WIC Services for Pregnant, Breastfeeding or Post-Partum Women

Women who are eligible for WIC services are certified according to their category (see How WIC Works). At certification appointments, a woman's health is assessed by the nurse. She will be weighed, measured, and have her hemoglobin tested. The nutritional status will be assessed by the WIC nutritionist. She will be asked to complete a 24 hour diet recall and a food frequency list. The nutritionist will then suggest ways in which the woman might improve her nutritional status.

The food package which the woman receives includes eggs, peanut butter or dried beans or peas, milk, cheese, fruit juice and iron-fortified cereal. These nutritious foods are provided by the WIC program in an effort to improve the birthing outcomes for women.

Nutrition sessions, whether they are individual or group, are designed to address the nutritional risk of the woman. They include information on calcium, iron, fruits, vegetables and etc. Food demonstrations are provided monthly by the certified health professionals.