BlueChoice HealthPlan

Before Baby

Every woman of childbearing age should be thinking about her health, whether or not she is planning pregnancy. Here are two reasons why:

• Half of all pregnancies are not planned. Women with unplanned pregnancies are more likely to have a preterm birth and a low birth weight baby.
• Despite important advances in medicine and prenatal care, about one in eight babies is born too early. Researchers are trying to find out why and how to prevent preterm birth. But experts agree that women need to be healthier before becoming pregnant.

We have created the Great Expectations^® Before Baby program to help our members of childbearing age be prepared for pregnancy. Enroll today. We’re here to offer support and guidance!

What Do Members Receive?

• Telephone counseling sessions that cover general preconception information and information about the member's specific condition. We encourage all members to call us any time with questions or concerns. To enroll and speak to a maternity health specialist call 800-327-3183, ext. 25293.
• Referrals to other Great Expectations programs that can help with other health issues, such as asthma, diabetes or quitting smoking. Our Great Expectations^® for health programs help educate members about their overall health, or a particular disease or condition.

What Can I Do on My Own to Increase My Chances of a Healthy Pregnancy?

It is important that you see your doctor before you become pregnant. Here is a list of talking points to print and take with you to your appointment.

Knowing that the first few weeks of pregnancy are the most vital to the development of the baby, it’s especially important for women to be healthy near the time of conception. Some habits are hard to break, and some health issues take longer to address than others. Getting a jump start is good for you and your baby. Following these simple guidelines can help you prepare for a healthy pregnancy:

• Quit smoking – Smoking during pregnancy increases your chance of preterm delivery, a low birth weight baby and, in rare cases, infant death (American Lung Association). BlueChoice HealthPlan understands how difficult it is to quit. To get started, check out the Great Expectations^® Quit Smoking program.
• Limit alcohol – There is no safe amount of alcohol to consume while you are pregnant.
• Don’t use recreational drugs – Recreational drug use during pregnancy can increase the chance of miscarriage, low birth weight, premature births, developmental delays, and behavioral and learning problems.
• Review your prescription drugs – Talk with your health care provider about any and all prescription drugs you are taking. Some prescription drugs can cause birth defects. Also, discuss any over-the-counter or herbal supplements with your doctor.
• Limit exposure to hazardous chemicals – For example, most studies show that the greatest risk of exposure to pesticides is during the first three to eight weeks of the first trimester when the baby's neural tube development occurs. This is often before a woman knows she is pregnant.
• Limit your stress – Stress has been linked to delayed or missed periods which makes it hard to track ovulation and may lead to getting pregnant. You may find it helpful to try relaxation techniques or yoga.
• Decrease your caffeine consumption – Some studies have shown a link between high levels of caffeine consumption and delayed conception. A few studies have shown that there may be an increase in miscarriages among women who consume more than 200 mg (one 12-ounce cup of coffee) a day versus those who do not consume any caffeine.

Focus on Healthy Habits

• Exercise – Set goals for what you want to achieve and start exercising now. Ask yourself if you want to lose weight, gain weight, build muscle, decrease stress or improve lung capacity. Some good exercise options include walking, swimming, bicycling and aerobics. Yoga is an excellent choice for exercise because it incorporates posture, breathing and concentration which will help you during labor. Talk with your doctor about what’s best for you. 
• Read – Books on pregnancy and child birth can help you become more prepared. 
• Track your menstrual cycle – Your doctor will ask you about your menstrual cycle. Keeping track of your cycle will also help you track your ovulation and increase your chance of pregnancy.  
• Get a lot of sleep – If you are not getting eight hours of sleep a night, you should start. Getting enough sleep can also help relieve stress and tension.
• Eat healthy – Nutrition is vital to your health. The healthier you are, the easier the pregnancy will be for you. Make sure you are getting a lot of vitamins in your diet by eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. Start taking folic acid now. Studies have shown that folic acid (300-400 micrograms a day) can help reduce the risk of neural tube defects when taken before conception. Just be sure to tell your health care provider about any supplements you are taking.
• Maintain an ideal weight – Your weight can play a significant role during conception and pregnancy. When planning to conceive, you want to avoid being over or under weight. Discuss any plans for weight loss or gain with your health care provider. Check out the Great Expectations^® Weight Management program for more information.

Helpful Links

Before you get pregnant: Information for all women
 
Dental Care Before, During and After Pregnancy

Good Health Before Pregnancy: Preconception Care
 
Infertility Information

March of Dimes – Get ready for pregnancy

March of Dimes – Pregnancy after 35
 
March of Dimes – Trying to get pregnant

Mom-to-Be Tools

Pregnancy Planning Podcast

These links lead to third party websites. The owners of these sites are solely responsible for the contents and privacy policies on their sites.

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