housing

Watch this video to learn more about housing rights. Related material on TexasLawHelp.org includes:

Medical decision-making

  • Watch this video about medical Decision-making to learn more about how you can control or share your right to make medical decisions during pregnancy, especially if you face a serious pregnancy complication.

Parental Rights: Part One

Watch this video to learn more about parental rights, such as visitation and who gets to make decisions about the child. Topics include:

Parental Rights: Part Two

Watch this video to learn more about parental rights, such as safe visits when one parent has been abusive or is a danger to the child.

Breastfeeding

Early childhood issues

Watch this video to learn about government benefits that can help you get your child extra help in the community and at school, such as SSI. Related topics include:

Power Your Family Plan With Birth Spacing

Am I ready for another baby?

While you’re thinking of everyone else in your family, don’t forget to ask yourself the most important question of all: Am I ready for another baby?

What is best for me?

  • Do I already feel overwhelmed at the
    end of the day?
  • Can I give a new baby the attention
    they deserve?
  • Have I taken the time to grieve?
    (For those who recently had a miscarriage)
  • Have I checked with my doctor to see if my body is ready for another pregnancy?

Why Wait?

  • Improve your health and your baby’s health
  • Give yourself time to heal and get back to normal
  • Give special attention to each child
  • Have time to lose your pregnancy weight

Would your body be ready?

Or do you feel like you are running on empty?
If you’re running on empty, you need to fill up so you can stay healthy for your new family. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can drain your body of nutrients, particularly folate. If you become pregnant again before replacing those nutrients, it could affect your health or your baby’s health.

HOW SOON IS TOO SOON?

Planning to wait 18 –24 months after giving birth before trying to get pregnant again is healthier for mothers and babies. Moms age 35 and older can try again in 12 months because of infertility concerns.

PDF

Just had a Baby and Feeling Blue?

“I just had a baby, and being a mother is not what I expected.”
“I feel so scared and so sad.”
“Shouldn’t I feel happy?”
“I just don’t feel like myself.”

You may have the Baby Blues or Post-partum Depression (depression after the baby is born).

Is it The Baby Blues?

Very Common. May go away on its own, but talking to a health care provider can help.

Some signs are:

  • Crying
  • Not being able to sleep
  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Not wanting to eat
  • Having a short temper or mood swings
Is it Postpartum Depression?

Common. Goes away with help from your health care provider. You can get this anytime during the first year.

Some signs are:

  • Sadness
  • Not wanting to hold or touch your baby
  • Changes in eating
  • Not wanting to talk to family or friends
  • Thoughts about hurting yourself or your baby
Is it Postpartum Anxiety?

Worry that takes over your life. Get help from your health care provider as soon as possible.

Some signs are:

  • Uncontrolled worry
  • Not being able to sleep when the baby does
  • Feeling afraid that something will hurt the baby
  • Feeling afraid that you might hurt the baby
  • Feeling afraid to be alone with the baby
  • Having very scary thoughts
  • Chest pains
  • Feeling dizzy
  • Sweating or shaking
Is it Postpartum Psychosis?

Not common. Emergency–get help right away!

Some signs are:

  • Hallucinations
  • Feeling very confused
  • Speech that does not make sense
  • Severe insomnia
  • Having thoughts about hurting yourself or your baby right now

You are not alone! There is help available for you and your baby.

Call for Help:

Find Help Online:

Stay Strong with Iron

Iron

  • Is a mineral needed to keep your body and blood healthy.
  • Helps give you energy.
  • Helps with growth and brain development.
  • Helps prevent sickness and infections.

Why is iron important?

Eating enough iron will keep you and your family healthy and feeling good. When there is not enough iron in the blood you can get anemia. Anemia can make you feel tired, weak, get headaches, look pale, and get sick more often. Children who have low iron may also have trouble learning in school.

Iron is important for the healthy growth of infants, children, and for women during pregnancy.

What foods have iron?

There are lots of foods that are high in iron, and many WIC foods are good sources of iron. The list below shows foods that have iron.

What foods with iron will you eat more of?

  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Turkey
  • Fish
  • Pork
  • Tofu
  • Turnip and collard greens
  • Beans, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans
  • Nuts, nut butters, and seeds
  • Cereal and oatmeal with iron
  • Rice, bread, and pasta with iron

  • Tips for getting enough iron:

    • Eat different kinds of high iron foods each day. WIC cereal, beans, and peanut butter are good sources of iron.
    • Avoid tea or coffee with meals, even if they are caffeine-free. These drinks make it harder for your body to use iron.
    • If you are pregnant, be sure to take your prenatal vitamins. Take iron pills only if your doctor gives them to you or your child.
    • Eat vitamin C foods with iron foods. Vitamin C foods help your body use iron. There are lots of fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C; see the list below for good sources.

