Pregnancy

The term embryo refers to a developing human from conception until the eighth week. An embryo becomes a fetus after the eighth week. Embryo and fetal ages in this brochure are listed from both the estimated date of conception and from the first day of the last normal menstrual period. Fetal lengths are measured from the top of the head to the rump.

Visit the below resources to learn about pregnancy and childbirth assistance, medical and financial help, adoption, and more.

Pregnancy Risks

Although every pregnancy has some risk of problems, continuing a pregnancy and delivering a baby is usually a safe, healthy process. Based on data from the CDC, the mortality rate in Louisiana for 2018-2022 was 37.3 per 100,000 live births, significantly higher than the national average of 23.2 per 100,000 live births.

One out of 8,475 women dies from pregnancy complications. The most common causes of death for pregnant women are:

  • Emboli (blood clots affecting the heart and brain);
  • Eclampsia (high blood pressure complications affecting pregnancy);
  • Heavy bleeding (Hemorrhaging);
  • Sepsis (severe infection);
  • Cerebral vascular accidents (stroke, bleeding in the brain); and
  • Anesthesia-related deaths.

Altogether, these causes account for 80 percent of all deaths relating to a woman’s pregnancy. Unknown or uncommon causes account for the remaining 20 percent of deaths related to pregnancy. Women who have chronic severe diseases are at greater risk of death than healthy women.

Continuing your pregnancy also includes a risk of experiencing complications that are not always life-threatening.

  • Approximately 15 to 20 of every 100 pregnant women require Caesarean delivery (C-section).
  • One in 10 women may develop infection during or after delivery.
  • About one in 20 pregnant women has blood pressure problems.
  • One in 20 women suffer from excessive blood loss at delivery.

Labor is when a pregnant woman’s uterus contracts and pushes or delivers the baby from her body. The baby may be delivered through the woman’s vagina or by cesarean section. A Cesarean section is a surgical procedure.

Possible side effects and risks associated with vaginal delivery
  • Injury to the bladder or rectum;
  • A hole (fistula) between the bladder and vagina or the rectum and vagina;
  • Heavy bleeding (hemorrhaging);
  • Inability to get pregnant in the future due to infection or complication from an operation;
  • Emergency treatment for any of the above problems, including the possible need to treat with an operation, medicines or blood transfusion; and
  • Rarely, death.
Possible side effects and risks associated with Cesarean delivery (C-section)
  • Injury to the bowel or bladder;
  • Inability to get pregnant in the future due to infection or complication from an operation;
  • Heavy bleeding (hemorrhaging);
  • Injury to the tube (ureter) between the kidney and bladder;
  • A possible hysterectomy as a result of complication or injury during the procedure;
  • Complications from anesthesia such as respiratory problems, headaches or drug reactions;
  • Emergency treatment for any of the above problems, including the possible need to treat with an operation, medicines or a blood transfusion; and
  • Rarely, death.

Genetic Abnormalities

Act 563 of the Louisiana Legislature designates the Louisiana Department of Health as the agency to provide resources, programs, and services for pregnant women who have a diagnosis of fetal genetic abnormality and resources, programs, and services for infants and children born with disabilities. These resources are available for requesting providers of women’s health care services and are maintained on this website through the links below.

Resources for pregnant women who have a diagnosis of fetal genetic abnormality

The Louisiana Genetics Program offers the following resources:

Resources for infants and children born with disabilities

Children’s Special Health Services (CSHS) ensures that children and youth who have special health care needs in Louisiana have access to health care services designed to minimize their disabilities and maximize their probabilities of enjoying independent and self-sufficient lives. The website contains:

  • Resources for families
  • Resources for health care providers
  • Publications

EarlySteps provides services to families with infants and toddlers aged birth to three years (36 months) who have a medical condition likely to result in a developmental delay, or who have developmental delays.

Emotional Reactions

After the birth of a baby, women often feel a number of powerful emotions. Many new moms experience baby blues following childbirth, which commonly include mood swings and crying spells. Typically, the symptoms of baby blues fade quickly, within a few days or weeks. Most women find that the best treatment for baby blue is reassurance, support from family and friends, rest and time.

Some new moms experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression. At first, postpartum depression may feel a lot like baby blues, but eventually it interferes with a mother’s ability to care for her baby and handle other daily tasks. The Mayo Clinic recommends calling your doctor if the signs and symptoms of depression:

  • Don’t fade after two weeks;
  • Are getting worse;
  • Make it hard for you to care for your baby;
  • Make it hard to complete everyday tasks; and/or
  • Include thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.

Rights & Resources

If you decide to place your baby up for adoption or need to locate public or private agencies that offer medical and financial help, as well as counseling services, use the contact information below.

By calling or visiting the agencies and offices listed on the website, you can learn your options, including adoption, and the kinds of assistance available to help you through pregnancy, childbirth and while you are raising your child.

Furthermore, you should know:

  • You can't be forced.
    • Minors: It is unlawful for anyone to make you have an abortionl, even if you are a minor. In fact, forcing anyoneto have an abortion is a crime. If you are a minor being forced into making a particular decision, you can report it to the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) at www.dcfs.state.la.us or by calling the Child Protection Hotline at 855-4LA-KIDS (855-452-5437). The call is free and the hotline operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. 
    • Adults: It is against the law, regardless of the person's relationship with you, to force you to have an abortion. You have the right to contact any local or state law enforcement agency to receive protection from any actual or threatened violence or coercion.
  • You and the father. The father of your child must provide support for the child,. DCFS can help you locate your child's father and determine whether he is the father. DCFS can also help establish and enforce child support orders and collection, as well as distribution of child support payments. To learn more about Child Enforcement Services, visit www.dcfs.la.gov or call the customer service center at 1-888-LAHELPU (1-888-524-3578). 
  • You and adoption. The law allows adoptive parents to pay costs of prenatal care, childbirth and newborn care. To learn more about adoption services and the organizations available to assist you, visit the Child Welfare Information Gateweay.
  • You are not alone. Many agencies are willing to help you carry your child to term and to assist after your child’s birth. This includes access to health care services for mother and baby, supplies, healthy food items, nutrition education and in-home support.

Medical Care & Assistance

Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health

  • Connects women and their families to health and pregnancy resources, services and information.
  • 24/7 Helpline 1-800-251-BABY(2229)
Learn more

Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health, Parish Health Units

  • Parish Health Units provide a wide range of health services, including but not limited to:
    • Pregnancy testing
    • WIC services
    • Family planning
Learn more

Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health, WIC (Women, Infants, & Children)

  • WIC is a special supplemental food program that provides:
    • Nutritious foods
    • Nutrition information
    • Breastfeeding promotion
    • Breastfeeding support
    • Referrals to other health and social services
Learn more

Louisiana 988

  • The 988 helpline provides emergency emotional support to Louisiana residents.
  • Anyone who reaches out to 988 in Louisiana will be immediately connected to 988 specialists at local call centers who will listen, provide support, and connect you with local resources. The helpline is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Learn more

Get More Information

Abortion Alternatives Hotline

866-729-1788

Call Us

504-568-5330

Email Us

DHH-BFHBusinessSupport@la.gov

Contact Us

Submit Online Form

Did
You
Know?

By twenty weeks gestation, the unborn child has the physical structures necessary to experience pain. There is evidence that by twenty weeks gestation unborn children seek to evade certain stimuli in a manner which in an infant or an adult would be interpreted to be a response to pain. Anesthesia is routinely administered to unborn children who are twenty weeks gestational age or older who undergo prenatal surgery.

Surgeon General Ralph L. Abraham, M.D.

Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein

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