Across the nation, more than half of all pregnancies are unplanned, or unintended. For individual women, the news can be met with joy and excitement, but more often a feeling of anxiety and apprehension.
Unintended Pregnancies In New York
In New York, the unplanned pregnancy rate is actually higher than the national average. In 2008, more than 54% of all pregnancies were unintended.
Teen pregnancy on the other hand, a major concern in urban areas, has decreased over the years. In the last decade, as public schools allowed students access to contraceptive methods like Plan B, the rate of teenage pregnancy dropped 27%. But this progress isn’t distributed equally. African American teens are still far more likely to get pregnant than white ones, and the Bronx still has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the country.
How Much Does Raising A Child Cost?
According to a report released in 2010 by the United States Department of Agriculture, the average middle-income family can expect to spend around $226,920 in the first 17 years of their child’s life. In 2014 dollars, that’s more like $245,751. Having children is enormously expensive.
Unfortunately, women affected by an unplanned pregnancy are far more likely to be members of low-income families. The Guttmacher Institute reports that “the unintended pregnancy rate among women with incomes lower than the federal poverty level [is] more than five times as high as the rate among women with incomes greater than 200% of poverty.” Most researchers explain this difference by pointing to the difficulty of finding affordable contraception in low-income neighborhoods.
Faced with the challenges of raising a baby, most women in New York City choose abortion over parenting and adoption. In 2008, 32% of all unplanned pregnancies were carried to term, while 56% were terminated.
Can New York State Help?
Yes. New York City’s Department of Health & Mental Hygiene runs several programs that can help pregnant women receive free or low-cost prenatal (“before birth”) care.
Free Prenatal Care Through Medicaid
Receiving regular health check-ups early in your pregnancy is essential. It’s how you and your baby stay safe.
If you are eligible for Medicaid, then you can apply for free health insurance through New York’s Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP). Through Medicaid, you can receive no or low-cost access to:
- Routine medical appointments for you and your baby
- Medical tests
- Hospital care when you need it, both during pregnancy and delivery
- Counseling, testing and treatment for sexually-transmitted diseases
- Health care for you until two months after your delivery
- Health care for your baby until they are one year old
- Referrals to other programs that can help down the road
Whether or not you are eligible depends on your income. If you make:
- $24,225 or less every year, and live in a household of two people
- $30,477 or less every year, and live in a household of three people
- $36,729 or less every year, and live in a household of four people
you qualify for Medicaid. Note that for many of New York’s public assistance programs, pregnant women count as two individuals in a household. You can find larger household sizes here.
To apply, you’ll have to call 1-888-692-6116. Their counselors will refer you to an approved office in your area, where you can learn more.
Finding Prenatal Care Through The Health Insurance Marketplace
New York City used to have a program called Family Health Plus, which helped single pregnant women who are not eligible for Medicaid find prenatal care. That program has been replaced by New York’s Health Insurance Marketplace. You may have to pay some of your premiums, but if you meet certain income guidelines, most costs will be paid by the state.
You can make an account and start looking for a plan that works for you and your family here.
New York City’s Nurse-Family Partnership
For first-time mothers, New York runs its Nurse-Family Partnership program, which matches pregnant women with specially-qualified nurses. Your nurse will visit you every one or two weeks throughout your pregnancy, and until your baby is two.
It’s really an amazing program, and provided at no cost. To learn if your eligible, just call 311 and ask for more information about the Nurse-Family Partnership.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC provides vouchers, like little checks, to pregnant women for nutritious foods that can help you support a healthy, growing baby. Women who are breastfeeding are also eligible, as are children under the age of five.
After being approved, you’ll receive a monthly supply of vouchers that can be redeemed at participating stores for milk, juice, baby formula and other healthy foods.
To be eligible for WIC, you have to be within certain income guildelines and a doctor has to determine that you are at “nutritional risk.” There are many WIC clinics throughout the city, where you can see a doctor who will determine whether you are eligible.
For more information, visit NYC’s Health Insurance Link here.
What About Help After Delivery?
If you live in North and Central Brooklyn, South Bronx or East and Central Harlem, you may be eligible for the Newborn Home Visiting Program.
A certified health worker will visit you at home and provide support in breastfeeding and creating a safe, nurturing home for your newborn. You can ask any questions you have, and they can also help you find additional programs for further support.
To learn more, call 311 and ask the operator about the Newborn Home Visiting Program.
If you need to work, or pursue your education, NYC’s Administration for Children’s Services may be able to help pay for a portion of child care. You can find out if you qualify here.
