Post on 27-Jul-2018
Color-Coded ContentsFAMILY PLANNING
PRENATAL CARE
FOOD
HOUSING
TRANSPORTATION
SOCIAL SUPPORT
SECONDHAND SMOKE EXPOSURE
SMOKING
ALCOHOL
DRUGS
STRESS, DEPRESSION, AND MENTAL HEALTH
ABUSE/VIOLENCE
ASTHMA
DIABETES
HYPERTENSION (high blood pressure)
INTERCONCEPTION HEALTH
INFANT HEALTH
INFANT SAFETY
FEEDING AND NUTRITION
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT
FAMILY SOCIAL SUPPORT, PARENTING AND CHILDCARE
FAMILY PLANNINGWHAT IS FAMILY PLANNING?u Familyplanningmeansusingbirthcontroltospaceyour
pregnancies.u It’sbesttowaitatleast18monthsaftergivingbirthbefore
gettingpregnantagain.u Therearemanydifferentmethodsofbirthcontrol(thepill,
patch,shot,sponge,condom,etc.).u Youcanchoosethemethodthat’sbestforyou.
WHY SHOULD I USE FAMILY PLANNING TO SPACE MY PREGNANCIES? u It’sbetterforyourhealth.u It’sbetterforyourbaby’shealth.u It’slessstressfulforyouwhenpregnanciesaren’ttooclose
together.
WHERE CAN I GET FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES?u Yourdoctor’soffice.u PlannedParenthood.u Yourlocalhealthdepartment.
HOW CAN I AFFORD FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES?u FamilyplanningiscoveredbyMedicaid.u IfyouarenotonMedicaid,yourcostsmaybecoveredby
anotherstateprogramcalled“PlanFirst!”
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FAMILY PLANNING?u YourMIHPworkeru Yourdoctoru Yourlocalhealthdepartment.u Onlineathttp://www.fda.gov/womens/healthinfomration/
birthcontrol.html.
PRENATAL CAREWHAT IS PRENATAL CARE?u Prenatalcareisthehealthcareyoureceivefromyourdoctor
duringpregnancy.u Atprenatalcarevisits,yourdoctorwill:
• Checktoseethatyouarehealthy.• Findouthowyourbabyisdeveloping.• Letyouknowwhattoexpectduringpregnancyandbirth.• Explainhowtotakegoodcareofyourselfandyourbaby.
WHY SHOULD I GET PRENATAL CARE?u Sothatyouandyourbabywillbeashealthyaspossible.u Sothatyoucangetanswerstoyourquestions.Don’tbe
afraidtoask!u Sothatifaproblemcomesup,yourdoctorcantakecareof
itrightaway.u Besureto:
• Keepallprenatalcareappointments• Followallofyourdoctor’srecommendations
HOW OFTEN ARE PRENATAL CARE VISITS?u Weeks1–28: Everymonthu Weeks29–35: Everytwoweeksu Week36–delivery: Everyweek
WHAT ARE SIGNS THAT SOMETHING COULD BE WRONG?u Persistentorsevereheadacheu Dizzinessorfaintingu Doubleorblurredvision;seeingspotsu Suddenswellingofface,hands,orfeetu Suddenweightgainu Vaginalbleedingu Feverand/orchillsu Severeorconstantvomitingu Suddengushorsteadytrickleofwaterfromthevaginau Steadyabdominalpain–notrelievedbyabowelmovementu Frequentand/orburningurination
PRENATAL CARE (continued)
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE ANY OF THESE SIGNS?u Callyourdoctor.u Ifnecessary,call911.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PRENATAL CARE?u Yourdoctoru YourMedicaidHealthPlanu YourMIHPworkeru Onlineat:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/prenatalcare.html.
FOODDOES WHAT I EAT WHILE I’M PREGNANT REALLY MATTER? u Yes!Yourbabyneedsnutritiontoformahealthybrainand
strongbonesandmuscles.u Eatmorehealthyfood:fruits,vegetables,grains,pasteurized
dairyproducts,leanmeatsandbeans.u Eatless“junk”food:store-boughtcookies,chips,candy,etc.
