Pregnancy Passport
>> For Providers

Benefits to providers

• Provides a tool and opportunity for consistent prematurity and high risk conditions patient education
• Is a quick and easy way to provide patients with important test results
• Allows immediate access to medical information in emergency situations
• Improves ability to provide the highest quality prenatal care

Benefits to clients

• Provides a short, straightforward reference for important medical information, including preterm labor signs
• Gives women a greater sense of empowerment and involvement in their prenatal care
• Can be used as a: medical record in case of emergency; reference during the initial pediatric visit, pregnancy history reference for future pregnancies, and keepsake

How to use the Pregnancy Passport

Provider feedback suggests that the best method of distributing the Pregnancy Passport is by:

• Giving clients a Pregnancy Passport after their initial lab results have come back so that these can be recorded immediately
• Asking for the client’s Pregnancy Passport upon arrival at subsequent visits and clipping it to the front of her chart to be updated or discussed as needed

When giving out a Pregnancy Passport:

At the initial visit:

• Introduce the Pregnancy Passport and how to use it. Click here to see a sample 3 minute introduction script.
• Encourage the client to carry her Passport at all times in case of an emergency (for example, keep it in her purse)
• Document that a Passport was given on the client's medical chart
• Enter initial prenatal labresults if available

At later visits:

• Enter the prenatal lab and test results
• Discuss preterm labor, warning signs of pregnancy and what to do in case of an emergency
• Discuss counting fetal movements and give the client a record sheet to keep track of movements
• Remind the client to bring her Passport to all appointments and hospital visits, planned and unplanned

UCSD Healthcare’s role

• As a leader in research and patient care, UCSD Healthcare agreed to be the one-year pilot site for the program, though March 2004.
• Providers and patients gave valuable feedback about the program through surveys, interviews and focus groups,
• UCSD continues to participate in the program as it expands to new clinic sites around San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Program expansion

• The Pregnancy Passport program is currently seeking new healthcare partners to participate in the expansion of the program throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties.
• If you are interested in becoming a partner or have questions about the program, please contact Regional Perinatal System at 858-536-5090.

If you are a provider using the Pregnancy Passport, please take this opporunity to tell us what you think about the program. If you are interested in filling out an on-line survey, please click here.