After Pregnancy
The Michigan State Medicaid Plan postpartum coverage is 12 months long. This will allow new moms to have care such as:
- family planning
- pregnancy services
- gynecological services
- self-referrals to women’s health specialists in the network
Congratulations, Mom! Meeting your baby is one of the happiest times in a woman’s life, but it also presents both physical and emotional challenges. It is vital to rest and take care of yourself so that you are able to recover from delivery and take care of your baby. Keep reading for important steps to take and things to do after having your baby.
Go to your postpartum visit.
Schedule a visit with your OB provider 3-6 weeks after delivery. Your OB provider will make sure you are recovering physically, see how you are doing emotionally, answer questions and address any needs you might have.
Need help getting to your postpartum visit? We’re here for you! HAP CareSource offers free rides to and from all provider visits. Just call Member Services at 1-833-230-2053 (TTY: 711) 48 hours before your visit. We will arrange a ride to and from your visit.
Having a tough time with the “baby blues”?
If you’ve been feeling anxious, sad, frustrated, tired or overwhelmed ever since you had your baby, you might have postpartum depression. These symptoms go away after a few weeks for most women. But for some women, these feelings can be very strong and last a long time. If this sounds like you, you are not alone.
Discuss birth control options with your OB provider.
Studies show that it is best to wait at least 18 months between pregnancies. This reduces the risk of possible health-related issues, such as having a premature baby. If you’re interested in birth control, talk to your OB provider about your options.
There are options such as the contraceptive implant and the IUD which are safe, very effective and reversible. These can often be placed right in the hospital after delivery! These devices can be easily removed in the OB provider’s office when you are ready to have another baby.
Start breastfeeding.
If possible, start nursing within an hour of your baby’s birth. Babies tend to be alert in the first few hours of life, so breastfeeding right away takes advantage of this natural wakefulness. After this, newborns will sleep for most of the next 24 hours. At that point, it might be harder to get your baby to latch on.
Not able to breastfeed regularly? You can get a free breast pump through the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program! If you’re having issues with breastfeeding, such as milk supply or sore nipples, the WIC Program may also offer free lactation consulting services.
Have other questions about how to properly breastfeed your newborn?
Learn the basics of baby care.
Learn the basics of caring for your newborn through the KidsHealth Newborn Center. This gives you tips about childbirth, breastfeeding, changing a diaper, bonding with your baby and many other helpful topics! It’s a great resource, whether you’re a new parent or not.
What else do you need to learn about caring for your newborn? Check out our baby care tips and resources.
Set up well-baby and immunization visits.
During the first couple years of life, your baby will need to get several vaccinations and screenings (like lead screenings) and need frequent well-baby visits to ensure their development is on target. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an easy-to-follow chart of immunizations needed from birth to 15 months.
Share this chart with your baby’s pediatrician to check which vaccinations are needed for your baby, and if your baby needs other vaccinations not on this list. Don’t forget – you’ll be able to earn rewards for taking your child to their well-baby and immunization visits.
Need help getting to your child’s well-baby and immunization visits? We’re here for you! HAP CareSource offers free rides to and from all provider visits. Just call Member Services at 1-833-230-2053 (TTY: 711) 48 hours before your visit. We will arrange a ride to and from your visit.
After Pregnancy Resources
Have other questions about what to do after pregnancy?
Call our Mom and Baby Beginnings at 1-833-230-2034 (TTY: 711).