  • What foods with vitamin C will you try?

    • Oranges
    • Strawberries
    • Grapefruit
    • Cantaloupe
    • Kiwi fruit
    • WIC juices
    • Tomatoes
    • Bell peppers
    • Sweet potatoes
    • Broccoli
    • Cabbage
    • Kale

Sample Menu High in Iron

Breakfast

  • WIC cereal with milk
  • Orange juice or fresh orange

Lunch

  • Tuna or chicken salad sandwich on wheat bread*
  • Baby carrots
  • Strawberries or kiwi fruit
  • 1 cup low-fat or fat-free milk

Dinner

  • Chili*
  • Small green salad with low-fat dressing
  • Mixed fruit

Snacks

  • Peanut Butter with crackers
  • Broccoli with low-fat ranch dip

Visit TexasWIC.org for these recipes and more.

Signs and Symptoms of Preterm Labor

Even if you do everything right, you can still have preterm labor. Preterm labor is labor that happens too early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are called premature. Premature babies can have serious health problems at birth and later in life. Learning the signs of preterm labor may help keep your baby from being born too early.

When you see your provider, she may check your cervix to see if you’re in labor. The cervix is the opening to the uterus (womb) that sits at the top of the vagina (birth canal). If you’re in labor, your provider may give you treatment to help stop labor or to improve your baby’s health before birth.

If you have preterm labor, getting help is the best thing you can do.

What are the signs and symptoms of preterm labor?

  • Change in your vaginal discharge (watery, mucus or bloody) or more vaginal discharge than usual
  • Pressure in your pelvis or lower belly, like your baby is pushing down
  • Constant low, dull backache
  • Belly cramps with or without diarrhea
  • Regular or frequent contractions that make your belly tighten like a fist. The contractions may or may not be painful.
  • Your water breaks

If you have even one sign or symptom of preterm labor, call your health care provider right away.

Watch a video about preterm labor at: https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/preterm-labor-and-premature-baby.aspx#

Guide to Helpful Programs & Services

  • Medicaid

    Medicaid offers health care coverage for children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, people 65 and older, and some adults caring for children. It helps with bills for doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, and drugs ordered by a doctor (prescriptions). Children who get Medicaid will also be in the Texas Health Steps program.

  • Texas Health Steps

    Texas Health Steps is a health-care program for children, teens, and young adults ages 20 and younger who have Medicaid. It offers medical and dental checkups and many other health-care services.

Medicaid Monthly Income Eligibility

Call 2-1-1 or go to www.211texas.org for information about:

  • Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

    CHIP is for children ages 18 and younger. It is an Insurance program for families who earn too much money to get Medicaid, but cannot pay for private insurance.

  • CHIP Perinatal Coverage

    The CHIP perinatal coverage offers prenatal care to pregnant women who cannot get Medicaid and do not have other health coverage. Benefits may include up to 20 prenatal visits; drugs ordered by a doctor; costs of giving birth; 2 doctor visits for the mom after the baby is born; and regular checkups, vaccines and drugs ordered by a doctor for the baby.

  • Newborn Screening

    All babies born in Texas must be screened for 29 medical disorders. Two tests are done using drops of blood from the baby’s heel. Tests are done 1 to 2 days after birth and again at 7 to 14 days after birth. Early detection and treatment can prevent serious health problems.

  • Child Support Enforcement Services

    The Office of the Attorney General helps families establish a child’s legal father, set child support, collect child support payments, find absent parents, and offers services to help parents work together to meet their children’s physical and emotional needs.

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps

    SNAP helps families buy food. SNAP benefits are given through the Lone Star Card. This is a plastic card that is used like a debit card.

  • Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)

    ECI helps children birth to 3 years of age with disabilities and delays in growth or learning. ECI services help children reach their full potential.

  • Family Planning Services

    Most family planning clinics offer pregnancy testing and counseling, birth control methods and counseling, tests for breast and cervical cancers and HIV testing and counseling. Ask your provider if confidential visits are available.

  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

    TANF helps families with children ages 18 and younger pay for things like food, clothing, and housing. TANF benefits are given through the Lone Star Card. This is a plastic card that is used like a debit card.

  • Head Start and Early Head Start

    These programs promote healthy development in preschool children from birth to age 5. Priorities include education, family literacy, health, and childcare.

