Where To Find Services For Family Planning In Houston

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In this community resource guide, you will learn about multiple family planning programs that are available in Houston.  Family planning services consist of birth control, reproductive life planning and other services. Continue reading to learn more about Houston family planning programs in the area. 

Family Planning In Houston – Map 

Below you will find a map of many options for family planning in Houston. Locate your home on the map to learn more about family planning services near you. 

Be sure to click on each blue map plot to learn more information about all the family planning clinics on this map. 

Different Family Planning Clinics In Houston

You can use this guide to find family planning services in two different ways; the first is using the map above. The second way is referring to the listing of agencies below.

Each of the following agencies offers family planning at little to no cost to you. Healthy Texas Women’s Plan is accepted at all of the clinics in this guide. If you do not Healthy Texas Women’s Plan, Medicaid or any other type of insurance you can still be seen at each of these clinics because they do not turn anyone away. 

The first agency we’ll start with is the City of Houston’s Health Department. 

City of Houston – Family Planning Clinics In Houston 

The City of Houston offers Family Planning services at 4 of its Health Centers.

You must call 832.393.5428 and make an appointment for services because each clinic operates on different days and times. We’ve provided days and times for each location in this section.

The City of Houston does not deny anyone. A lack of insurance or income will not prevent you from receiving services.

Another thing to note is teens do not need their parent’s consent to receive family planning services.

City of Houston Health Centers

Northside Health Center – 8504 Schuller Road Houston, TX 77093 – 832.393.5428 

Hours:  Monday  – 8:30 am to 6 pm. Tuesday – Thursday –  7:30 am to 4:30pm. Second Wednesday of each month 7 am to 11 am only. Friday – 7:30 am to 12 pm. Closed Saturday and Sundays.

La Nueva Casa de Amigos Health Center – 1809 N. Main Street, Houston, TX 77009 – 832.393.5428

Hours: Mondays – 8:30 am and 1:30 pm sessions. Tuesday and Thursdays – Morning sessions begin at 7:30 am and afternoon sessions at 12:30 pm.

Sharpstown Health Center – 6201 Bonhomme (3rd Floor), Houston, TX 77036 – 832.393.5428

Hours: Wednesday – Morning sessions begin at 8 am and afternoon sessions 1 pm. Fridays – Morning sessions begin at 8 am.

Sunnyside Health Center – 4605 Wilmington Street, Houston, TX 77051 – 832.393.5428 

Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays – Morning sessions only. Tuesday and Thursdays – Morning and afternoon sessions.

Planned Parenthood – Family Planning In Houston 

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s largest provider of sex education. In addition to this, they also offer many medical services. Below is a list of services offered at their clinics:

• Abortion Referrals
• Birth Control
• General Health Care
• HIV Testing
• Men’s Health Care
• Morning-After Pill and Emergency Contraception
• Pregnancy Testing and Services
• STD Testing, Treatment, and Vaccines
• Women’s Health Care

Planned Parenthood Locations In Houston 

Northville (West Rd) – 9919 North Freeway Service Road, Suite 107, Houston, TX 77037 – 713.494.7435

Northwest Health Center (290) – 13169 Northwest Freeway, Suite 115, Houston, TX 77040 – 713.514.1107

Stafford Health Center (59 and Kirkwood) – 12614 Southwest Freeway, Suite A, Stafford, TX 77477 – 713.494.7435

Prevention Park (near University of Houston) – 4600 Gulf Freeway Suite 100, Houston, TX 77023 – 713.522.3976

Legacy Community Health – Family Planning In Houston

Legacy is another option for family planning in Houston. They offer reproductive health and family planning classes to clients. Family planning workshops welcome both fathers and mothers. Some of the topics that are discussed include:

• Preconception Health
• Reproductive Life Planning
• Birth Control Methods
• Other Family Planning Related Issues

Legacy Community Health Locations

• Legacy Baker Ripley Clinic – 6500 Rookin Street, Suite 200 – Houston, TX 77074 – 832.548.500
• Legacy Lyons Clinic – 3811 Lyons Avenue, Houston, TX 77020 – 832.548.5000
• Legacy Montrose Clinic – 1415 California Street, Houston, TX 77006 – 832.548.5100
• Legacy Mapleridge Clinic – 6550  Mapleridge Street, Houston, TX 77081 – 832.548.5000 or 713.779.7200
• Legacy San Jacinto Clinic – 4301 Garth Road, Baytown, TX 77521 – 832.548.5000 or 281.420.8400

Harris Health System – Family Planning In Houston

Harris Health System offers its patients services like primary care as well as family planning in Houston.

