Pregnancy and women’s health

There are several important steps you can take to stay healthy and strong throughout your life:

• Going to your doctor and dentist regularly
• Keeping vaccines up to date
• Protecting yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Planning for or preventing an unwanted pregnancy
• Avoiding tobacco and alcohol
• Staying active
• Eating healthy

Health A to Z (Healthwise)

• Women's health
• Birth control
• Zika virus
• Breast self-examination
• Quitting smoking
• Pap tests
• Alcohol or drug use during pregnancy
• Immunizations
• Healthy Eating Tips
• Fitness: Getting and staying active
• How ready are you to quit smoking?
• What is your stress level?
• Is drinking getting in the way?
• Are you depressed?

Helpful resources

• Learn more about women’s reproductive health at https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth.
• Decision in recovery: Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
• Smoke free for women
• National Tobacco Quit Line: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357

If you’re thinking about having a baby, there are steps you can take to stay healthy before, during and after pregnancy. These steps will help you have a healthy baby, too!

Before you become pregnant, talk with your doctor about:

• Planning to start a family
• Avoiding tobacco and alcohol
• Taking medications safely
• Taking folic acid
• Making sure your vaccines are up to date
• Staying active
• Eating healthy

Health A to Z (Healthwise)

• Women's health
• Preparing for a healthy pregnancy
• Zika virus
• Breast self-examination
• Quitting smoking
• Pap tests
• Drug withdrawal in newborns (Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome)
• Pregnancy and Diabetes: Planning for pregnancy
• Obesity and pregnancy
• Immunizations and pregnancy
• Alcohol or drug use during pregnancy

Helpful resources

• Preconception health and health care
• Show your love! Steps to a healthier me and baby-to-be
• Decision in recovery: Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
• Show your love! Preconception health care app [itunes link] [Google Play link]
• Smoke free for women
• National Tobacco Quit Line: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357

Congratulations! This is an exciting time for you. There are many things you can do to make sure you and your baby stay strong and healthy.

Once you find out you’re pregnant, what are your next steps?

Schedule an appointment with your OB provider.
Prenatal care is very important for you and your baby. Your doctor will ask you questions about your health, do a physical exam, tell you your baby’s due date, and give you the information you and your baby need to stay healthy.

Who is your OB provider? If you don’t have one, you can call us at 1-844-396-2329 (TTY 711), and we can help you find a provider near you.

Take care of you.
Eating healthy foods, staying active and avoiding tobacco and alcohol can help you stay healthy during and after pregnancy.

Complete an OB health screener.
This screener helps us make sure we’re helping you get the care and support you need throughout your pregnancy. Call 1-844-521-6941 to complete our OB health screener.

Chat with your OB Case Manager.
Call us to learn about our New Baby, New Life^SM program. We can help you find resources to help you take care of yourself so you can take care of your baby. Call 1-844-396-2329 (TTY 711) to learn more.

Healthy rewards

You may be eligible to earn rewards for attending your prenatal and postpartum appointments. To enroll in our Healthy Rewards program, visit the Benefit Reward Hub or call 888-990-8681 (TTY 711).

Health A to Z (Healthwise)

• First trimester exams and tests
• Pregnancy: Prenatal exam schedule
• Second trimester exams and tests
• Third trimester exams and tests
• Preeclampsia
• Gestational diabetes
• Preterm labor
• Alcohol or drug use during pregnancy
• Drug withdrawal in newborns (Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome)
• Pregnancy: Dealing with morning sickness
• Nausea or vomiting during pregnancy
• HIV and pregnancy
• Depression during pregnancy
• Immunizations and pregnancy
• From embryo to baby in 9 months

Helpful Resources

• March of Dimes
• Text 4Baby
• Smoke free for women
• National Tobacco Quit Line: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357

You may be eligible for WIC benefits. Visit the WIC website to learn more.

Congratulations! Being a new mother is an exciting time, but motherhood can bring some challenges you might not have expected. You may have questions about how to keep yourself and your baby healthy.

Besides talking with your doctor, there are many resources available to help keep you healthy, both physically and emotionally. There are also many resources to help you make sure your baby is safe, happy and healthy.

