Prenatal care is a right, not a privilege. Whether you’re uninsured, underinsured, or undocumented, you may have ways to access perinatal, pregnancy, and postpartum services at a reduced

cost. Prenatal care helps ensure that you and your pregnancy are healthy. Your first prenatal visit usually takes place around 8 weeks of pregnancy. This appointment is often one of the

longest, especially if this is your first appointment with a new healthcare professional. Your clinician will: * review your medical history * confirm your pregnancy with a urine test *

perform a physical exam, including a pelvic exam * take samples for a series of blood tests As your pregnancy progresses, your healthcare professional will: * check your blood pressure *

depend on your ability to pay. HEALTH DEPARTMENTS Health departments offer various healthcare services and resources, including prenatal and pregnancy care. These facilities are usually

funded through a mix of state and federal aid. Some services may be available at no cost, while others may be priced according to your income. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC) maintains a directory of all state health department websites. You can use this resource to learn more about the programs and services offered in your state. The National Association

of County and City Health Officials created an interactive map that allows you to search for health departments at the city or county level. You can also find your local health department by

calling 800-311-2229 (English) or 800-504-7081 (Spanish). COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS Community health centers are federally funded healthcare facilities that provide free and lower cost

primary and prenatal care. Your cost will be based on your income. Find a Health Center is a database from the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources, and Services

Administration that can help you locate a nearby community health center. HILL-BURTON FACILITIES The Hill-Burton Act, or The Hospital Survey and Construction Act, is a 1946 law providing

federal funding to hospitals and healthcare facilities. To receive that funding, facilities must provide service without discrimination and free care, including prenatal care, to a

“reasonable number” of people each year. You must meet certain income requirements to qualify. To learn more, contact your local Hill-Burton facility. PLANNED PARENTHOOD Planned Parenthood

provides a wide variety of sexual and reproductive health services. Fees are on a sliding scale, so you’ll pay only what you can afford. Although these offerings can vary depending on your

location, most health centers offer pregnancy testing and can connect you with other lower cost facilities in your area. In addition to prenatal services, many health centers offer care and

support for: * early pregnancy symptoms * miscarriage * postpartum Use Planned Parenthood’s online directory to find a health center near you, or call 800-230-7526. TEACHING FACILITIES

Medical schools often run free or lower cost health clinics that offer prenatal care. These clinics are usually located on the school’s campus or surrounding area. The clinics are staffed by

trained doctors, residents, and medical students. Nurses, midwives, and other healthcare professionals are also onsite. NONPROFITS Local charities and other nonprofit organizations might be

able to help you access prenatal care. Services will vary depending on where you live, but you might be able to receive healthcare, counseling, referrals, and more. Here are a few examples

of nonprofit organizations that offer prenatal services: * CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health (Memphis, TN and Carbondale, IL) * Homeless Prenatal Program (San Francisco) * March of

Dimes Mom & Baby Mobile Health Center (Columbus, OH; New York; Phoenix, AZ; Tuscon, AZ; and Washington, D.C.) Options for free or lower cost medical coverage You might qualify for free

or lower cost insurance. These plans are based on your income, age, and location. Financial assistance programs and discounted services may also be available. MEDICAID Medicaid is a federal

health insurance program for people with limited incomes. The income limits and coverage offered for Medicaid depend on your state but will always include prenatal care services. Many people

who qualify for Medicaid can receive completely free care. To get started, contact your state’s Medicaid office or use the Health Insurance Marketplace to see if you qualify. There’s no

enrollment window for Medicaid, meaning you can apply anytime. CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (CHIP) CHIP is another federal health insurance program. If your income is too high to

qualify for Medicaid, you may be able to get CHIP coverage. In most states, CHIP covers children only. In the following states, CHIP also covers prenatal care: * Colorado * Kentucky *

Missouri * New Jersey * Rhode Island * Virginia * West Virginia You can apply for CHIP coverage by contacting your state’s Medicaid office or using the Health Insurance Marketplace. You can

enroll at any time throughout the year. HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE The Health Insurance Marketplace allows you to apply for insurance. If you have a limited income, you’ll receive a tax

subsidy to help cover the cost. But you’ll need to apply during an open enrollment period. Pregnancy isn’t a qualifying life event to apply for coverage outside of yearly open enrollment.

Annual enrollment is open from November 1 until January 15. Childbirth, however, is a qualifying life event to apply outside of open enrollment. You have 60 days after childbirth to apply

for Marketplace insurance. SELF-PAY AND DISCOUNT PLANS You can ask most healthcare facilities about self-pay rates, charity rates, and other forms of financial assistance. Often, there will

be discounts for people without insurance, and many billing departments will work with you to negotiate payment plans. You may also consider a medical discount plan. This isn’t insurance,

but it can help you save money. You’ll pay a set monthly fee and receive discounted prices for prenatal services. It’s important to note that if a medical discount plan seems too good to be

true, it likely is. These plans aren’t regulated like medical insurance, so it’s up to you to confirm the plan’s legitimacy. Finding an in-person or virtual support group A support group in

your area might be able to help you find programs that offer free or lower cost prenatal care you might not have found on your own. You can also find support groups that match your specific

situation and circumstances. This can help you find safe, supportive care at a lower cost. If you want to attend in person, you might be able to find a peer support group at a lower cost on

meetup.com. Your healthcare professional may also be able to make recommendations. If you want to attend virtually, you might consider one of the following: * FAMILY EQUALITY: This nonprofit

hosts free peer support groups for LGBTQIA+ families. * JUSTBIRTH SPACE: This online community offers a variety of free peer support groups and parenting classes, including two

Spanish-speaking groups. * MELANIN MOMS: This private Facebook group for expectant parents and birthing parents of Black children has more than 50,000 members and counting. * POSTPARTUM

SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL: This global organization facilitates over 50 weekly groups dedicated to different communities, including 19 Spanish-speaking groups. All groups are free to attend. *

RAINBOW FAMILIES: This nonprofit offers a rotating selection of peer support groups for LGBTQIA+ families. Annual membership starts at $20 and includes support group access at no additional

cost. One-time access to a support group series starts at $20. You can also email [email protected] to request a fee waiver. * THE MOTHERHOOD CENTER OF NEW YORK: This organization

offers three support groups facilitated by a licensed perinatal therapist. Each session costs $25. You can also use Psychology Today’s online database to find a local or virtual support

group facilitated by a mental health professional. Click on the “price” dropdown menu and select the “sliding scale” box to limit your search to lower cost groups. The bottom line Prenatal

care is an important part of a healthy pregnancy. This typically involves monthly appointments for the first 28 weeks, biweekly appointments from 28–36 weeks, and weekly appointments from 36

weeks until childbirth. Many organizations offer free or lower cost prenatal services to ensure you get the care you need. Although your options will depend on your location, the county

health department is usually a good place to start. ------------------------- _Tess Catlett is a sex and relationships editor at Healthline, covering all things sticky, scary, and sweet.

Find her unpacking her inherited trauma and crying over Harry Styles on Twitter._