The federal government has two food programs to help pregnant women in need. The special supplemental food Program for
women, infants, and children (WIC) provides vouchers for specific foods for women in economically needy communities who are at nutritional risk. factors for nutritional risk include.
- Anemia
- Underweight or overweight
- Multiple pregnancy
- Substance abuse
- Closely spaced pregnancies (less than 2 years apart)
- Adolescence
- Poor fetal growth
- Poor pregnancy weight gain
- Prior premature or low birth weight baby
- Diabetes
- Other conditions determined by the physician or midwife
The WIC program also provides nutritional counseling. The supplemental commodities distribution program distributes surplus foods such as meat, poultry, fruits, vegetables, eggs, beans, peas, dairy products, and grains to women with low incomes.
If you think you qualify for these programs, request a referral from your physician or midwife.