Maternal and Child Health

Beds and Britches, Etc. (B.A.B.E) is a community-based incentive program that promotes responsible parenting by offering incentives to expectant parents. B.A.B.E. coupons can be redeemed at any of five B.A.B.E. stores within Marion County, Indiana. The coupons can be used for infant-related merchandise such as diapers, car seats, clothing, high-chairs, strollers, and cribs. Participants earn the coupons by keeping prenatal appointments, attending parenting classes, taking their child(ren) to get immunized, and other activities that improve family health and wellness and promote positive child growth and development.

The Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) program aims to learn more about the loss of babies in Marion County, Indiana, and ways we can prevent future losses. Through case reviews and interviews with families, we hope to improve resources and services to better help mothers and save the lives of more infants

“No one talks about the loss of an infant still happening in the U.S. It’s so taboo that there are few people who can handle talking about it and supporting you after the fact.”

– from a maternal interview with a grieving mother

The Indianapolis Healthy Babies Consortium is a community-based partnership consisting of community-based health centers, community residents, health care professionals, Indianapolis-area healthcare systems, institutes of higher learning and state and local health departments dedicated to improving birth outcomes and reducing the overall number of babies who die before their first birthday in Marion County. Solutions to address these health challenges are sought through using fetal-infant mortality data, advocacy, education, and innovative initiatives.

Indianapolis Healthy Start offers education, referral and support services to pregnant women and their families. Our goal is to eliminate the disparities in birth outcomes and infant survival rates in Marion County. Services are provided through case management, health education and outreach to program participants. IHS also supports and provides clinical services to address Maternal Mortality and Morbidity, as well as Fatherhood engagement and enrollment.

The nutrition services program addresses the nutrition needs of both mothers and babies by providing educational resources via virtual or live classes, demonstrations, and home visitation. Having adequate nutritional services will decrease adverse pregnancy outcomes and poor fetal growth.

To decrease infant mortality in Marion County and to safeguard the health of women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, promoting healthy behavior changes through participant centered nutrition education, encouraging fatherhood engagement, and connecting families to the community resources they need.”