Pregnancy

Pregnant women need special care

It’s important to get care early if you’re pregnant. Call Member Services at 1-855-242-0802, TTY 711, as soon as you can. We can help you:

  • Choose a PCP or OB/GYN for your pregnancy (prenatal) care
  • Get into special programs for pregnant members, like childbirth classes
  • Get healthy food through the Women Infants and Children (WIC) program

If you’re not sure you’re pregnant, make an appointment with your provider for a pregnancy test.

If you know you’re pregnant and have already chosen your pregnancy provider, call him or her to make an appointment. If you need help finding a provider, call Member Services at 1-855-242-0802; TTY 711. You can also search for a provider.

Your provider will tell you how often you should see him or her. Keep all of these appointments. Early and regular care is very important for your health and your baby’s health.

Your PCP or OB/GYN will help you with the following:

  • Regular pregnancy care and services
  • Special classes for moms-to-be, such as childbirth or parenting classes
  • What to expect during your pregnancy
  • Information about good nutrition, exercise and other helpful advice

Family planning services for after your baby is born -- this includes birth control pills, condoms and tubal ligation (getting your tubes tied).

Family Coaching and Support Program Referral Form

Let us know you’re pregnant by filling out this Notification of Pregnacy form.

Complete this form as early as possible so our care management team can tell you about our Promise program for pregnant members, and get you connected to local community resources and services. Please fill out this confidential online form and submit directly to our nurse case managers. If you need help, please call our Member Services Department at 1-855-242-0802.

Our care management team can help with:

  • Appointments
  • Finding a doctor or a pharmacy
  • Transportation to doctor's appointments
  • Promise Program for pregnant members (receive information on program rewards for seeing your doctor for prenatal and postnatal care)
  • Text4baby (receive personalized messages and health tips during and after your pregnancy regarding wellness, nutrition, growth and development)
  • Special care plan just for you and your baby
  • Your provider will tell you when you need to come back for a visit. It’s important for you and your baby’s health to keep all your appointments.
  • Childbirth classes can help with your pregnancy and delivery. These classes are free. Ask your provider about the classes and how you can sign up for them.
  • High lead levels in a pregnant woman can harm her unborn child. Older houses sometimes have lead in the paint. Ask your provider if you need a blood test for lead exposure.
  • It’s important that you don’t smoke, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs. These can seriously harm you and your baby.

Going into labor before your 37th week of pregnancy is called preterm labor. Preterm labor can cause your baby to be born too soon early. This can lead to a number of health problems that may affect your baby.

Are you at risk?
Any pregnant woman can have preterm labor. It may start for no reason. But these risk factors can increase your chances:

  • Past preterm labor or past early birth
  • Smoking, drug, or alcohol use during pregnancy
  • Multiple fetuses (twins or more)
  • Problems with the shape of the uterus
  • Bleeding during the pregnancy

The dangers of preterm birth
A baby born too soon may have health problems. This is because the baby didn’t have enough time to mature. Some of the risks for your baby include:

  • Not breastfeeding well
  • Having immature lungs
  • Bleeding in the brain
  • Other life threatening problems

Your goal is to get as close to term as you can before giving birth. The closer you get to term, the higher your chance of having a healthy baby. Work with your health care provider. Together, you can take steps that may keep you from giving birth too early.

Source: Krames

Our Promise program helps you learn how to take care of yourself and your baby. You can stay in the program until your child is two years old. You’ll get support and help throughout your pregnancy. We encourage you to join the program as soon as you know you’re pregnant.

  • Promise reward program –  The more visits you make to your doctor during your pregnancy, the more rewards you can get.  These include:
    • You’ll earn your first $10 gift card when you visit your doctor within the first trimester of your pregnancy. If you are a new member, you must visit your doctor within 42 days of enrolling with our plan.
    • You’ll earn a second $10 gift card when you complete your postpartum visit. This visit must be within 21-56 days after your baby is born.
    • Level 1 Reward (Valued at $80): Earned when you complete 7 visits before your baby is born and 1 visit after your baby is born.
    • Level 2 Reward (Valued at $125): Earned when you complete 8 to 10 visits before your baby is born and 1 visit after your baby is born.
    • Level 3 Reward (Valued at $150): Earned when you complete 11 or more visits before your baby is born and 1 visit after your baby is born.

The rewards for completion of the levels are not cumulative.

  • Circumcisions available for newborn boys

You should see your own PCP or OB/GYN within 4-6 weeks after your baby is born. You will get a well-woman checkup to make sure you are healthy. Your PCP will also talk with you about family planning.

Here are some of the services the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program gives you at no cost to you:

  • Help with breastfeeding questions 
  • Referrals to agencies
  • Healthy food 
  • Healthy eating tips
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables

If you need information about WIC, you can call Member Services at 1-855-242-0802, TTY 711. You can also call WIC directly to see if you and your child are eligible at 1-800-251-BABY toll free. You can also go online.

Text4baby is a free mobile information service. It promotes mother and baby health through text messaging.

Women who text BABY (or BEBE for Spanish) to 511411 receive 3 free text messages a week. These messages are timed to their due date or their baby's birth date. They will get messages through their pregnancy and up until their baby’s first birthday.

These messages are about labor signs, prenatal care, developmental milestones, shots, eating well, safety and more.