Health A to Z (Healthwise)

• Baby’s daily needs: What to expect
• Breastfeeding
• Child car seats
• Newborn growth and development
• Postpartum: First six weeks after childbirth
• Managing postpartum depression
• Crib safety
• Childhood immunizations

Helpful Resources

Need help getting a breast pump?  Call Member Services at 1-844-396-2329 to speak with a case manager.

If you have not already enrolled in WIC, visit the WIC website to learn more or call 1-800-863-8942. WIC can assist you with breastfeeding support.

For more information or support with breastfeeding:

• Visit La Leche or call the La Leche League Breastfeeding Helpline at 1-877-452-5324.
• Visit Infant Risk Center or call 1-806-352-2519 for questions about breastfeeding and medications.

For more information on postpartum depression, talk to your doctor. You can also contact Postpartum Support International (PSI) at 1-800-944-4PPD (4773).

If your baby was born sick or premature and has been admitted to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), you may be having a difficult time coping. We believe that the more you know, the better you will be able to care for your infant. We are here to help you feel more at ease with your baby’s stay in the NICU.

Health A to Z (Healthwise)

• Getting to know the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
• NICU: Communicating with the staff
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection
• Newborn growth and development
• Drug withdrawal in newborns (Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome)

Helpful Resources

Need help getting a breast pump?  Call Member Services at 1-844-396-2329 to speak with a case manager.

The MyPreemie App provides support to parents and families with preemies.

Graham's Foundation provides support, advocacy and research for preemies and their families.

There are many things you can do to support your partner during pregnancy. Encourage your partner to seek early and regular prenatal care, and attend appointments and birthing classes with her. Encourage your partner to take other important steps such as avoiding tobacco and alcohol, staying active and eating healthy, and finding ways to reduce stress during pregnancy.

During this exciting time, it is also important for you to take care of yourself. As you encourage your partner to take important steps to stay healthy, take these steps with her:

• Visit your doctor
• Make sure your immunizations are up-to-date
• Avoid tobacco and alcohol
• Stay active – spend time walking or exercising with your partner
• Eat healthy
• Find ways to reduce your stress – reach out to friends and family who are parents and can provide you with support and advice

This is an exciting time for you. Your role as a parent is very important to the health and development of your baby, and you may have a lot of questions about caring for your newborn.  Amerigroup Community Care is here for you.  You can find helpful information on getting and staying healthy, and preparing for parenthood below.

Health A to Z (Healthwise)

• Health screenings for men
• Immunizations
• Healthy Eating Tips
• Fitness: Getting and staying active
• Getting ready to quit smoking?
• Dealing with depression?
• What is your stress level?
• Is drinking getting in the way?
• Partner support during pregnancy
• From embryo to baby in 9 months
• Baby’s daily needs: What to expect
• Bonding with your newborn
• Newborn growth and development

Helpful Resources

Baby center:  Childbirth cheat sheet
March of Dimes:  Information for new dads
Decision in recovery: Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Smokefree.gov
National Tobacco Quit Line: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357)

Losing a baby is a very painful experience.  If you are dealing with the loss of your baby, it is important to have a circle of support.  Below are some resources you might find helpful.

CJ First Candle — Support for families who have had a pregnancy or infant loss
Call 1-800-221-7437. Grief counselors are on hand at no cost, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
National SHARE — Pregnancy and infant loss support
Call 1-800-821-6819
MISS Foundation — Support and resources after the death of a child
Call 1-888-455-6477

You may have questions about sex, relationships, body changes, birth control or other topics. Getting regular check-ups gives you a chance to ask your doctor these questions and talk about any other concerns. Ask your doctor if they can answer your questions without a parent in the room.

You can also find information and support online. Below are some sites you can visit to get accurate information about ways to stay healthy.

Health A to Z (Healthwise)

• Teen health
• Fitness: Getting and staying active
• Quitting smoking
• Bullying
• Teen relationship abuse
• HPV: Should I get the vaccine
• Birth control for teens

Helpful Resources

What is Teen health?
Take charge of your health: A guide for teens
BAM! Body and Mind
Get important Health information especially for teens
Am I in a healthy relationship?
Learn more about reproductive health for teens.
Explore birth control methods and get birth control and appointment reminders at Bedsider.org.
Everything you wanted to know about IUDs and the Implant at WhoopsProof.
Learn more about unintended pregnancy prevention.
Learn more about quitting smoking at teen.smokefree.gov.