Convenient, Virtual Support for Expectant and New Mothers

For expectant mothers, the months leading up to your due date are filled with so many thoughts and emotions. Community Health Network wants to minimize any unnecessary stress and anxiety, so you can focus on the joy and positivity of this exciting time.

That’s why we’re now offering a new hybrid model for your prenatal care. It’s a unique and carefully designed mix of appointment types for maternity patients that include both in-person and virtual visits.

This new model of care offers all the reassurance of direct access to our world-class caregivers while reducing the frequency of in-person visits. Whether it’s during your pregnancy or after delivery, here’s how we offer convenient virtual support for you and your newborn.

Staying in touch with your care team

Community makes it simple to stay connected to your care team before and after you give birth. The simplest way to connect with your provider is with our easy-to-use patient portal MyChart.

You can message your care team, schedule visits, see test results and more right from your browser or the dedicated MyChart smartphone app. Download MyChart on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

And before you leave the hospital following your delivery, you’ll be automatically scheduled for a 1-week postpartum virtual visit. It’s our way of offering you and your newborn the same level of care from the comfort of your own home.

Virtual childbirth education classes

Community offers a range of virtual courses to prepare you for the exciting developments ahead. You can join us to learn more about birth, parenthood and breastfeeding your new baby.

• Birth and Baby  — Geared toward new parents, this four-week course covers the birth process, the hospital experience and newborn care. There’s also an Express version of this course which is a one-day, five-hour session.
• Childbirth Refresher — This single-evening session is perfect for parents who have had a baby in the past five years, TOLAC and VBAC mothers. The childbirth educator will update you on changes since your last baby and other tips about how to help prepare older children for the new baby.
• Breastfeeding Basics — A lactation consultant will share tips to prepare you for breastfeeding in this one-session class for expectant parents. Dads and partners are encouraged to attend!
• Natural Labor — This free one-session class is a place to ask questions for those who are interested in birth using minimal medical intervention at Community. Call 317-621-2397 to register.

Register online right here or call 800-777-7775 (choose option 2).

Virtual perinatal support groups

Raising a baby can be a lot to handle, especially during the pandemic. There are mothers all across Central Indiana who are dealing with the challenges of parenthood, experiencing postpartum depression, or feeling out of touch with their usual support group.

We’re here to help! We offer virtual support groups every week for pregnant and postpartum women. These are safe, confidential spaces led by Community’s behavioral health consultants. They’re an open forum where you’ll hear from other women, learn coping skills and self-care strategies, and talk about experiences of your own if you’d like to share.

Sessions are free to attend, even if you aren’t a Community patient. You don’t even have to worry about registering — just email us at bhintegration@ecommunity.com for details on how to join.

Virtual breastfeeding support

If you’re having trouble breastfeeding, you’re not alone! Whether it’s latching, painful feeding or any other issue you run into, you’ve got virtual support at Community.

You can call your OBGYN office after-hours to be connected with a registered nurse. Our nurses are trained by the Institute for the Advancement of Breastfeeding & Lactation Education (IABLE), and they can help you find a better way forward for you and your baby. And if you’d prefer in-person support, our lactation consultants can schedule you for a visit.

Community Health Network makes it simple to get support as a new mother. We’re with you from day one with a full range of services for your pregnancy, delivery and motherhood.