If you just found out you’re pregnant, your mind is likely flooded with questions right now:
What kind of care do I need?
Can I afford it?
Do I even have access to support?
For many women, especially those facing unexpected pregnancies or financial strain, navigating the healthcare system can feel confusing and overwhelming. But here’s what’s important to know: you do have rights. And understanding those rights can help you access the care and support you and your baby deserve—both during pregnancy and after delivery.
Read on to learn more about your medical rights and how to access prenatal and postnatal care.
You May Qualify for Free Support and Care
One of the most important things to know is that help may already be available to you. Missouri’s Alternatives to Abortion Program offers free services through a network of providers who are committed to supporting you throughout your pregnancy and beyond.
You may be eligible for these services if you:
- Are a pregnant woman who plans to carry your baby to term
- A United States resident living in Missouri
- Have a household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
If you meet these criteria, you can receive support designed to care for both your health and your day-to-day needs.
These services can include connections to prenatal care, help accessing healthy food, and support for essential items like clothing and baby supplies. The goal is to ensure that you and your baby have what you need—not just medically, but practically and emotionally as well.
You Have the Right to Support Beyond Birth
Your medical care doesn’t end once your baby is born—and neither should your support. Postnatal (or postpartum) care is just as important as prenatal care, helping you recover physically, adjust emotionally, and care for your newborn confidently.
In Missouri, if you qualify for the Missouri Alternatives to Abortion Program, you have the right to free follow-up care after delivery, including physical checkups, mental health support, and resources for infant care (such as breastfeeding, managing postpartum emotions, or accessing pediatric care).
Furthermore, this program also provides free access to counseling, parenting education, job training, and much more, equipping you with the knowledge you need to succeed financially and emotionally in this new season of life.
You Have the Right to Be Informed and Supported
You also have the right to understand your care. You deserve clear, accurate information about your health, your baby’s development, and the resources available to you during pregnancy and beyond. Additionally, you are able to ask questions, seek guidance, and make informed decisions without pressure or confusion.
Programs across Missouri are designed to walk alongside you—offering not just medical referrals, but also practical support like housing assistance, material resources, and case management. You are not expected to figure everything out on your own. There are people ready to listen, guide, and support you every step of the way.
How You Can Get Help Today
If you’re pregnant and unsure where to turn, you’re not alone, and support may be more accessible than you think. Providers affiliated with Missouri’s Alternatives to Abortion Program offer assistance that goes beyond medical care, including help with housing needs, utility concerns, and even emergency shelter in times of crisis.
Wondering if you qualify for Missouri’s Alternatives to Abortion Program and how to find prenatal care today? Search your area for providers and support.
They can answer your questions and point you in the right direction.
