Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health

The Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health (MCAH) Program supports the health and well-being of women, infants, children, and adolescents in Sierra County.

We provide:

  • Assistance accessing prenatal and postpartum care
  • Education and support for healthy pregnancies and babies
  • Referrals to county and state health and social services
  • Resources for safe sleep, family planning, substance use during pregnancy, and more

Our goal is to improve outcomes across the lifespan—starting before pregnancy and continuing through early adulthood.

What is Preconception Health?

Preconception health refers to a person's health before becoming pregnant. This includes things like:

  • Managing chronic health conditions
  • Eating healthy and staying active
  • Avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and other harmful substances
  • Getting regular medical and dental care

The health of both women and men before conception can impact fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and a child’s future health.

Why is Health Before Pregnancy Important?

  • Most major birth defects occur early in pregnancy—often before a woman knows she is pregnant.
  • 85% of women in the U.S. will become pregnant at some point, making good health before pregnancy important for many.
  • A healthy start improves chances for a healthy pregnancy, healthy baby, and healthy future.

What About Men?

Men's health also plays a role in healthy pregnancies and healthy families. Men's lifestyle choices, medications, and health conditions can affect:

  • Fertility
  • Sperm quality
  • The health of a future pregnancy

Encouraging healthy habits in both partners before conception supports better outcomes.

Safe Sleep & Reducing SIDS Risk

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death for infants aged 1 month to 1 year.

While we don’t fully understand what causes SIDS, we do know how to reduce the risk:

Safe Sleep Guidelines:

  • Always place babies on their backs to sleep
  • Use a firm, flat sleep surface (like a safety-approved crib)
  • Keep baby’s sleep area free of soft objects, toys, and loose bedding
  • Share a room with your baby, but not a bed
  • Breastfeed, if possible
  • Offer a pacifier at nap time and bedtime
  • Keep baby’s environment smoke-free
  • Avoid overheating or over-bundling
  • Stay up to date on infant immunizations

These practices are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and can help reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths (SUID).

Resources

California Department of Public Health

SIDS Information for Parents & Caregivers

Every Woman Counts California

Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby Video

Marijuana Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Sierra County Resource Guide