Pregnancy and Women’s Health in Iowa

 

Deciding if or when to have a baby is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Whatever you choose, your Iowa Wellpoint Medicaid plan is here for you.

Caring for you and your baby

 

Whether you recently found out you’re pregnant or if you’re trying to become pregnant, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Download our Pregnancy and Beyond Resource Guide

 

Use this guide to learn about our Taking Care of Baby and Me® program and how you can support your well-being during pregnancy.

 

Pregnancy-and-beyond Resource Guide (English) 

 

Pregnancy-and-beyond Resource Guide (Spanish) 

Get answers to your questions

 

Our Health A to Z library has answers to your questions on topics such as pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.

 

Explore Pregnancy and Childbirth topics 

Once you find out you’re pregnant

 

  Schedule an appointment with your OB provider.

  • Prenatal care is very important for you and your baby. Your doctor will ask about your health, perform a physical exam, and tell you your baby’s due date.
  • Who is your OB provider? If you don’t have one, use the Find Care tool to find a provider near you.

  Stay healthy and strong.

  • Eat healthy foods, stay active, and avoid tobacco, alcohol, and drugs
  • Go to your doctor and dentist regularly
  • Keep your vaccines up-to-date
  • Protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

  Enroll in 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 the Healthy Rewards Customer Service Line at 888-990-8681 (TTY 711) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time.

  Complete an OB Health Screener.

Thinking about having a baby?

 

There are steps you can take early on to have a healthy pregnancy – and 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.

Taking care of you and your baby

 

Being a new parent is an exciting time, but it can bring some unexpected challenges.

 

Postpartum depression can occur after pregnancy. For more information on postpartum depression, talk to your doctor. You can also contact Postpartum Support International (PSI) at 800-944-4PPD (800-944-4773) (TTY 711).

 

 

Feeding support

 

  Redeem a no-cost breast pump accessory kit and microwave sterilizer in the Benefit Reward Hub when you log in to your secure Wellpoint account.

 

  WIC can also help you with breastfeeding support. Visit the WIC website or call your local WIC office.

 

  Visit La Leche or call the La Leche League Breastfeeding Helpline at 877-452-5324.

Navigating the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

 

If your baby is premature or has a serious health condition, they may have been admitted to the NICU. To support you, we have a NICU Case Management program. This program helps you to prepare yourself and your home for when your baby is released from the hospital. After your baby is home, our case managers continue to provide education and support to improve your baby’s health, prevent unnecessary hospital readmissions, and guide you to community resources if needed.

 

The MyPreemie app supports families with preemies.

Graham’s Foundation provides support, advocacy, and research for preemies and their families.

Supporting your partner when they’re pregnant

 

There are many ways you can be there for your partner during pregnancy:

 

  Encourage early and regular prenatal care

 

  Attend appointments and birthing classes together

 

  Help your partner avoid tobacco and alcohol, stay active and eat healthy

 

  Find ways you can pitch in and help reduce stress during the pregnancy

 

Be sure to take care of yourself, too. As you help your partner stay healthy, take these steps together:

 

  Visit your doctor

 

  Make sure your immunizations are up to date

 

  Avoid tobacco and alcohol

 

  Stay active — spend time walking or exercising with your partner

 

  Eat healthy

 

Your role as a parent is very important to the health and development of your baby. Be sure to check out all the resources on this page to learn more about what to expect during this time.

Coping with the loss of a baby

 

For help dealing with the loss of a baby, you can find resources here:

 

First Candle — Support for families who have had a pregnancy or infant loss, call 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 800-821-6819 (TTY 711).

 

MISS Foundation — Support and resources after the death of a child, call 888-455-6477 (TTY 711).

Teens: Taking care of your health and planning for the future

 

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

Support and resources

Community Resource Link

 

Get help finding food, jobs, housing and other things you may need.

 

Visit Community Resource Link 

Healthy Rewards

 

Earn rewards for certain health checkups or screenings.

 

Visit Healthy Rewards 

Infant Safe Haven

 

Learn about safe-haven laws in your state and what to do if you can’t care for your newborn.

 

Visit Infant Safe Haven 

Interactive tool: From embryo to baby in 9 months

 

Watch how a baby grows and changes inside the womb.

 

Visit interactive tool 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

 

Visit CDC Reproductive Health 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

 

Call 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357) (TTY 800-487-4889).

 

Review Decisions in Recovery: Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder handbook 

National Tobacco Quit Line

 

Call 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) (TTY 711).

 

Smokefree Women

 

Visit Smokefree Women 

March of Dimes

 

Visit March of Dimes 

Iowa Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program

 

Visit WIC 

Pregnancy and childbirth apps

Show Your Love App

 

Health tips from the CDC.

 

Download on the App Store® 

 

Get it on Google Play™