The Vermont Department of Health wants to support planned and healthy pregnancies by strengthening the family planning system in Vermont.
Family planning helps prevent unplanned pregnancy or achieve the intended pregnancy. Family planning empowers people to choose if they want children or not and the number and spacing of children if they choose to have them. Family planning helps improve health outcomes for infants, children, and families.
Pregnancy: Before, During and After
The Division of Family and Child Health wants to improve health and well-being before, during, and after pregnancy. This is done by encouraging healthy behaviors before becoming pregnant, giving people information and resources to stay healthy during pregnancy, and making sure people have access to support after pregnancy.
Pregnancy Loss Support
People experiencing a pregnancy or infant loss need spaces to process grief and address their mental health. Pregnancy loss is strongly linked to depression, anxiety, perinatal grief, and prolonged emotional distress, including guilt, anger, and isolation. Empty Arms Vermont provides peer support to individuals and families whose babies have died through miscarriage, stillbirth, early infant death (within the first year of infancy), or termination for medical reasons. They can help families connect to mental health services when additional care may be helpful.
In Vermont, you can receive WIC up to six months after a pregnancy loss, providing healthy foods, nutrition support and helpful referrals during the healing process. To enroll or continue receiving WIC benefits after a loss, contact your Local Vermont WIC Office.
