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HomeMemberHelpful ToolsHealth ResourcesMaternal Health

Maternal Health

Prenatal care is the health care individuals get when they’re pregnant. With regular checkups and a healthy lifestyle, pregnant individuals can work with their primary care provider (PCP) to prevent potential problems and have a healthy pregnancy.

Maternal-Health

Are you thinking about having a baby?

Visit your PCP before becoming pregnant. During this visit, speak with your PCP about:

  • Medication safety
  • Vaccines or screenings you may need
  • Pregnancy hazards at home or work
  • Pregnancy history
  • Family health history
  • Managing health conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, or epilepsy

It is also important to be in your best health before becoming pregnant. You should:

  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat healthy
  • Quit smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs
  • Take a folic acid dietary supplement daily
  • Avoid toxic substances, such as fertilizers or pesticides
  • Visit your PCP regularly

If you need a PCP, visit our Find a Doctor tool to locate a PCP or OB/GYN near you.

Do you think you may be pregnant?

If you think you may be pregnant, schedule a visit with your PCP right away.

Regular prenatal care visits can help you:

  • Find any potential health concerns
  • Learn about healthy eating
  • Track your baby’s growth
  • Schedule tests
  • Learn about labor and delivery
  • Learn about breastfeeding
For a healthy pregnancy, you should also:

  • Take prenatal vitamins
  • Quit smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs
  • Eat healthy
  • Keep a healthy weight
  • Exercise regularly
  • Get enough sleep
  • Ask your PCP about any medications you take

Baby Care

Fidelis Care offers a special program called BabyCare to support the health of members during pregnancy. Any Fidelis Care member who is pregnant can join. For more information, call us at 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547), or contact us to e-enroll.

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Vaccines



If you are pregnant, it is important to be up to date on your vaccines. This
will help protect you and your child from serious diseases. Certain vaccines
are safe and recommended before, during, and after pregnancy to help keep you and your baby healthy.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pregnant individuals get vaccines during every pregnancy:

1.) Flu vaccine. If you are pregnant during flu season, getting the flu vaccine can protect you and your baby for several months after birth.

2.) You can get the Tdap vaccine at any time during pregnancy. The CDC recommends getting the Tdap vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy to protect yourself and your baby from pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

3.) RSV vaccine. People who are 32 through 36 weeks pregnant during September through January should get one dose of maternal RSV vaccine
to protect their babies. RSV season can vary around the country.

If you have any questions about prenatal vaccines, please ask your PCP.

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Screenings



Your PCP may recommend certain screenings and tests during your pregnancy, including:

  • Before birth: Many genetic abnormalities can be found before birth. Genetic screenings can help find the potential for certain genetic disorders.
  • First trimester: Screenings may include a combination of fetal ultrasound and maternal blood testing. These can help determine the risk of the fetus having certain birth defects.
  • Second trimester: Screenings may include blood tests to find the risk of having a baby with certain genetic conditions or birth defects.
  • Throughout pregnancy: Ultrasounds may be performed to check for fetal growth, estimate your due date, and look for any structural abnormalities in the baby.
  • Additional testing may be recommended by your PCP.

If you have any questions about prenatal screenings, please ask your PCP.

What to eat during pregnancy

Healthy eating is key during pregnancy. This means eating nutritious foods. Most foods are safe for pregnant individuals. If you are pregnant:

Eat

  • A variety of proteins, including lean meat, poultry, eggs, and soy products
  • Fruits
  • Salmon, sardines, and trout (high in omega-3, low in mercury)
  • Low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, and chees
  • Vegetables, especially dark-green, red, and orange vegetables
  • Whole grains
  • Beans and peas
  • Unsalted nuts and seeds

Avoid

  • Undercooked meat, poultry, and seafood
  • Store-made salads and deli meats
  • Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tile fish (high in mercury)
  • Unpasteurized soft cheese, such as Brie, queso blanco, queso fresco, and blue cheese
  • Unpasteurized milk or juice
  • Refrigerated smoked seafood
  • Medicinal herbs and plants, unless your health care provider approves
  • Raw sprouts, including alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean

Pregnancy is broken down into three trimesters, each lasting about 12-14 weeks. Here are some milestones during each trimester: 

First Trimester (Weeks 1-12)
Go to your first prenatal visit to confirm pregnancy and start prenatal vitamins, as recommended by your PCP. Your PCP may do bloodtests and ultrasounds.
Second Trimester (Weeks 13-26)

You should get regular ultrasounds to check the baby’s growth and anatomy. A glucose screening test for gestational diabetes may be done around week 24-28.

Third Trimester (Weeks 27-40)

Go to your PCP for regular checkups to monitor the baby's position and health. Talk to your PCP about labor and delivery plans.

BabyCare-Program

Remember, each pregnancy is unique. Talk to your PCP about which plan for regular prenatal care is best for you and your baby.


Breast Pumps

Fidelis Care members can get either a manual or double electric single-user breast pump up to 60 days after their baby’s birth.

How to Get Breast Pumps

Breastfeeding Benefits

There are several benefits to breastfeeding, especially when a mother only breastfeeds without use of formula, including a faster recovery after childbirth.

Learn More

Postpartum Depression

During postpartum appointments, your provider may screen for postpartum depression (PPD). This screening helps your provider make sure you are getting the care and information needed to stay healthy.
Learn More