After Pregnancy

Recovering from Delivery

Your body goes through lots of changes after you give birth. It is important to rest as much as you can and let your body heal. Learn more about recovering from delivery.

Complications from delivery can happen up to a year after giving birth. Remember POST-BIRTH and check for these signs:

Call 911 or get emergency care if you have:

P – Pain in the chest
O – Obstructed breathing or are short of breath
S – Seizures
T – Thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby

Call your provider right away or go to urgent care if you have:

B – Bleeding that is enough to go through a pad in an hour or if you pass large blood clots
I – An incision that has not healed if you had a c-section or episiotomy
R – Red, swollen, or painful legs
T – A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or above
H – A headache that does not get better with medication, or a headache with vision changes

Postpartum Care

It is important to see your provider after giving birth. They will make sure you are recovering, check on your mental health, answer questions, and check on any needs you may have. Plus, you can earn a reward when you complete your postpartum visit.

Our Mom & Baby Beginnings team is here for you after your pregnancy. We can also help coordinate care if your baby is in the NICU. Call 1-833-230-2034 (TTY: 711) to get connected.

If or when to have another baby is a big question many women face. Learn about Reproductive Life Planning and what may be best for you. If you plan to start a family, there are many factors for your health and well-being. Think about your preconception health and birth spacing.

Transportation

Need a ride to your postpartum visit? We can help. Learn about your ride options.

Mom’s Meals®

Get up to 28 healthy meals delivered to your door after you give birth (for eligible members). Call 1-833-230-2034 (TTY: 711) to get your meals set up.

Postpartum Mental Health

Your mental health matters. Many people feel the “baby blues” after their baby is born. This can include mild mood changes and feeling exhausted, worried or overwhelmed. The baby blues can last a few days to a couple of weeks. The baby blues are mild symptoms and brief periods of mood swings. They are are temporary and go away for many people.

Postpartum Depression

Nearly one in eight new moms suffer from postpartum depression (PPD). PPD can be mistaken for the baby blues at first. The symptoms of PPD are more intense than the baby blues. It often impairs your ability to function on a daily basis. PPD can last for many months or longer if it is not treated.

Postpartum Anxiety

We don’t hear as much about PPA as we do with PPD, but it can be just as debilitating. About one in 10 women develop postpartum anxiety (PPA). PPA is more than the normal worrying that can happen after giving birth. It is a constant worry or fear that something bad is going to happen. It includes racing thoughts, not being able to sleep, and can lead to panic attacks.

Resources

Call your provider right away if you feel like something is “off”. Our 24-Hour Nurse Advice Line is also here for you if you are not sure what care you need. Call 1-866-206-0554 to reach a nurse 24/7.