For expectant mothers, early prenatal care is one of the most important steps toward a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Yet for many immigrant women in our communities, fear and uncertainty are creating barriers to accessing essential healthcare services.
Recently, Univision reporter Julio Cesar visited Via Care Community Health Center to discuss a growing concern: immigrant women delaying prenatal care because they fear seeking medical services. During the interview, Dr. Jung Park, MD, OB/GYN, and Teresa Ortiz, FNP-C, Director of Women’s Health, shared their perspectives on the importance of early prenatal care and the risks that can arise when care is postponed.
Why Early Prenatal Care Matters
Prenatal visits help healthcare providers monitor both the mother’s health and the baby’s development from the earliest stages of pregnancy. Regular prenatal care can help identify and manage conditions such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, anemia, and other complications before they become serious health issues.
During the interview, Via Care’s providers emphasized that receiving care early in pregnancy allows patients to access important screenings, education, and support services that contribute to healthier outcomes for both mother and baby.
When prenatal care is delayed, opportunities for prevention and early intervention can be missed, increasing the risk of complications for both mother and child.
Addressing Fear and Reducing Barriers
Via Care understands that many families are navigating uncertainty, and we want our community to know that healthcare is essential and should never be delayed because of fear.
Our Women’s Health team is committed to creating a welcoming, respectful, and supportive environment for every patient. We work to reduce barriers to care by offering bilingual services, patient navigation support, health education, and connections to resources that help individuals access the care they need.
Teresa Ortiz highlighted the importance of helping patients navigate the healthcare system and ensuring they have access to trusted information, resources, and compassionate care throughout their pregnancy journey.
Watch the Univision Report
We are grateful to Univision for helping raise awareness about this important issue affecting families across our community.
Watch the full interview below to hear from Dr. Jung Park and Teresa Ortiz about the importance of early prenatal care and how Via Care is supporting patients during this challenging time.
Need Prenatal Care?
If you or someone you know is pregnant, Via Care’s Women’s Health team is here to help. Early care can make a significant difference for both mother and baby.
To schedule an appointment, call us at (323) 268-9191.