Junkfoodishighinfat,saltandcaloriesanditdoesn’thelpyourbabygrow.
u Askyourdoctoraboutfoodsyoushouldavoidaltogether.u “Eatingfortwo”doesn’tmeanpiggingout.Itmeans
choosingnutritiousfoodsforyourbaby.
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO EAT HEALTHY FOOD WHEN IT COSTS SO MUCH? u OnewaytogethealthyfoodistosignupforWICfood
coupons.WICisshortfor“SpecialSupplementalNutritionProgramforWomen,InfantsandChildren.”
u WICcanalsohelpyoulearnmoreabout:• Nutritiousfoodintakeduringpregnancy• Gainingtherightamountofweight• Theimportanceofprenatalvitamins• Breastfeeding• Whattodoifyouhavespecialnutritionalrisks(anemia,
obesity,gestationaldiabetes,afooddisorder,etc.)
WHAT DO I DO IF I RUN OUT OF FOOD BEFORE I HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY MORE?u It’scriticaltohaveaback-upplanincaseyougetlowon
food.Yourbabyneedsnutritiousfoodeveryday.u Findoutaboutfoodbanksandotheremergencyfood
programsinyourarea.
IS THERE A WAY FOR ME TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO BUY, STORE AND PREPARE HEALTHY FOODS?u TheExpandedFoodandNutritionEducationProgram
(EFNEP)canhelpyouwiththis.EFNEPisrunbyMichiganStateUniversityExtension.
FOOD (continued)
u Ifyoudon’thaveastoveorrefrigerator,theremaybecommunityresourcestohelpyouwiththis.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT NUTRITIOUS FOOD?u YourMIHPworkeru Yourdoctoru WIC.TofindyourlocalWICagency,call:
1-800-26-BIRTH.
HOUSINGWHAT IF MY BABY AND I DON’T HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE?u Thereareagenciesthatcanhelpyoufindhousing.u Theycanhelpyoufindatemporaryplacetoliveifyouhave
noplacetogo.u Theyalsocanhelpyoufindapermanentplacetolive.
WHAT IF MY HOUSE OR APARTMENT IS IN AN UNSAFE NEIGHBORHOOD?u Ifyouliveinahigh-crimeneighborhood,youshouldhavea
safetyplaninmind.u Thismeansknowingexactlywhatyouwoulddoifyouwere
threatened–whoyouwouldcallandwhereyouwouldgo.u Alwayslockentrydoors,cardoors,windows,etc.Youmaybeabletogetyourlocalpolicetocomeanddoasafety
inspection.
HOW DO I KEEP MY BABY SAFE FROM ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS IN OUR HOME?u Findouthowtopreventleadpoisoning.Leadcanbefoundin
oldpaint,householddust,soil,andsomeceramics.u Findouthowtopreventproblemscausedbytoxichousehold
chemicals.Thesechemicalsareincleaningproducts,pesticides,paint,andautomotiveproducts.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FINDING HOUSING AND KEEPING MY BABY SAFE FROM ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS? u YourMIHPworkeru Yourlocalhealth
department.
TRANSPORTATIONHOW IMPORTANT IS TRANSPORTATION NOW THAT I’M PREGNANT?u It’sveryimportantforyoutohavetransportationwhileyou
arepregnant.u Youneedtransportationyoucancounton.u YouneedittogettoprenatalcareandtoWIC.u Youalsomayneedittogettochildbirthclasses,mental
health,orsubstanceabuseservices.
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE TRANSPORTATION I CAN COUNT ON?u YourMIHPandyourMedicaidHealthPlan:
• Cangetyoutopregnancy-relatedservices.• Can’tgetyoutothegrocerystoreorlaundromat.
u DepartmentofHumanServicesalsomaybeabletosetuptransportation.
u Also,somevolunteergroupsmayproviderides.
WHAT IF I HAVE A RIDE SET UP, BUT IT FALLS THROUGH AT THE LAST MINUTE?u Youneedtohaveaback-upplan.u Keepphonenumbersfor:
• MIHPtransportationperson• MedicaidHealthPlantransportationperson• Family,friendsandneighborswithcars• Someoneatyourplaceofworship• Cabcompanies• Publictransportation
u Youshouldalsohaveaplanincaseyouneedemergencytransportation.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TRANSPORTATION? u YourMIHPworkeru YourMedicaidHealthPlan.
