Maternal and Perinatal Health Program
Goal
The goal of the Maternal and Perinatal Health Program is to prevent maternal and infant deaths and other adverse perinatal outcomes by promoting preconception health, assuring early entry into prenatal care, and improving perinatal care.
Background
- Program efforts are designed to ensure that all Maryland communities offer maternal and infant health services to clients in need.
- In collaboration with local health departments, hospitals, private providers, professional organizations and community groups, the Program works to assure and improve the quality of services for the 70,000+ infants born each year in Maryland.
- This Program oversees the maternal health programs of the Title V MCH Block Grant.
Current Activities
- Development of a Prematurity Awareness Fact Sheet
- Support of a Toll Free Maternal and Child Health Hotline (1-800-456-8900) that assists pregnant women seeking prenatal care
- Funding of regional perinatal improvement activities (Crenshaw Perinatal Health Initiative)
- Perinatal systems building in each jurisdiction including Fetal and Infant Mortality Review
- Development of perinatal standards and support for Perinatal Center Review and Designation
- Administration of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a statewide survey that identifies and monitors selected maternal behaviors
- Promotion of Preconception Health including the use of folic acid preconceptionally (Folic Acid Council)
- Breastfeeding Promotion
- Maternal Mortality Review in cooperation with the Vital Statistics Administration and the State’s Medical Society
- Funding for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) related educational and family support activities