In addition to family planning, you can also receive related services like Health Texas Women’s Program and Breast & Cervical Cancer Services.

Harris Health System Locations

Below you will find each Harris Health location that offers family planning services.

• Smith Clinic – 2525 Holly Hall Street, Suite A, Houston, TX 77054 – 713.566.3600
• Casa De Amigos – 1615 N. Main Street, Houston, TX 77009 – 713.222.2272
• Gulfgate – 7550 Office City Drive, Houston, TX 77012 – 713.495.3700
• MLK Swingle Clinic – 3550 Swingle Road, Houston, TX 77047 – 713.547.1000
• LBJ Hospital Outpatient Clinic – 5550 Kelly Street, Houston, TX 77026 – 713.566.4858
• NW Clinic – 1100 W 34th Street, Houston, TX 77018 – 713.861.3939
• Vallbona Clinic – 6630 DeMoss Street, Houston, TX 77074 – 713.272.2600
• Settegast Clinic – 9105 N. Wayside Drive, Houston, TX 77088 – 713.633.2020
• Strawberry Clinic – 927 E. Shaw Avenue, Pasadena, TX 77506 – 713.982.5900 
• El Franco Lee Clinic – 8901 Boone Road, Houston, TX 77099 – 281.454.0500
• Aldine Health Center – 4755 Aldine Mail Route, Houston, TX 77039 – 281.985.7600
• Squatty Lyons – 1712 First Street, Suite M-20, Humble, TX 77338 – 281.446.4139
• Baytown Health Center – 1602 Garth Road, Baytown, TX 77520 – 281.837.2700
• Acres Homes Health Center – 818 Ringold Street, Houston, TX 77088 – 281.448.6391

How To Apply For Harris Health / Gold Card

In order to receive family planning services at Harris Health, you will need to go through their eligibility process.

To start this process you can call Harris Health at 713.566.6509 or refer to our article How To Apply For Harris Health/Gold Card.

Harris County Public Health Department – Family Planning In Houston 

Harris County Public Health offers low-cost family planning services to the community. Those family planning services include the following:

• Male and female condoms
• Oral Contraceptive Pills
• Depo – Provera Injections
• Vaginal Hormonal Ring (NuvaRing)
• Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives – Intrauterine Device (IUD), Contraceptive Implant (Nexplanon)
• Pregnancy Testing For Non-Eligible Grant Recipients
• Spermicidal Foam And Jelly

Harris County Public Health Locations 

Here are the Harris County Public Health locations in the Houston area.

• Humble Clinic – 1730 Humble Place Drive, Humble, TX 77338 – 281.446.4222
• Baytown Clinic – 1000 Lee Drive, Baytown, TX 77520 – 281.427.5195
• Pasadena Clinic – 3737 Red Bluff Road, Pasadena, TX 77503 – 713.407.5800 or 713.740.5000
• Antoine Clinic – 5815 Antoine Drive, Suite A – 713.602.3300

How To Apply For Harris County Public Health Services

To apply for HCPH you need to call the appointment line at 713.212.6800.

Teen Health Clinics – Family Planning In Houston 

In this section, you will find a listing of teen clinics that offer services related to family planning in Houston.

These clinics are located at schools, hospitals, and community clinics. The priority population for these clinics is teenagers. Despite this, some clinics do see clients up to the age of 24.

Definitely call prior to your visit, but generally speaking, there is a greater chance that you will qualify for services at one of the other clinics listed on this resource. 

