Public Health Pregnancy Supports

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Public Health’s Early Years program offers support, services and navigation for people who are pregnant. By connecting with us early in pregnancy, you will be able to speak to a Public Health Nurse and find out what options are available through Early Years, and in your community. 

If you have a baby or young child, or are looking for the Loving Care or Breastfeeding Basics books, or other Public Health services, visit Public Health's Parenting Supports webpage. These resources may also be helpful to check out during pregnancy as you plan for your new baby.

Early Years Prenatal Services

When you are referred to Public Health during pregnancy, a Public Health Nurse will reach out to you to talk about your needs and identify which type of support you would benefit from while pregnant and when the baby is born. The nurse can also provide direction to other great resources to help you through your pregnancy.   

Pregnant people will have access to the following services and support as needed:

• Support through our Healthy Beginnings program
• Referral to the Enhanced Home Visiting or Nurse-Family Partnership programs, if eligible 
• Additional calls or visits with a Public Health Nurse to better understand your needs 
• Connection with local resources and organizations supporting pregnant people and families 
• Access to Public Health resources 
• More services and support may be offered on a case-by-case basis 

Find out more about Healthy Beginnings, Enhanced Home Visiting and Nurse-Family Partnership. 

Public Health Nurses can help you learn what to expect while you are pregnant and when you bring your baby home. They can offer:

• Prenatal information and support 
• Infant feeding and nutritional support
• Healthy development and parenting support
• Positive parent-child relationships
• Parental mental health support
• Connection to community resources and programs
• Information and support regarding infant and childhood Immunization

Prenatal Referral to Early Years

All pregnant people in Nova Scotia are entitled to prenatal supports from Public Health. You can be referred to Early Years by a healthcare provider or community organization, like a Family Resource Centre. You can also get in touch with your local Public Health Early Years team personally:

Central Zone Early Years
Halifax area, Eastern Shore and West Hants
902-481-4967/1-800-430-9557 (Toll Free)
earlyyearscz@nshealth.ca 

Eastern Zone Early Years
Cape Breton, Guysborough and Antigonish
earlyyearsez@nshealth.ca 

Northern Zone Early Years
Colchester-East Hants, Cumberland and Pictou
902-667-3319
nzeynurses@nshealth.ca 

Western Zone Early Years
Annapolis Valley, South Shore and South West
1-833-601-0949 (Toll Free)
earlyyearswz@nshealth.ca 

We encourage you to refer as early as possible in pregnancy, ideally by 16 weeks. Whether you self-refer, or are referred by someone else, Public Health will inform you about the status of your referral, including which services best suit your needs. 

Helping You Navigate Pregnancy

Nova Scotia Health Resources: Whether you are currently pregnant or adjusting to life as a parent, there's a lot to learn and it can be challenging to know where to get credible information. A list of resources can be found here to help support you during these times.

There is also helpful information available if you are planning your hospital visit for childbirth.

SmartParent: A great resource to help guide you through pregnancy and your child's first year of life is the SmartParent text message service. You will receive three evidence-based text messages per week pertaining to your baby's stage of development. You can sign up by texting 'Baby' to 12323. Learn more on the IWK SmartParent website.

Bundled Birth Service: The electronic bundled birth service is available at all Nova Scotia Health and IWK maternity sites. The kiosk provides a fast and easy way for new parents to access government services related to the birth of a child. When the birth registration form is completed, new parents have the option to access any of the following services:

• Apply for their baby’s Social Insurance Number
• Apply for Canada Child Benefits
• Apply and pay for their baby’s Nova Scotia Birth Certificate
• Activate their baby’s Nova Scotia Health Card

For more information please visit: www.accessns.ca/birth

COMING SOON: Health and Wellness in Pregnancy

• First Trimester (1-3 months) 
• Second Trimester (3-6 months) 
• Third Trimester (6-9 months) 
• Fourth Trimester (Baby’s first 12 weeks)