SOCIAL SUPPORTWHAT IS SOCIAL SUPPORT?u Socialsupportmeanshavingpeopletoturntowhenyou
needthem.u Supportivepeople:
• Listentoyou.• Treatyouwithkindnessandrespect.• Helpyoufigureouthowtosolveproblems.
WHY IS SOCIAL SUPPORT IMPORTANT DURING PREGNANCY?u Weallneedsocialsupport,especiallywhenwegothrough
biglifechanges.u Pregnancyisaverybiglifechangeandcanbestressfulat
times.u Itcanbeextrastressfulwhenyoudon’thaveenoughmoney.u Itcanalsobeextrastressfulwhenyoudon’thaveapartner
oryourpartnerdoesn’tsupportyou.u It’sveryimportanttofindpeoplewhowillsupportyou.
ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOCIAL SUPPORT?u Yes,therearethreedifferenttypes:
1. Emotional Support–Thepersonlistens,showstheyunderstandwhatyou’regoingthrough,encouragesyou,andremindsyouthatyou’reagoodperson.
2. Informational Support–Thepersongivesyouinformationandideas,andhelpsyouthinkthroughdifferentwaystosolveaproblem.
3. Hands-on Support–Thepersongivesyoumoneyorfood,takescareofyourkids,givesyouaride,etc.).
u Youmayormaynotgetallthreetypesofsupportfromthesameperson.
u WhogivesYOUeachofthesethreetypesofsupport?
WHAT IF I’M NOT GETTING ENOUGH SOCIAL SUPPORT?u Thenyou’renottheonlyone.Therearemanypregnant
womenandmomswithoutasupportivepartner,familymemberorfriend.
SOCIAL SUPPORT (continued)
u Ifyoudon’thaveenoughsocialsupportrightnow,yourMIHPworkercan“bethere”foryouandhelpyoufindotherpeopleorprogramstosupportyou.
u Sometimes,apregnantwomanormomwhodoesn’thaveenoughsocialsupportcanstarttofeelveryaloneanddown.Youneedtoknowwhoyouwillcallincasethiseverhappenstoyou.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SOCIAL SUPPORT? u YourMIHPworker
SECONDHAND SMOKE EXPOSURE
WHAT IS SECONDHAND SMOKE?u Secondhandsmokeissmokethatasecondpersonbreathes
inwhensomeoneelseissmoking.u Itisharmfultoinfants,childrenandadults.
HOW DOES SECONDHAND SMOKE EXPOSURE AFFECT MY BABY?u Secondhandsmokeduringpregnancycancauseababyto
bebornatlowbirthweight.Thiscanleadtolife-longhealthproblemsandlearningdelays.
u Exposingyourbabytosecondhandsmokewhenyou’repregnantisjustasharmfulasifyouweresmokingyourself.
u Secondhandsmokeisalsodangerousafteryourbabyisborn.
u Babiesexposedtosecondhandsmoke:• AremorelikelytodiefromSIDS(SuddenInfantDeath
Syndrome).• Areatgreaterriskforasthma,bronchitis,pneumonia,
earinfections,andrespiratorysymptoms.• Mayexperienceslowlunggrowth.• Getmoreasthmaattacksaschildren.
u There’snosafelevelofexposuretosecondhandsmoke.u Wouldyouwantyourbabytosmokeacigarette?Remember
thatsecondhandsmokeexposureisjustasbad.
WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN JUST ABOUT EVERYONE I KNOW IS A SMOKER?u Asapregnantwoman,youhavetheresponsibilitytoask
othersnottosmokearoundyou.u It’shardatfirst,butyou’rethemom!You’retheonewhohas
toprotectyourbaby.You’retheonewhowillhavetocareforthebabywhenheorshehasasthmaorotherproblemsduetosecondhandsmoke.
