Breaking Down Barriers for High-Risk Pregnancies

For women experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, access to quality medical care is only part of the equation. For many University Hospital patients, financial challenges can make it difficult to afford the basic needs that support a healthy pregnancy and recovery.

Thanks to funding from the New Jersey Health Foundation (NJHF), University Hospital launched a pilot program designed to address these barriers and provide timely support to vulnerable pregnant women and new mothers. More than 75% of women receiving care through University Hospital’s OB/GYN Department are uninsured or underinsured, and nearly half report financial strain that can make it difficult to afford essentials such as transportation, medications, prenatal vitamins, food, diapers, and wipes.

The program provides targeted assistance based on each patient’s individual needs. Support may include transportation to medical appointments, essential baby supplies, grocery assistance, and medications prescribed by the patient’s care team. By addressing these immediate needs, the program helps patients focus on their health and the health of their babies without having to choose between necessities.

The program grew out of University Hospital’s ongoing work to identify and address social factors that affect maternal health. Through previous NJHF-supported initiatives, the OB/GYN team identified financial insecurity as a significant barrier to care and found that small, strategic interventions could make a meaningful difference in patient outcomes.

For patients, that support can mean less stress, greater stability, and a stronger ability to follow their care plans during pregnancy and after delivery. For University Hospital, the program is helping demonstrate how addressing basic needs can be an important part of improving health outcomes for mothers and babies.

Ultimately, this initiative reflects a simple but powerful idea: when we remove barriers to care, we give mothers and their babies a better opportunity for a healthy start.