My Health
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Expecting a baby?
Start smart with Future Moms
If you are expecting a baby, it is an exciting time.
Doing what’s best for your baby means learning all
you can. Moms-to-be who know more about having
a baby can make smart choices. Taking care of your
body and baby while pregnant (called prenatal care)
is the best thing you can do to have a healthy baby.
And
Future Moms
can help.
Future Moms
is our program that supports you and
answers your questions during your pregnancy and
delivery. You work one-on-one with a nurse coach.
There’s no cost to be part of
Future Moms
. It’s
strictly private. You’ll get:
•
•
Reminders to help you make prenatal exams and
visits after the baby is born.
•
•
A toll-free phone number you can call 24/7 to
speak with a nurse.
•
•
Materials to help you prepare for the unexpected.
•
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Information about infant care and home safety.
•
•
Referrals to prenatal classes in your area (at no
cost to you).
•
•
A breastfeeding support phone line.
If you’re expecting a baby, call us at
1-855-753-2147
.
Ask to be part of the
Future Moms
program. You
can sign up at any time while you’re pregnant. But
it’s best to sign up as soon as you know you’re
pregnant. It’s the best way to help make sure you
stay as healthy as you can for you and your baby.
When you’re pregnant you should put yourself
and your baby first! Take good care of yourself
by keeping all of your doctor checkups while
pregnant. We call these prenatal visits.
Women who keep all of their prenatal visits
during pregnancy have healthier babies, are less
likely to deliver prematurely and are less likely
to have other serious problems with pregnancy.
And checkups don’t end with your prenatal
visits. It’s just as important to keep your doctor
checkups after you have your baby. We call these
postpartum visits.
When to see the doctor while pregnant
WHEN TO SEE THE
DOCTOR DURING A
NORMAL PREGNANCY
HOW OFTEN TO SEE
THE DOCTOR DURING
A NORMAL PREGNANCY
Weeks 4 to 28
One visit per month
(every four weeks)
Weeks 28 to 36
Two visits per month
(every two to three weeks)
Week 36 to birth
One visit per week
With ongoing care, you can manage any issues that
may come up.
Checkups you
need during
pregnancy and
after baby arrives
When to see the doctor
after you have your baby
You should have a checkup with your doctor a
few weeks after you deliver your baby. Your body
goes through many changes during pregnancy
and delivery. It is crucial for your doctor to check
that your body has healed from the delivery. At
your postpartum visit, you also can make a plan
for birth control and talk to your health care
professional if you feel sad or blue.
You spend nine months preparing for your
baby’s birth. After you have your baby, it’s just as
important for you to keep up the healthy habits
you started while pregnant. Seeing your doctor is
your best way to make sure you are on track so that
you and your baby stay healthy.
Sources: March of Dimes website:
Prenatal Care Visits
(January 2010)
and (May 2010); Association of Reproductive Health Professionals
website:
Your Six-Week Postpartum Check-up: A Health Care Guide for
New Mothers
: arhp.org/Publications
If you have a chronic medical condition, you don’t have
to go it alone. Our
ConditionCare
program can help you
get more out of life. It’s private, and there’s no extra
cost for you. You can choose to take part in the program
if you have one of these conditions:
•
•
Asthma
•
•
Diabetes
•
•
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
•
•
Coronary artery disease (CAD or heart disease)
•
•
Heart failure
ConditionCare
gives you 24-hour access to a nurse
to answer your questions and offer support. The nurse
also can teach you how to best take care of yourself.
Our nurses work with a team of dietitians and other
health experts when needed. Also, you’ll get newsletters
with tips for dealing with your condition.
Join
ConditionCare
. Just call
1-855-753-2147
.
Calling can be the first step on the road to
better health.
Have you heard about ConditionCare?
