Preventive Health Guidelines

Pregnant Women

Prenatal Care Plan

Pregnant women should see their doctor or OB-GYN in their first three months of pregnancy for a first visit and to set up a prenatal care plan. At this visit, your doctor will check your health and the health of your baby.

Based on your past health, your doctor may want you to have these tests, screenings or vaccines:

  • Depression – screening during or after pregnancy
  • Diabetes – during pregnancy
  • Hematocrit/hemoglobin (blood count)
  • Hepatitis B
  • HIV
  • Rh(D) blood type and antibody testing – if Rh(D) negative, repeat test at 26 to 28 weeks
  • Rubella immunity – to find out which women need the rubella vaccine after giving birth
  • Syphilis
  • Urinalysis – when your doctor wants it

The doctor may talk to you about what to eat and how to be active when pregnant as well as staying away from tobacco, drugs, alcohol and other substances. You also may discuss breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling.

Other tests and screenings

Some tests given alone or with other tests can be used to check the baby for health concerns. These tests are done at certain times while you are pregnant. The best test to use and the best time to do it depends on many things. These include your age as well as your medical and family history. Talk to your doctor about what these tests can tell you about your baby, the risks of the tests and which tests may be best for you.

  • Amniocentesis
  • Chorionic villus sampling
  • Special blood tests
  • Ultrasound tests including special tests (used with blood tests during the first three months for chromosomal abnormality risk) and routine two-dimensional tests to check on the baby

Medications

If you are high risk for a condition called preeclampsia, your doctor may recommend the use of low-dose aspirin as a preventive medication.

Vaccines

If you are pregnant in flu season (October to March), your doctor may want you to have the inactivated flu vaccine. Pregnant adolescents and adults should be vaccinated with Tdap vaccine with each pregnancy.

While other vaccines may be given in special cases, it is best to get the vaccines you need before you get pregnant. Women should always check with their doctor about their own needs.

You should NOT get these vaccines while you are pregnant:

  • Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
  • Varicella

*This guide is for people enrolled in the Anthem plan. Some people may be at higher risk for health issues due to their family history, race, ethnicity or other reasons. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your health.

This post was last modified on November 30, 2024 5:11 pm