Pregnancy and women’s health

Stay healthy and strong by:

• Going to your primary care provider 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 – English

 

 Family planning for women in substance abuse treatment – Spanish

 

 

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 test 

 

Quitting smoking 

 

What is your stress level? 

 

Women’s health 

 

Zika virus 

 

Helpful resources

 

Learn more at cdc.gov/reproductivehealth.

 

Decision in recovery: Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder 

 

Smokefree Women 

 

 

National Tobacco Quit Line: 800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)

 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 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)

 

Alcohol or drug use during pregnancy 

 

Breast self-examination 

 

Birth control 

 

Breast self-examination 

 

Fitness: Getting and staying active 

 

Healthy eating tips 

 

Immunizations 

 

Is drinking getting in the way? 

 

Pap test 

 

Quitting smoking 

 

What is your stress level? 

 

Women’s health 

 

Zika virus 

 

Helpful resources

 

Learn more at 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 Services 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 are pregnant:

Schedule an appointment with your OB provider. Prenatal care is very important for you and your baby. Your primary care provider 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 do not have one, call 1-866-231-0847 (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 screener will help us customize the care and support we provide you throughout your pregnancy. Complete an OB health screener in our Concierge Care digital app or with a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield associate.

 

Chat with an OB case manager

We can help you take care of yourself so you can take care of your baby. Call 1-866-231-0847 (TTY 711) to learn more about our New Baby, New Life℠ program.

 

Healthy Rewards
You may be able to earn rewards for going to your prenatal and postpartum appointments. To enroll in our Healthy Rewards program, visit the Benefit Reward Hub or call 1-888-990-8681 (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 

 

Concierge Care Maternity 

 

National Tobacco Quit Line: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 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 a breast pump? Call Member Services at 1-866-231-0847 (TTY 711). A case manager will help you. Visit the WIC website or call 1-518-432-4033. 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 will be able to care for your baby. We are 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 & development 

 

NICU: Communicating with the staff 

 

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection 

 

 

Helpful resources
Need a breast pump? Call Member Services at 1-866-231-0847 (TTY 711). A case manager can help you.

 

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 primary care provider
• 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 prepare 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 

 

Getting ready to quit 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: 800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 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:

First Candle — Support for families who have had a pregnancy or infant loss

Call 1-800-221-7437 (TTY 711). 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 (TTY 711).

MISS Foundation — Support and resources after the death of a child

Call 1-888-455-6477 (TTY 711).

You may have questions about sex, relationships, body changes, or birth control.

When you go for regular checkups, you can talk with your primary care provider. If you want to talk privately, ask your primary care provider 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 become and stay healthy.

 

Health A to Z (Healthwise)

 

Birth control for teens 

 

Bullying 

 

Fitness: Getting and staying active 

 

HPV: Should I get the vaccine? 

 

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. Find birth control and appointment reminders at Bedsider.org.

 

Important health information especially for teens.

 

Learn more about reproductive health for teens.

 

Learn more about quitting smoking at teen.smokefree.gov.

 

Take charge of your health: A guide for teens

 

What is teen health?