CLEARFIELD – Healthy Beginnings Plus, a program offered by Clearfield Hospital, helps expectant mothers give their babies the best start in life.
“Good prenatal care is a must for expectant mothers and their babies. Studies show that women who receive medical attention during pregnancy reduce the risk of premature birth and have healthier babies,” stated Marsha Mills, RNC, a Healthy Beginnings care coordinator.
Healthy Beginnings Plus began nine years ago at Clearfield Hospital, and provides income-eligible women with medical care, education and support during and after pregnancy.
The medical team is made up of Dr. Thomas A. Carnevale, chief of obstetrics at Clearfield Hospital; Mills and Tammy Norman, registered nurses and care coordinators; Barb Westover, RN; Deb DeMuro, certified registered nurse practitioner; Kelli Viehdeffer, physician’s assistant; and Barb Carfley and Sue Mason, licensed practical nurses.
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Emergencies after hours and on weekends are handled by the Obstetrics Department.
Among the services offered through Healthy Beginnings Plus:
• Basic obstetrics service. Initial visits, routine office visits throughout pregnancy, delivery and postpartum follow-up care.
• High-risk obstetrics and genetic risk identification services. Screening for high risk factors withreferrals made to appropriate specialists if needed.
• Prenatal and childbirth education. Clearfield Hospital offers prenatal education as part of its childbirth preparation classes. Topics discussed include labor and delivery, newborn care, CPR review, infant safety issues, parenting tips and how to recognize pregnancy complications. Westover, certified lactation counselor, offers assistance with breastfeeding education.
• Dietary counseling. Registered dietician Bernie Clark provides this service in the clinic.
• Smoking cessation/substance abuse identification/referral: These issues are addressed during initial and clinic visits and referrals made to local services if indicated. Smoking cessation counselors are present during each clinic visit.
• Parenting education program. In addition to parenting education in the childbirth program, Healthy Beginnings Plus offers parenting sessions in the clinic, facilitated by social worker Pam Shurer. Clearfield Hospital social services professionals make home visits for parenting counseling when needed.
Norman said the continuity of care provided is important for patients’ physical health and their peace of mind.
“In addition to working for Healthy Beginnings Plus, our staff also works in obstetrics and the nursery, so patients see familiar faces throughout their care. We know them and they know us, so they feel more comfortable,” Norman said.
Penelopie Knepp of Philipsburg, who is pregnant with her third child, said she believes in the benefits of Healthy Beginnings Plus so much that she’s recommended the program to friends.
“The doctor and nurses provide great care and a lot of one-on-one education. They are always available to answer questions, and I trust their judgment. They make you feel like family and are lovely people,” Knepp said.
Healthy Beginnings Plus is located in the Medical Arts Building, Suite 220, Clearfield Hospital. To learn more about the program, contact the office at 768-2148.