Pregnancy and women’s health
At Healthy Blue, we understand that deciding if and when to have a baby is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Whatever you choose, we’re here to help you stay healthy.
Here you’ll find useful tips, interactive tools and helpful resources and apps to stay healthy at every stage of your life.
If you’re pregnant, take these important steps:
Step 1: Schedule an appointment with your OB provider.
Who is your OB provider? If you don’t have one, you can call us at 1-844-521-6941 (TTY 711) Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and we can help you find one near you.
Step 2: Complete an OB health screener.
This screener will help us customize the care and support we provide you throughout your pregnancy. Call 1-844-521-6941 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to complete our OB health screener.
Step 3: Call to learn more about our New Baby, New Life℠ program and to get connected to an OB Case Manager.
Call 1-844-521-6941 (TTY 711) Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to learn more.
Step 4: Take care of you.
Eating healthy foods, staying active and avoiding tobacco and alcohol can help you stay healthy during and after pregnancy.
Pregnancy and childbirth
There are several important steps you can take to stay healthy and strong throughout your life:
- Going to your primary care physician 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 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)
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 primary care physician 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
- Decision in recovery: Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
- Show your love! Preconception health care app
- 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)
There are many things you can do to help keep you and your baby 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 provider 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 help stay healthy.
Who is your OB provider? If you don’t have one, you can call us at 844-521-6941 (TTY 711), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and we can help you find a provider near you.
- Take care of you.
Eating healthy foods, staying active, and avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and drugs 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 844-521-6941 (TTY 711) to complete our OB health screener.
- Chat with your OB case manager.
Call us to learn about our programs and incentives for those who are pregnant and new parents. We offer resources to help you care for yourself and your baby. Call 844-521-6941 (TTY 711), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 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
- 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)
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 provider, 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
- How to breastfeed
- 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 1-844-521-6941 (TTY 711) Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to- 7 p.m. 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 primary care physician. You can also contact Postpartum Support International (PSI) at 1-800-944-4PPD
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 1-844-521-6941 (TTY 711) Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to- 7 p.m. 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 preemie 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’s 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 primary care physician
- 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. Healthy Blue 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
- BabyCenter: 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 primary care physician these questions and talk about any other concerns. Ask your primary care physician 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.
Healthy Rewards
You can earn rewards for going to health checkups or screenings.
Community Resource Link
Get help finding food, jobs, housing and other things you may need.
Infant Safe Haven
Learn about safe-haven laws in your state and what to do if you can’t care for your newborn.