Most teens clinics offer the following services:

• Birth Control
• STD Testing
• Pregnancy Testing
• Immunizations
• Wellness Exams
• Health Education
• Counseling

Teen Health Clinic Locations

• Cullen Teen Clinic – 5737 Cullen, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77021 – 713.440.7313
• Ben Taub Teen Clinic – 1504 Taub Loop, Houston, TX 77030 – 713.873.3601
• Worthing High School Teen Clinic – 9215 Scott Street, Houston, TX 77051 – 281.394.0528
• Chavez High School Teen Clinic – 8501 Howard, Houston, TX 77017 – 713.495.6950
• Sterling High School Teen Clinic – 11625 Martin Dale Road Houston, TX 77048 – 713.955.6071
• Margaret Long Wisdom High School Teen Clinic – 6529 Beverly Hill Lane Houston, TX 77057 – 713.787.1700 
• Tejano Center – 2950 Broadway Street, Houston, TX 77017 – 713.640.3730 – Open to the students at Raul Yzaguirre School for Success as well as the community (13 – 24 years old).
• Cavalcade Community Center – 3815 Cavalcade Houston, TX 77026 – 713.675.0004 – Mon – Thur 8 am to 6:30 pm
• LBJ Hospital Teen Clinic – 5656 Kelly Street, Houston, TX 77026 – 713.566.5100 
• Lawn Teen Clinic – 8111 Lawn Street, Houston, TX 77088 – 281.847.9970 – Services for males and females 13 – 23 years old. 

Conclusion 

Regardless of your income or health insurance, there are clinics to help you with birth control, condoms, and protecting yourself in general.

If you have questions about family planning, contact any of the agencies above because they can help.

 

How the Houston Pregnancy Help Center Works

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An unplanned pregnancy can lead to a whole host of emotions like uncertainty, fear and frustration.

When making any decision, especially one related to pregnancy, you want to have the facts of the situations, know your options and be supported. At the Houston Pregnancy Help Center you receive all this and more.

In this article I’ll talk about a resources that provides free pregnancy testing among other services to potential parents.

After reading this post you will understand the following:

• What the Houston Pregnancy Help Center does
• The services offered 
• What your options are
• Where the Help Centers are located

What is the Houston Pregnancy Help Center?

The Houston Pregnancy Help Center is an agency that provides FREE services to potential parents who are faced with a pregnancy-related crisis. The primary service that they provide are the free pregnancy tests although there are other ways that the clinics helps. We’ll get into those services later in this article.

What services does the Houston Pregnancy Help Center offer?

You can visit either one of the Houston Pregnancy Help Centers and receive the following services on-site:

• Free pregnancy testing
• Confirmation of pregnancy
• Pregnancy support
• Adoption advice
• Counseling services
• Medical, housing and legal referrals
• Case Management
• Classes related to childbirth and parenting
• Fatherhood classes as well
• Man to Man mentoring
• Limited emergency assistance

One service that the Pregnancy Help Center does not offers is abortion procedures or referrals for abortions.

Helpling you to evaluate your pregnancy options

If you receive a positive pregnancy test the Houston Pregnancy Help Center can help you to evaluate all your options. Those options include:

• Continue the pregnancy
• Adoption
• Abortion

Continue the Pregnancy

If you choose to continue your pregnancy the Houston Pregnancy Help Center can help you with services like parenting classes, case management and referrals to outside agencies.

Adoption

Adoption is another option after a pregnancy has been confirmed. Some choose to put the child up for adoption as opposed to abortion. If you are interested in learning more about the adoption process, the Houston Pregnancy Help Center can provide guidance.

Abortion

The last option is abortion. While the HPHC does not provide abortions or referrals to abortion clincis, they can offer you information to help you better understand this option.

The Pregnancy Help Center will explain how the procedure works as well as inform you of physical effects as well as psychological effects. If you are considering this abortion the Help Center can help you to fully understand this option.

How do you schedule an appointment with Houston Pregnancy Help Center?

There are two ways to schedule an appointment:

• Walk-Ins
• Call for an appointment

Walk-In appointments with Houston Pregnancy Help Center

No appointments are necessary with the HPHC.  You can walk-in to either of the Help Centers for an appointment as long as you arrive at least 1 hour to closing.

Call for an appointment with Houston Pregnancy Help Center

You can also call either HPHC to schedule an appointment. This option is recommended over the walk-in.

In the next section we will provide you with numbers to both Help Centers.

Where are the Houston Pregnancy Help Centers located?

There are two different Houston Pregnancy Help Centers; one is located in “Downtown” Houston, the other in 5th Ward.

Here is more information about both locations.

