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.

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 the following:  

• 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.

There are many ways you can support your partner during pregnancy. Please encourage them to seek early and regular prenatal care. Attend appointments and birthing classes with them. Encourage your partner to avoid tobacco and alcohol, stay active, and eat healthily. Find ways to help them reduce stress during pregnancy.
 
Take care of yourself, too! As you help your partner stay healthy, take these steps with them:  

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

Being a new parent can be an exciting time, but it can also 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 make sure your baby is safe, happy, and healthy.

Helpful resources

Need help getting a breast pump? A case manager will help you. Call Enrollee Services at 800-600-4441 (TTY 711). 

Visit the WIC website or call 202-442-9397. WIC can help you with breastfeeding support.

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, so we offer the NICU Case Management program.

This program provides education and support designed to help you with the day-to-day stress of having a baby in the NICU and helps you to prepare yourself and your home for when your baby is ready to come home from the hospital. Education and resources outline successful strategies you may use to collaborate with your baby’s NICU care team while inpatient and manage your baby’s health after discharge.

After your baby is home, our NICU case managers continue to provide you with education and support to foster improved health outcomes, prevent unnecessary hospital readmissions, and guide you to efficient community resources if your baby needs them.

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.  

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 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 800-821-6819.

MISS Foundation — Support and resources after the death of a child.
Call 888-455-6477.

When you get regular checkups, you can talk with your doctor. You may have questions about sex, relationships, body changes, or birth control. If you want to talk privately, ask your doctor if they can answer your questions without a parent in the room.