My Baby and Me
The My Baby and Me Infant Passport Program was created at St. Michael’s Hospital in 2005 in response to a need for coordinated care for young, precariously housed pregnant women. Consistent prenatal care has been shown to improve the health of both mothers and newborns; however, barriers and obstacles may make comprehensive care for many people difficult. The My Baby and Me program aims to tackle some of these barriers by increasing access not only to prenatal care but also to community services.
Since its inception, the My Baby and Me program has continuously evolved to meet community needs. In 2014, the passport booklet (a portable booklet containing a mini-health record, information and resources) underwent a transformation in both design and content to be more relevant for users. In 2016, a smartphone app was created as a digital option for patients that went on to receive global recognition. In 2018, the program was adapted to meet the needs of not only women experiencing housing insecurity, but also for newcomers and refugees who need support navigating a new health care and social service system. In its most recent evolution in 2021, St. Michael’s has launched the My Baby and Me drop-in prenatal clinic for women using substances in pregnancy. This clinic provides a non-judgmental, flexible, and trauma-informed model of care that embraces a harm-reduction philosophy. The My Baby and Me clinic provides a “one-stop shop” for pregnant women who struggle with accessing traditional health care services; allowing them to access both prenatal and addiction services, as well as social work and community outreach support in one visit. The program aims to increase access to prenatal care and create comprehensive care pathways that meet families’ unique needs.
Donations to the My Baby and Me program support both practical needs for women such as TTC passes, meal and food vouchers, maternity and baby supplies, and harm reduction supplies; as well as programmatic needs such as program evaluation and improvement and the funding of a community outreach worker who helps women navigate complicated health care and social service systems.