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Baby Steps Program

Getting care during and after your pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby. We are here to support you on this journey.

Prenatal care

Are you having a baby?

This is great news! Now that you are pregnant, you will need to see your doctor for routine pregnancy care, also called prenatal care. Prenatal care can help make sure that your baby is born healthy. You will see your doctor about 15 times during most pregnancies. Take care of your baby. Go to all of your prenatal visits. We can help you schedule doctor visits and get to them.

Talk to your doctor about where you will have your baby. You can deliver at Kern Medical Hospital, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, Mercy Southwest Hospital, Adventist Health Bakersfield, Delano Regional Medical Center or Ridgecrest Regional Hospital.

We can help you understand your doctor’s orders and get you any help you may need. To support you in this journey, we may reach out to you by phone, text, or mail.

Below are some links with helpful information.

Prenatal Support

KFHC Support

Postpartum care

Best wishes for your new baby!

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind.

  • Health insurance: We will cover your baby's healthcare from the month he or she is born to the end of next month. You must apply for Medi-Cal through the Kern County Department of Human Services for your baby to stay covered after that. Call your caseworker at 877.410.8812 for more details.
  • A Primary Care Provider (PCP): If you have not picked a doctor for your baby, call our Member Services Department at 661.632.1590 (Bakersfield) or 800.391.2000 (outside of Bakersfield). We can help you pick a PCP.
  • Newborn wellness care visits: These are the first exams your baby will have after leaving the hospital. Your baby should have a physical exam:
    • Once as a newborn.
    • Once within 3 to 5 days of age.
    • Six visits between 1 to 12 months of age.
    • Once at 15, 18, 24 and 30 months of age.
    • Once a year after their third birthday.
  • Immunizations: These are also called shots. Immunizations protect your baby from diseases. A chart of the immunizations your baby needs is below. Make sure to ask your baby's PCP about whether your baby is due for any shots.
  • Good nutrition: Breastfeeding is almost always the best way to feed your baby. Breast milk can help protect your baby from getting sick. Formula does not offer the same protection.

Now, let's talk about you. You will need to see your doctor 1 to 12 weeks after your baby is born. This is called a postpartum exam. Call your doctor to schedule this visit today if you have not yet. At this visit, your doctor will do an exam and will talk to you about family planning and your birth control choices.

Below are some links with helpful tips on caring for your baby, how to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), nutrition, immunizations, birth control choices and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program.

Postpartum Support

KFHC Support

Learn more about how KFHC’s Baby Steps Program may help you in each chapter of this journey.

  • Phone calls. KFHC may call you a few times during your pregnancy and after your baby is born. The calls will be brief. We may ask you a few questions about how your pregnancy is going and how you’re feeling. Ask us questions too! We will share tips on how to have a healthy pregnancy and how to plan for your baby.
  • Pregnancy health guide. Once we learn about your pregnancy, we will mail you a prenatal health guide. This health guide is made for you, and it has information on your doctors, care, benefits, and pregnancy milestones.
  • Postpartum health guide. When your baby is born, we will follow-up with a postpartum health guide for this new chapter. This health guide will have information about you and your baby and help you plan for the next steps.
  • Yes, that’s right! We want to reward you for starting your pregnancy care early. More information on the $50 rewards can be found here: KFHC Member Rewards.

For more details on KFHC Baby Steps Program visit your KFHC Member Portal.