Pregnancy and women’s health

Stay healthy and strong by: 

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

• Family planning for women in substance abuse treatment

Health A to Z (Healthwise)

Alcohol or drug use during pregnancy
Are you depressed?
Birth control
Breast self-examination 
Fitness: Getting and staying active
Healthy eating tips
Immunizations 
Is drinking getting in the way
Pap tests
Quitting smoking
What is your stress level?
Women’s health
Zika virus

Helpful resources

Learn more at www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth. 
Decision in recovery: Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Smokefree 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)

Are you thinking about having a baby? There are steps you can take to stay healthy before, during and after pregnancy. They 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)    

Helpful resources

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. There are many things you can do to help you and your baby stay strong and healthy.

Once you find out you’re pregnant:

• Schedule an appointment with your OB provider.

Prenatal care is very important for you and your baby. Your doctor will ask you about your health, do a physical exam and tell you your baby’s due date.  
Who is your OB provider? If you don’t have one, call 1-800-782-0095 (TTY 711).  We can help find a provider near you.

• Take care of you.

Eat healthy foods, stay active, and avoid tobacco and alcohol.

• Complete an OB health screener.

This helps us get you the care and support you need during your pregnancy.
Call 1-800-782-0095 (TTY 711) to complete our OB health screener. Visit My Advocate at myadvocatehelps.com to complete our OB health screener online.

• Chat with an OB case manager.

We can help you take care of yourself so you can take care of your baby. Call 1-800-782-0095 (TTY 711) to learn more about our Taking Care of Baby and Me® program.

Healthy Rewards

You may be able to earn rewards for going to your prenatal and postpartum appointments. You can redeem these Healthy Rewards through the Benefit Reward Hub or by calling 888-990-8681 (TTY 711).

Health A to Z (Healthwise)

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

Helpful resources

March of Dimes
Smokefree Women
Text 4baby
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 able to get WIC benefits. Visit the WIC website to learn more.

Congratulations! Being a new mother is an exciting time. But it can bring some unexpected challenges. You may have questions about how to keep yourself and your baby healthy. 

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

Health A to Z (Healthwise)

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

Helpful resources

Need help getting a breast pump? Call the Customer Care Center at 1-800-782-0095 (TTY 711).  A case manager will help you.

Visit the WIC website or call your local WIC office. WIC can help you with breastfeeding support.

For more 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, they may have been admitted to the NICU. You may be having a hard time coping. We believe that the more you know, the better you’ll be able to care for your baby. We’re here to help you during your baby’s stay in the NICU.

Health A to Z (Healthwise)

Drug withdrawal in newborns (Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome)
Newborn growth and development 
NICU: Communicating with the staff 
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection 

Helpful resources

Need help getting a breast pump? Call the Customer Care Center at 1-800-782-0095 (TTY 711). A case manager can help you.

• Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: A family guide

MyPreemie

Learn how to care for a premature baby.

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

There are many ways you can support your partner during pregnancy. Encourage her to seek early and regular prenatal care. Attend appointments and birthing classes with her. Encourage your partner to avoid tobacco and alcohol, stay active, and eat healthy. Find ways to help her reduce stress during pregnancy.

Take care of yourself, too! As you help your partner 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

Your role as a parent is very important to the health and development of your baby. You may have a lot of questions about caring for your newborn. The links below can help you get ready to be a parent.

Health A to Z (Healthwise)

Baby’s daily needs: What to expect
Bonding with your newborn
Depression
Fitness: Getting and staying active
From embryo to baby in 9 months
Quitting smoking
Health screenings 
Healthy eating tips
Immunizations
Is drinking getting in the way
Newborn growth and development
Partner support during pregnancy
What is your stress level?

Helpful resources

BabyCenter: Childbirth cheat sheet
Decision in recovery: Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
March of Dimes
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 very painful. A strong circle of support can be very helpful. You can find help here:

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 or birth control. When you get regular checkups, you can talk with your doctor. If you want to talk privately, ask your doctor if they can answer your questions without a parent in the room.

You can also find information online. Below are some sites that can help you get and stay healthy.

Health A to Z (Healthwise)

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

Helpful resources

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