Pregnancy can be an exciting, joy-filled time in a young woman’s life. It can also be scary and challenging, especially for first-time, young and low-income mothers. There’s no guidebook to being a mom – only words of advice from women who’ve come before you, and a healthcare system that is often expensive and difficult to navigate.
“Being pregnant is almost like being sick,” said Rebecca Lobley, who gave birth to her first daughter, Aria, last fall. She was talking about the healthcare she needed to maintain a healthy pregnancy. Doctors visits, vitamins, Lamaze classes – there’s so much an expecting mom can do to ease childbirth and prepare for a healthy baby. But these are all things moms must first know about and have access to.
Sovannara Gordillo, recently found out she is pregnant again. Since this is her third child, she feels more knowledgeable about the process of having a baby. When she had her first child at 19, she didn’t know that attending – or not attending – a Lamaze class would play an important role in her health after childbirth. Unable to find an affordable Lamaze class, she went into labor without knowing how to properly push – an avoidable complication that led to health problems that still cause her discomfort years later.
“It’s something a lot of mothers deal with, but no one talks about it,” said Gordillo about her health problems. Voicewaves interviewed Gordillo about what health resources new and expecting moms need to help them through pregnancy and motherhood.
Gordillo’s courage to speak up about her experience as a young mother breaks the silence that many teen moms face. Stigmatized as irresponsible parents, and often with few adults to go to for support – teen moms have found a way to help each other by creating support groups on Facebook. The group description for one teen mom group reads, “Us teen moms need some support too! People talk down on us, Well….Not every young mom is a bad mom! We are strong women, and it should be KNOWN that we are strong! This page is for teen moms who need/want advice, want to meet other teen moms, and to make play days with other teen moms for the children.”
Teen pregnancy hotspots in Long Beach are in the zip codes 90806, 90813, and 90805 – signaling a need for reproductive healthcare resources in central and north Long Beach.
Voicewaves has compiled a list of resources in Long Beach for new and expecting moms. Please comment if you know of more resources to help moms!
RESOURCES:
City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services
Maternal and Child Health Access and Education Program: Prenatal Services & Medi-Cal Assistance
Nursing Division
2525 Grand Avenue, Room 106 Long Beach, CA 90815
(562) 570-4171 or 1-800-832-2307
Walk-In Clinic Hours
Monday-Friday
900 am – 600pm
The African-American Infant Health Project (AAIHP)
(562) 570-1148
Overview: The African-American Infant Health Project is a program designed to assist you in maintaining a healthy pregnancy and to provide support services for the first two years of your baby’s life. AAIHP has access to information and resources that can help you have a health pregnancy, and also a healthier lifestyle.You can qualify if you are an African-American woman living in the city of Long Beach currently pregnant, or parenting children under the age of 2 years old.
Prenatal Care
St. Mary’s O.B. Clinic
529 E. 10th St. Long Beah, CA
562-491-9047
http://www.stmarymedicalcenter.org/Medical_Services/Obstetrics_Maternal_Health_Services/index.htm
Overview: The OB Clinic free pregnancy tests; no appointment is necessary for this service. The Clinic also provides:
- Teen Pregnancy Counseling
- Health Education Classes
- Breastfeeding Assistance
- Prenatal Care Classes
- Healthcare Benefits Assistance
- Medi-Cal Worker on Site
MemorialCare Center for Women at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach & Long Beach Memorial Medical Center
Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach
2801 Atlantic Avenue
2nd Floor
Long Beach, CA 90806
Breastfeeding Support and Supply Store
About this Center
Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach
2801 Atlantic Avenue
Center for Women, 2nd Floor
Long Beach, CA 90806
Phone: (562) 933-2779
Breastfeeding Supply Store: (562) 933-2744
Phone: (562) 933-2998
Pacific Hospital Family Health Clinic
(562) 997-2350
2683 Pacific Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90806
Monday – Friday, 8:00a to 5:00p (Except national holidays)
Overview: The Family Health Clinic of Pacific Hospital of Long Beach provides a wide range of Family Medicine services to the community including Family Practice, OB care, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, family planning and dermatology services.
Reproductive Associates
1045 Atlantic #605 Long Beach, CA
562-437-1881
Overview: Insurance and cash patients only
Dr. Nicholas Lee M.D.F.A.C.O.G.