Downtown Houston Pregnancy Help Center

Despite the website stating this is the “downtown” location it’s actually located in the midtown neighborhood, directly across the street from Houston Community College. The closest major intersection is San Jacinto and Alabama St. The address is 3636 San Jacinto, Houston, TX 77004.

Business hours are Monday through Thursday from  8 am to 3 pm. On Friday’s they are open 8 am to 1 pm. Saturdays the clinic is open from 9 am to 12 pm.

You can learn more about their clinic by visiting the website or calling them at 713.942.2100.

5th Ward Houston Pregnancy Help Center

This clinic is located in the 5th Ward neighborhood. The closest major intersection is Lyons Avenue and Lockwood Drive. The address is 743 Shotwell Houston, TX 77020.

Business hours are Monday through Thursday 8:30 am to 4 pm. Friday’s the clinic is open 8:30 am to 2 pm.

For more information visit their website or call them at 713.675.2800.

Conclusion

Whether planned or unplanned a pregnancy forces you to make important decisions very quickly.

If you are dealing with a pregnancy related crisis and you are unsure of your options and need support the Houston Pregnancy Help Center can help you.

To make an appointment with the Downtown Help Center visit their location or call them at 713.942.2100. For the 5th Ward Help Center you can call them at 713.675.2800. 

You can also find more information on their website at FreePregnancyTest.com.

Are you a parent? Knowing what you know today would you rasie your child differently? What can expecting parents learn from your experiences? Tell us about it in the comments below. 

Birthing Centers In Houston: A Mama Bear’s Guide To Planning For Her Delivery

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Having a baby can be both one of the happiest and most stressful days of your life.

Simply visiting a doctor’s office for routine bloodwork is a frightening experience for me (don’t judge me) so I can imagine how intimidating a hospital might be for expecting mothers.

It’s fears like these lead to the creation of birthing centers.

In this article, I will share a listing of Houston birthing centers with you as well as discuss the following:.

• What is a Birthing Center?
• Who works at a birthing center?
• Are birthing centers safe?
• Who should consider Birthing Centers?
• Cost of having a child at a Birthing Center vs hospital
• Where you can find Birthing Centers in Houston?

If you’re ready, put on your plastic gloves, surgical mask and continue reading as we first learn what is a birthing center?

What is a Birthing Center? 

A birthing center is a healthcare facility that specializes in childbirth.

Think of a birthing center as a home that can deliver your baby.  Birthing centers offer a more cozy environment than a hospital labor ward. At the birthing center’s mothers have more options like food, drinks, music, even having family and friends there for support.

Birth centers can also include queen size beds, birthing tubs, or showers for water births. At birthing centers mother are encouraged to be themselves by squatting, walking, or even shaking their groove thing to  “the Wobble” to help the labor process along.

Birthing centers also have shorter stays than hospitals. A mother can deliver her child and both be back home only 6 hours after birth.

Who Works at a Birthing Center? 

Birthing centers are typically staffed by nurse-midwives, midwives, doulas, and coaches. Here is a description of each. 

• The certified nurse-midwive is (CNM) is the head honcho of the group and functions as your primary healthcare provider during childbirth. As long as the pregnancy is not “high risk” the CNM can deliver your baby. Pregnancies that are considered “high risk” must involve a physician and always take place at a hospital.
• A midwife also works at a birthing center. There role is to assist in the delivery of your baby. Midwives can deliver babies in high-risk situations like breech births, twin births, or posterior positions.  The difference between a CNM and Midwife is the CNM also has a nursing degree. Some states require birthing centers to have CNMs, Texas is one.
• A doula is birth companion or birth coach. A doula is a non-medical position. Their primary role is to provide emotional and physical support to mothers in labor.

Are Birthing Centers Safe? 

Birthing Center’s are safe. In fact, childbirth in the United States is safe regardless of where you have your baby at.

That being said a recent study stated that babies born at Birthing Center’s were twice as likely to die as babies born in hospitals. Of every 1000 babies born at birthing centers, 3.9 died. At hospitals, 1.8 babies out of every 1000 died.

Overall birthing centers are safe, although they are not mini-hospitals which is why “high risk” pregnancies must be carried out at hospitals.