Other Programs & Services

  • Texas Workforce Commission
  • Education
  • Postpartum Depression
  • Mental Health
  • Housing
  • Child Abuse Reporting
  • HIV and STD
  • Rent Payment Assistance
  • Utility Assistance
  • Women’s Health

Dental Resources List

  • CommUnity Care Dental Clinics: MAP Dental Clinics

  • CommuniCare Health Centers (Dental)

    Hours: M-F 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

    2810 Dacy Lane Kyle, TX 7864031

    • Accepted Payers: Self-pay (sliding fees) service done at a reduced fee
    • Provides: routine dental care, extractions, cleanings, root canals, crowns, bridges dentures and partials

  • St. David's Foundation

    Qualifications:
    Must be part of the following school districts:
    Austin, Manor, Del Valle, Pflugerville, Round Rock & Hays

    • Mobile Dental Vans
    • Can ask for school nurse to assist with appointment
    • Only sees children 5 years old and up
    • No fee

  • Lone Star Circle of Care

    Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

    Georgetown (adults and all children) Round Rock (children and adolescent) Bastrop (adults and children)105

    Call the number above to make an appointment

    Cost based on income, fee for service $75-$250

    Provides: routine care, fillings, extractions, stainless steel crowns (no gold or porcelain) and partial dentures.

  • HIV/AIDS: Jack Sansing Dental Clinic

    M-Th: 8 - 5PM, F: 8-12PM

    711 W St Suite EA Austin, TX 7870536

    Sliding scale/services done at a reduced fee
    Only for people living with HIV or AIDS

  • Manos De Cristo

    Hours: M-F: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Takes walk-in for emergencies M-F: 7:30-12

    4911 Harmon Avenue Austin, TX 7875137

    Children 8 and over, adults, and seniors

    • Accepted Payers: Self-pay (sliding fees) service done at a reduced fee
    • Provides: routine dental care, extractions, cleanings, root canals, crowns, bridges, dentures and partials

  • Austin Community College (ACC) Dental Hygiene Program

    Hours: M-F: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

    3401 Webberville Road, Room 8162 Austin, TX 7870251

    • Exam, x-rays and cleanings only, each appointment can take up to 3 hours
    • $49-$99 for cleanings

  • Denture Centers

  • UT Dental School — San Antonio

    Hours: M-F by appointment only

    • Dental Screening $39
    • Emergency appointment $40
    • Low cost dental treatment

Umbilical Cord Blood Banking & Donation

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT CORD BLOOD BANKING AND DONATION

Download the brochure below for more details about:

What is cord blood?

Umbilical cord blood is the blood that stays in the umbilical cord and placenta after the birth of your baby. It can be used to help treat diseases in children and adults.

How is cord blood used?

Stem cells from cord blood can be used to treat over 70 diseases in children and adults. Cord blood has been used to treat certain cancers, inherited diseases and diseases of the immune system.

How is cord blood collected?

After your baby is born, medical staff collects the cord blood and places it in a special container that is sent to the cord blood bank. The cord blood and mother’s blood are then processed and tested. If the mother’s blood shows the presence of any illness, the mother will be notified. If the cord blood bank determines the blood can be used, it is stored for future use.

Who benefits from cord blood?

Cord blood transplants can help blood relatives, extended family members, and non-related children and adults.

Are there risks with cord blood collection?

There are no risks to the mother or infant when cord blood is collected. Collecting the blood does not affect delivery or cause pain to the mother or infant.

Are cord blood and embryonic stem cells different?

Yes. Embryonic stem cells come from developing human or animal embryos. Cord blood stem cells do not involve the use of embryos.

Is there a demand for cord blood?

Yes. Thousands of people who could benefit from a cord blood transplant die every year waiting for treatment. There is an especially great need for more cord blood donations from ethnic and racial minorities.

What are the options for handling cord blood?

Options for those who want to donate cord blood:

  • Donate to a public bank, where your donation is made available to others, much like blood banks.
  • Save cord blood through a family banking program. It will be available for family members for a fee.
  • Save it for a sibling with medical need.
  • Donate it for research studies.

Is there a cost to donate or save cord blood?

There is no cost to donate cord blood to a public cord blood bank. There may be costs associated with family- or sibling-directed donor programs.

How do we decide whether to donate?

The decision to donate or save cord blood is a choice that only expectant parents can make. It is important for expectant parents to talk to their health care provider so that they have all the information they need to make the decision that is right for their family.

View Brochure