1760 Termino Ave. Suite 200, Long Beach, CA 90804
562-597-0376
*Nurses speak Spanish
Harbor General Women’s Clinic
1000 Harbor Blvd. Torrance, CA
310-547-0202
Overview: Refer women after 6 months or with complications
Comprehensive Perinatal Services programs
(213) 639-6425
Overview: CPS providers include private doctors as well as both private and county clinics and hospitals providing an augmented level of care under Medi-Cal reimbursement program
Prenatal Care Guidance
1-800-422-2968
M-F 8am to 5pm
Department of Social Services (MediCal/AFDC)
1215 E San Antonio Dr., Long Beach, CA.
310-984-9951
Overview: If you need to get MediCal, you must call and make an appointment with a social worker. Need verification with date of last menstrual period and due date.
Childbirth Classes
TLC
Single Women Under 18 Call Brenda Collard at 562-424-0775
Living Well
714-375-7575
DPH Nurse Family Partnership Program
213-639-6434
Overview: 2 ½ year home visiting/mentoring program for first time pregnant teens.
Human Services Association
Parenting Classes
http://www.hsala.org/services/program/parenting-classes
562-806-5400 ext. 116
Overview: Weekly parenting classes in English and Spanish are offered at HSA and at different locations throughout the southeast area. There is a nominal fee for the 12-week courses, and a certificate of completion is awarded to each parent that successfully completes the course.
California Child Care Resources and Referrals (R & R) Network Consumer Education Line
800-543-7793
www.rrnetwork.org
Overview: Connect to an R&R located in any California county
Teen/LA at legal Aid of Los Angeles (LAFLA)
323-980-3500
www.laclj.org
www.facebook.com/TeenLA
Overview: special project within LACLJ designed to meet the needs of young parents and assist with: Child custody and visitation, paternity, child support, domestic violence restraining orders divorce. LACLJ also assists clients of all ages on cases involving housing, family law, and VAWA/U visa and special immigrant Juvenile Status immigration.
Baby Step Inn
1755 Freeman Ave. Long Beach, 90804
562-986-5525
Overview: Residential Treatment Center (Drug & Alcohol) for pregnant women with drug-history
Maternity Homes (for pregnant women with children)
New Life Beginnings
835 E. 6th St. Long Beach, CA 90802
562-590-1538
Overview: NLB serves a diverse racial and cultural population of homeless pregnant women and their children.
His Nesting Place
562-422-2137
350 E Market St. Long Beach
Overview: Shelter akes pregnant women with or without children. Also takes women not pregnant but with a child 6-12 months old.
Evergreen Christian Shelter
323-777-2637
Missionaries of Charity (Queen of Peace)
310-635-3264
10950 Lywnwood, California
Overview: Takes children under 5 yrs. Old only. Staff speaks English & Spanish.
Maternity Homes (for pregnant women without children)
Precious Life Center Los Alamitos
562-431-5025
Overview: Shelter takes pregnant women over 17 years old.
Casa De Los Angelitos
Harbor City
310-325-8208
Maternity Homes for Teens
Community Services Program Youth Shelter
980 Catalina, Laguna Beach
714-494-4311
Overview: Pregnant young women in crisis 11-17 years. Short term (2-4) weeks shelter. Main objective is reunification with family.
Mary Shelter
Tustin
714-730-0390
Overview: Shelter for minors only.
Teen Mothers’ Schools
Reid High School
235 E 8th St. Long Beach, CA
310-436-9931
Overview: Free child care, 10-15 years old.
Tracy High School
310-809-9011
Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) Program
http://www.longbeach.gov/health/mcah/wic.asp
Overview: The WIC Program is a supplemental nutrition program that provides monthly food coupons, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care services.
Health Department WIC Site
2525 Grand Ave, Long Beach, CA 90815
Monday from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm, Tuesday-Friday from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Now open three Saturdays out of each month from 8:00 am to 11:30 am, please call to confirm dates.
West WIC Site
2125 Santa Fe Ave, Long Beach, CA 90810
Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
North WIC Site
5166 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90805
Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
St. Mary WIC Site
1043 Elm Ave, Ste 401 Long Beach, CA 90805
Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Central Facilities Center Site
1133 Rhea Street, Long Beach, CA 90806
Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