In the next section, we’ll discuss why birthing centers cannot accommodate “high-risk” pregnancies.

Who Should Consider These Facilities?

Only women who have “low risk” pregnancies should consider birthing centers.

Again these facilities are not hospitals. If you are planning on having a c-section birth a birthing center isn’t for you because they’re not equipped for that procedure.

Birthing centers are equipped with IVs, oxygen, medication, and even infant resuscitation equipment. Should there be in complications during labor these pieces of equipment can keep you and your baby safe while you are transported to a hospital for help.

As much comfort as a birthing center provides it should only be an option for you if you have a “low risk” pregnancy.

Cost of a Birthing Center vs a Hospital 

Birthing centers are a lot less expensive than hospitals.

Here are stats from a report titled The Cost of Having a Baby in the United States: 

The average private insurance will pay hospitals $9,759 for a vaginal birth and $17,140 for a cesarean birth. Medicaid pays less at $4,492 per vaginal birth and $7,722 for cesarean births.

Compare those numbers to a price tag of $2,277 for a vaginal birth at a birthing center.

Birthing center are able to charge less for birth for two reasons; lower hospital fees and limited medical procedures. Birthing centers do charge fees but not nearly at the rate of hospitals. Also, remember birthing centers aren’t equipped to perform cesarean births or use anesthesia.

Birthing Centers in Houston

Here is a list of birthing centers in Houston. Below you will find some regular hospitals mixed in with birthing centers. If you only seek birthing centers, look for those words in the title.

Also, there are two Houston birthing centers that accept Medicaid. Those locations are North Houston Birth Center and Rite of Passage Birth Center. 

• AnyaDoula – Houston area doula with more than 15 years of experience  OB/GYN Nursing experience – Phone: 346.708.2444  Email: Anya@AnyaDoula.com
• Bay Area Birth Center – 3210 Strawberry Rd Pasadena, TX 77504  713.472.5525
• The Birthing Place –  2218 Barbee St, Houston, TX 77004 713.643.9433
• Cy-Fair Birth Center – 12850 Jones Road, Suite 105 Houston, TX 77070  281.469.0093
• HomeBirth Experience – 3311 Richmond Ave #214 Houston, TX 77098 281.309.8030
• St John – Houston Methodist Childbirth Center  – 18300 St John Dr, Nassau Bay, TX 77058  281.523.2229
• Sugar Land – Houston Methodist Childbirth Center  – 16655 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77479 281.274.7080
• West – Houston Methodist Childbirth Center  – 18500 Katy Fwy, 4th Floor Houston, TX 77094 832.522.4200
• Willowbrook – Houston Methodist Childbirth Center  – 18220 TX-249 2nd Floor, Houston, TX 77070 281.737.2500
• Katy Birth Center – 1002 Avenue A, Katy, TX 77493 832.437.5876
• North Houston Birth Center –  7007 North Freeway, Suite 435 Houston, TX 77076 713.699.4211 – Accepts Medicaid
• Reunion Womens Health and Birth Center – 201 Kingwood Medical Dr. Kingwood, TX 77339 281.359.2229
• Rite of Passage Womens Health & Birth Center – 2302 County Rd 124, Pearland, TX 77581 281.993.4028 – Accepts Medicaid
• Texas Childrens Pavilion for Women – 6651 S. Main St, Houston, TX 77030 832.826.3000
• Wellspring Midwifery Care and Birth Center – 794 Russell Palmer Rd, Kingwood, TX 77339 832.777.0291
• West Houston Birth Center –  11321 Richmond Ave, Suite M100 Houston, TX 77082 281.245.0209
• Women’s Center at Childrens Memorial Hermann –  6411 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030 713.704.5437
• Women’s Health and Birth Center – 2401 Rice Blvd Houston, TX 77005  713.529.5131

Conclusion

Having a child can be scary and overwhelming.

Its a life-changing event that comes with lots of decisions. Researching and preparing yourself for this experience is the best way to calm yourself. Reach out to family members, ask your doctor questions, call Anya Doula for advice, or take a tour at a birth center. No amount of preparation will completely rid you of your anxieties, but the more you do research like this and speak to healthcare professionals about your concerns the more at ease you will be with the childbirth process. 

All the best to you and your baby during your pregnancy!