Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

The first step is a pregnancy test and a first visit. You can get both for free or low cost — you do not need insurance, and you do not need documents.

• Your county health unit and community health centers offer pregnancy testing and can start your care.
• Bring a photo ID if you have one. If you don't, you can still be seen.
• Ask for someone who speaks your language, or for an interpreter — it's free and it's your right.

You may be able to get health coverage for your pregnancy — even if you have no insurance now, and even if you do not have documents. Here's what may be available:

• Pregnancy Medicaid — covers your prenatal care, delivery, and care after the baby. Income limits are higher for pregnant women than for other adults, and your unborn baby counts as part of your household, which raises the limit further.
• You may be able to start care right away. Many clinics and hospitals can sign you up temporarily on the spot, so your prenatal care begins before your full application is approved. Ask the clinic about "presumptive eligibility."
• If you do not have documents, Arkansas has a program ("Unborn Pregnant Woman") that may cover prenatal care, delivery, and care after the baby. Emergency coverage may also pay for labor and delivery. Ask a clinic or a benefits navigator — your information is not used for immigration.
• ARKids covers your children's health. A new baby is usually covered automatically for about a year if you had Medicaid during pregnancy.
• To apply: Access Arkansas (access.arkansas.gov) or call 1-855-372-1084. For ARKids, call 1-888-ARKids-1.

Amounts and rules change — a navigator can check your exact situation.

Once you have coverage (or while you're applying), you need regular checkups during your pregnancy. We can help you find a clinic that:

• accepts Medicaid or offers sliding-scale (pay-what-you-can) care,
• speaks your language or has interpreters,
• and is close to you, or offers telehealth if travel is hard.

Eating well during pregnancy matters, and there's help to pay for it.

• WIC gives food, nutrition help, and breastfeeding support to pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. Many families qualify.
• Local food pantries can help if money is tight.

Some pregnancies need extra care. If your doctor says yours is high-risk, you do not have to travel far to get specialist help.

• UAMS ANGELS connects rural mothers to high-risk pregnancy specialists by telehealth, so you can get expert care closer to home.
• Ask your clinic for a referral, or call to learn more.

You don't have to do this alone. UAMS Healthy Start gives pregnant women and new mothers a community health worker — a real person who helps you understand your coverage, find care, and stay supported before and after the baby. The service is free.

• Available in many Arkansas counties — ask when you call, or check their website.

Your care doesn't stop at delivery — and neither does your baby's.

• You still need a checkup after birth (a postpartum visit) and ongoing women's health care. Your pregnancy Medicaid may keep covering you for a while after delivery — ask how long.
• Your baby is usually covered automatically for about a year if you had Medicaid. Sign up for ARKids to keep coverage going.
• Take your baby to well-child visits and vaccines on schedule.

Having a baby is a big change, and it's normal to need support. Help is available, and asking for it is a sign of strength.

• If you feel sad, anxious, or overwhelmed for more than a couple of weeks, talk to your doctor or reach out — postpartum depression is common and treatable.
• Home visiting programs and breastfeeding support can help you adjust.
• You can talk to someone confidentially.