The goal of Kaiser Permanente’s Early Start is to help women have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby

The goal of Early Start is simple; it is to support a healthy pregnancy in order to have a healthy baby.

The Early Start Program is an example of Kaiser Permanente’s holistic approach to health and wellness in pregnancy.

Early Start is a universal part of prenatal care at Kaiser Permanente. Prenatal Counselors, known as Early Start Specialists, are located in all 49 of our Ob-Gyn clinics across Northern California.

Patients who would benefit from Early Start are identified based on information provided by the patient early in their pregnancy. The majority of patients only see the Specialist once for an assessment appointment, but patients who may need more support will be scheduled for additional follow up visits.

Topics covered in Early Start appointments may include:

• the importance of avoiding alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
• general pregnancy information
• Kaiser Permanente classes
• stress reduction techniques
• pregnancy leave information
• mother/baby resources

For the patient’s convenience, Early Start appointments are booked in conjunction with routine prenatal appointments whenever possible.