It is normal to have a range of feelings when you find out you are pregnant — everything from joy and excitement, to anxiety and uncertainty. But when you have limited resources or support, having a baby can also be a nerve-wracking experience. If you’re pregnant and worried about how you’re going to manage it all, you should know there are many options available in Central Florida to help both you and your baby.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN ORANGE COUNTY

The Florida Department of Health is available to assist people in Florida with health care and support services, including dental care, prenatal health and family planning services, vaccines, and access to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (commonly referred to as WIC).

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN

WIC supports low-income women and families by helping them buy food and formula as well as get breastfeeding support, health care referrals, and nutrition education. Eligibility is based on your household income and family size. To apply for WIC, call 1-800-342-3556 and request the number for the WIC office closest to you.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT PRENATAL CARE

Getting prenatal care as soon as you find out you are pregnant is important for you and the health of your baby. The sooner you can access care, the better. The Florida Department of Health in Orange County offers a $1,500 prenatal care package for those who don’t qualify for Medicaid, with payment options and extended payment plans available. Their package includes office visits, routine lab tests, and sonograms. Other services include support groups and case management. They can also help with applications for Medicaid eligibility, and referrals to WIC.

HEALTHY START PROGRAM AT FDOH

Healthy Start is a long-running program with free services for pregnant women, women between pregnancies, and kids up to age three. Assistance provided includes help finding a prenatal care provider, newborn care education, breastfeeding support, childbirth classes, nutrition education, and help quitting smoking, among others. Participating is totally voluntary and a great way for parents to find the help they need as they start and grow their family.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Florida Department of Children and Families is the hub for Automated Community Connection to Economic Self Sufficiency, or ACCESS, services; temporary cash assistance; and Medicaid.

ACCESS FLORIDA

The ACCESS Florida system allows you find out more information about public assistance programs 24/7, including info on eligibility requirements for cash, food, and medical assistance.

TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE

The Temporary Cash Assistance program provides financial assistance to pregnant women in their third trimester and families with children to help with rent, utilities, and other household expenses. To qualify, your income must be less than 185 percent of the Federal Poverty level.

MEDICAID

The Department of Children and Families determines eligibility for Medicaid, a program that provides coverage for most necessary medical benefits and services, such as prenatal care, lab tests, doctor visits, labor, and delivery. Pregnant women may qualify for Medicaid if their household’s income is within a certain range.

EASY ACCESS CLINIC

Easy Access Clinic is a group of midwives and nurse practitioners who provide prenatal and postpartum care, family planning services, childbirth classes, and other services related to women’s health like Pap smears and breast exams. The clinic accepts Medicaid-managed care plans as well as a few standard insurance plans. Uninsured patients can pay on a sliding scale. No one is turned away.

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS

Community Health Centers is a nonprofit organization that offers a range of health services for uninsured and underinsured patients in Central Florida. There, you can get access to prenatal care as well as pediatric care after the baby is born. They accept Medicaid and private insurance and offer a sliding-scale program for those within a certain level of income.

HEALTHY START COALITION OF ORANGE COUNTY

Another family-focused nonprofit, the Healthy Start Coalition of Orange County has classes, resources, and programs to help pregnant women and their families. This organization is separate from the health department’s Healthy Start program mentioned above.

NURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP

The Nurse Family Partnership matches up registered nurses with pregnant women to check in on them from pregnancy through the child’s second birthday. These nurses are specially trained to answer moms’ questions, offer advice, and share information about how parents can protect and improve the health of their babies. Any low-income, first-time moms in their first or second trimester (before 28 weeks gestation) can enroll in the program, so long as they live in zip codes 32808 or 32818.

WINNIE PALMER HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN AND BABIES

The Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies isn’t just a place for delivering your baby. The hospital has a huge list of pregnancy-related and postpartum classes, breastfeeding support, and fitness classes designed to help new moms and dads adjust to life with a new baby. The site also has support groups for those who experience miscarriage or infant loss, postpartum anxiety or depression, or whose babies are in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

HEALTH CENTRAL HOSPITAL

The Healthy Start Coalition of Orange County hosts childbirth education classes at Health Central Hospital. The four-day course covers the basics of what you can do to prepare for labor and birth, including info on breathing techniques, medications, and comfort measures.

TOBACCO FREE FLORIDA

Tobacco use during pregnancy can significantly impact your health and the health of your baby. Pregnant women can get help quitting smoking for free through Tobacco Free Florida. The program provides services a few different ways — by phone, online, or in-person group meetings — whatever works best for you, as well as a host of online tools and resources to look through whenever you want. It also gives out a limited supply of free nicotine replacement therapy products (like nicotine gum and patches) to help reduce cravings and take the edge off of withdrawal symptoms. You can sign up for the program online.