Program:
Access to Care
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Females, all ages or age unspecified
Program Description:
For the past 15 years, Indiana has made little progress in increasing the percentage of pregnant women entering first trimester prenatal care, which is now less than 80 percent. Only 16 states in the US have lower rates. Factors associated with late or no prenatal care include increased rates of prematurity and low birth weight. Equal access to risk appropriate, quality and culturally sensitive care is an important factor in improving perinatal outcomes. In addition to removing barriers to care, efforts are needed to improve the content, quality, and acceptability of the care to meet the needs of pregnant women.
IPN’s Access to Care initiatives involve collaborating with providers, communities, and policymakers to identify and implement strategies that facilitate early and low-barrier entry into care for vulnerable women.
For more information, contact Caitlin Priest at 317.924.0825 x4231 or cpriest@indianaperinatal.org.
Program Long-Term Success:
Published Best Intentions: Unplanned Pregnancies & the Well-Being of Indiana Families - A Call to Action, which marked the yearlong efforts of 25 public and private healthcare professionals, clergy and human service providers. Received endorsements for Best Intentions from the Indiana Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Indiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
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Program:
Breastfeeding
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Females, all ages or age unspecified
Program Description:
The benefits of breastfeeding to both infants and mothers have been well documented. Breast milk reduces the risks for a variety of childhood illnesses and infections. It also reduces the risk of obesity, certain types of cancer and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Benefits for new mothers include decreased postpartum bleeding, earlier return to pre-pregnancy weight, increased child spacing, reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer, osteoporosis and hip factures.
The Indiana Perinatal Network has a long history of working with health care providers, local community organizations and legislators to promote breastfeeding throughout the state. This includes:
- Convening a statewide taskforce, known as the Indiana Breastfeeding Alliance to develop a nationally recognized call to action document
- Being selected as one of ten pilot states to participate in a unique federal training program, to educate businesses of the benefits of lactation support in the workplace and provide practical suggestions on how to support employed breastfeeding women.
- Leading efforts by the IN General Assembly to pass new legislation to support breastfeeding women returning to work
- Supporting the development of nearly 30 local breastfeeding coalitions throughout the state.
For more information, contact Tina Cardarelli at 317.924.0825 x4223 or tcardarelli@indianaperinatal.org.
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Program:
Perinatal Mood Disorders
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Females, all ages or age unspecified
Program Description:
Considered among the most common complications of pregnancy and the postpartum period, perinatal mood disorders (PMD) can impact pregnancy and birth outcomes, maternal role function, and infant/child development. Research suggests that more than one in 10 women will experience various degrees of depression during their childbearing year.
Since 2002, IPN has assumed a lead role in expanding the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of perinatal mood disorders throughout Indiana. IPN’s award-winning work focuses on educating healthcare providers, developing and launching multimedia public awareness campaigns, creating online resources to aid perinatal depression sufferers, and strengthening statewide infrastructure on PMD prevention and response.
IPN staff works closely with the Indiana Perinatal Mood Disorders Task Force to improve statewide infrastructure and capacity related to PMD prevention, awareness, treatment, and policy. It aims to enhance and expand existing PMD resources through strengthening provider training, broadening access to services, developing coordinated community responses, and monitoring and promulgating sound policy.
Contact Caitlin Priest at 317.924.0825 ext. 4231 or cpriest@indianaperinatal.org.
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Program:
Substance Use
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Females, all ages or age unspecified
Program Description:
A September 2006 needs assessment estimates that nearly 20 percent of women in Indiana use tobacco, while 10 percent use alcohol and 5 percent use other drugs during pregnancy. A critical step to prevent poor outcomes associated with substance use during pregnancy is to verbally screen all pregnant women for alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. The 2007 White House Office of National Drug Control Policy estimates that savings from verbal screening and brief interventions are $2.50 for every $1 spent. The estimated lifetime costs of caring for a baby exposed to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs range from $750,000 to $1.4 million.
IPN convened a group of experts and concerned individuals from across the state to develop a comprehensive consensus statement that includes recommendations for providers, the public and policy makers to address this complex issue. IPN then hosted a statewide summit featuring national and state experts and effective intervention programs that exist throughout our state. IPN played a lead role getting three different bills passed by the Indiana General Assembly to address this important and complex perinatal issue.
For more information, contact Larry Humbert at 317.924.0825 x4224 or lhumbert@indianaperinatal.org.
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Program:
Unplanned Pregnancy
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Females, all ages or age unspecified
Program Description:
Nothing is more important to the well-being of our society than bringing healthy children into the world, supported by adults, ready to learn and with the opportunity to succeed. However, research at the national and state levels indicates that nearly 50 percent of all pregnancies are unplanned – meaning that women would have preferred to become pregnant either later or not at all. Women with unplanned pregnancies are more likely to begin care later in the pregnancy, use alcohol or tobacco, have an abortion, less likely to breastfeed or enroll in WIC and have infants at increased risk for reduced cognitive, behavioral or emotional development.
IPN has conducted cutting edge quantitative and qualitative research, developed a comprehensive and nationally recognized call to action document and are advocating for policy changes within the state Medicaid program.
For more information, contact Caitlin Priest at 317.924.0825 x4231 or cpriest@indianaperinatal.org, or Larry Humbert at 317.924.0825 x4224 or lhumbert@indianaperinatal.org.
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