Do you *really* even need to go to prenatal visits?
And a personal ask from me.
First, I want to share that I’ve decided to make paid subscriptions available. Don’t worry — I will never put educational content behind a paywall. But some of you have asked how you can support my work, and this felt like a good option.
I create almost all of my social content myself (because... well, trust issues — teehee), and honestly, it’s a lot of work. Someday I might bring on help, and your subscription would go directly toward making that possible.
So if you feel like upgrading, I’d be incredibly grateful — but absolutely no pressure!
Second, I’ve got a big call to action for you below that I hope you’ll check out.
Thanks so much for being here — I appreciate you!
Dr. Jen
Why prenatal care is crucial
As an OB/GYN, I get to witness the power of prenatal care every single day. It’s not just about scheduling ultrasounds - it’s about giving every parent and baby the healthiest possible start.
At these visits we:
Catch health issues early (like high blood pressure) before they become big problems.
Offer guidance on mental health—because pregnancy is about so much more than just the physical changes.
Provide crucial screenings, vaccines, and education to keep both parent and baby safe.
Connect families to resources and support, from childbirth classes to postpartum help.
The evidence is clear: consistent prenatal care lowers the risk of complications, preterm birth, and even infant and maternal death. It’s one of the best investments we can make in a family’s future.
Here’s why I’m raising the alarm
Republican lawmakers are proposing cuts to Medicaid, which currently covers nearly half of all births in the U.S.
If these cuts happen, consequences will be devastating:
More pregnant folks will skip or delay care, putting themselves and their babies at risk.
Having private insurance won’t protect you—hospitals will close and wait times will get even worse.
These cuts will leave 7.6 million people uninsured. A large portion will be women who can get pregnant.
Unfortunately this isn’t the first time I’ve talked about how harmful Medicaid cuts will be for pregnant women and their families. You can read more below.
So my ask for you is this:
You shouldn’t have to choose between seeing your OBGYN or buying groceries, yet this is what’s going to happen to our most vulnerable women if we sit by and do nothing.
Prenatal care saves lives. We know this. But it’s under attack.
This is why today I am asking you to share your story about how having access to health insurance—or not—played a role in how you navigated the healthcare system.
Why? Because we need to show Congress what cutting existing programs like Medicaid would mean for MILLIONS of Americans. Numbers wash over people, but stories stick.
Here’s mine from today:
I would be so grateful if you did one or all of these TODAY:
Go here to share your own story at HealthCareHorrorStories.org.
Share on your socials too using the hashtag #HealthCareHorrorStories.
Tag your own representatives whenever you post! They must feel the heat.
Our voices matter. Let’s make sure every family gets the care they deserve.
Until next time,
Dr. Jen