In the event a student is identified as pregnant and requests continued prenatal care, the student health center providers and staff must be well-versed in providing information about community prenatal care providers and available services that are compatible with the student’s insurance plan. Students may need other support including assistance in maintaining academic standing and identifying resources, including financial aid.

Pregnancy

  • Create a referral system to community prenatal care providers.
  • Assist with connecting with case managers, disability services, Title IX coordinator, and academic support, including dean of students.

Pregnancy Loss

  • Provide emotional/spiritual support resources.
  • Offer appropriate care and referral for spontaneous pregnancy loss.
  • Establish protocols and communication pathways with referral GYN/OB specialists for cases of bleeding during pregnancy and/or early pregnancy loss.

Postpartum

  • Ensure direct access to LARC postpartum and transition care back to the SHS.
  • Offer mental health support, including identification and treatment of postpartum depression.

Parenting

  • Assess parenting, breastfeeding/chestfeeding resources, and policies and expand as needed.
  • Assist with connecting with case managers, disability services, Title IX coordinator, support groups for student parents, and academic support including dean of students.
  • Review options for dependent care insurance coverage through student health insurance plan (SHIP).
  • Identify local childcare resources to share with parents seeking support.
  • Make resource lists available electronically, considering students both on and off campus.

Potential Resources on Campus for Pregnant and Parenting Students

Academic services: Staff must ensure that academic expectations are flexible to accommodate student needs.

CARE team: On some campuses, the CARE team consists of a small group of staff members from student affairs and academic services who work collaboratively with partners across campus to support students and connect them with resources and services. The CARE team may be made aware of students managing a pregnancy and/or pregnancy loss and are able to connect students to on-campus and local resources.

Counseling services: May be helpful for students seeking help with values clarification, communication regarding pregnancy status, and/or identifying personal needs regarding pregnancy.

Disability services: Offer students accommodations regardless of their choice to terminate or continue pregnancy and be aware that related conditions and symptoms (e.g., pregnancy loss, abortion) may be used to request an accommodation as it may impact academic performance.

Emergency fund: Campus resource that has a simple application process and rapid response to ensure pregnant and parenting students have access to funds for support.

Health Promotion Office: May provide health education, safer sex supplies, communication of results, pregnancy option education, values clarification, and assistance with navigation of resources.

Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO)/Title IX: The purpose is to remove barriers to students accessing education. In that role, OEO would respond to discriminatory behavior against a pregnant person. OEO is able to coordinate housing accommodations, academic services, and other supports.

Residence life: Ensure policies are in place for pregnant students to reside in residential halls and/or students with babies residing elsewhere.

Student affairs: Share resources such as lactation rooms, connect students to CARE Team, and coordinate support. Many universities have women and gender centers which are prepared to help students navigate pregnancy as it impacts the students’ engagement with the academic community. Example of a campus website sharing resources with students who are parents is Students as Parents | UC Santa Cruz.

SHIP office: Assist with referral to community resources.

Student health center: In addition to offering contraception, including emergency contraception, clinicians can evaluate, diagnose, and counsel about the full range of pregnancy options. Some centers may be able to provide abortion services and/or prenatal care.

Other resources:

  • The Pregnant Scholar provides technical assistance to college/university administrators, training on Title IX’s pregnancy-related protections, and assistance implementing best practice policies to support pregnant and parenting students.

 

Resources for non-birthing partners:

Resources for Dads and Non-Birthing Parents | Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance

Information for Dads and Partners | Tommy’s.org (UK-based organization; not all information will apply to U.S students)

Making a great start to parenthood: tips for non-birthing parents (Australia-based organization; not all information will apply to U.S. students)

Father’s Playbook (for dads who are trying to make sense of pregnancy and how to help)