SECONDHAND SMOKE EXPOSURE (continued)
u Youneedaclearplantoavoidsecondhandsmokeinyourhome:• Askfamilymembersandvisitorstopleasesmoke
outdoors.• Thankthemforsmokingoutdoors.Tellthemyoureally
appreciateit.• Ifsomeonegivesyouahardtimeaboutit,say“Sorry,but
I’mnottakinganychanceswithmybaby’shealth.”u Stayawayfromotherplaceswherepeoplearesmoking.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SECONDHAND SMOKE? u YourMIHPworker
SMOKINGI KNOW LOTS OF WOMEN WHO SMOKED WHILE THEY WERE PREGNANT, AND THEIR BABIES ARE OKAY. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO QUIT? u Wehavelotsofproofthatsmokingwhilepregnantisvery
harmfultoyourbaby.Infact,it’soneoftheworsethingsyoucando.
u Justbecauseanothersmoker’sbabyseemstobeokay,doesn’tmeanyourbabywillbeokay.
u Also,youdon’treallyknowwhatlong-termhealthproblemsanothersmoker’sbabywillenduphaving.
HOW DOES SMOKING WHILE PREGNANT HURT MY BABY?u Yourbaby’sbraingetslessoxygen,whichcanimpairyour
baby’sgrowth.u Itcanimpairyourbaby’sbreathingafterbirth.u Itincreasestheriskthatyourbabywillbeborntooearly.u ItincreasestheriskofSuddenInfantDeathSyndrome.u Itincreasestheriskthatyourbabywillhavelearning
problems.u Itincreasestheriskthatyourbabywillhavebehavior
problems,includinghyperactivity.
I TRIED TO QUIT BEFORE AND I JUST COULDN’T DO IT. WHY SHOULD I THINK IT WILL BE ANY DIFFERENT IF I TRY AGAIN?u Becausethistimeyouhavethemostimportantmotivationof
all-yourbaby’shealthisatstake.u Becausetherearedifferentwaystoquitandyouprobably
haven’ttriedthemall.u Becausesmokingisn’ttheonlywaytocopewithstress–
youcanlearnotherwaysthatwon’thurtyourbaby.u Becauseyouwillsavealotofmoneythatyoucanspendon
yourbaby.u Becauseit’salwaysworthittotrytoquit-youneverknow
whichtimewillbethetimeyouthatyousucceed.
SMOKING (continued)
HOW CAN I QUIT WHEN MOST OF MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE SMOKERS?u It’shard,ofcourse,buttherearesomethingsyoucando:
• Letyourpartner,familyandfriendsknowthatyouarequittingforyourbaby.
• Askfortheirsupport.• Thankthemfornotsmokingaroundyouandyourbaby.• Askthemtoquitwithyou.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT TO QUIT SMOKING? u Yourdoctor.u YourMIHPworkerYourMedicaidHealthPlan.
ALCOHOLWHAT HAPPENS TO MY BABY IF I DRINK ALCOHOL WHILE I’M PREGNANT?u Alcoholcanhurtyourbaby’sbrain,heart,kidneysandother
organs.u Yourbabycouldbebornwithfetalalcoholsyndrome(FAS).
• BabiesbornwithFAShavefacesthatdonotlook“normal.”
• Theymaybelow-birthweight,sotheymaynotbeofftoasgoodastartinlifeasotherbabies.
• SomebabieswithFAShavementalretardation.• Othershavelearningorbehaviorproblems.
u EvenifyourbabyisnotbornwithFAS,heorshestillmayhavelearningorbehaviorproblems.
u Theseproblemslastalifetime.u Justbecauseanotherdrinker’sbabyseemstobeokay,
doesn’tmeanyourbabywillbeokay.u Also,youdon’treallyknowwhatlong-termhealthproblems
anotherdrinker’sbabywillenduphaving.
WHAT IF I JUST HAVE A BEER OR A GLASS OF WINE AND DON’T GET DRUNK?u There’snosafelevelofalcoholyoucandrinkduring
pregnancy.u A12-ouncecanofbeerhasthesamealcoholcontentasa
4-ounceglassofwineor1-ounceofhardliquor.u Somedrinks,likewinecoolersormaltormixeddrinks,may
havemorealcoholthana12-ouncecanofbeer.u Thebestchoiceisnottodrinkatallwhenyouarepregnant.
WHAT IF I CAN’T STOP DRINKING WHILE I’M PREGNANT? u Itcanbeveryhardtostopdrinking.Buttherearemany
peopleandprogramstohelpyou.u Youcangetfreehelpfrompeoplewhoknowwhatyouare
goingthrough.
ALCOHOL (continued)
u Evenifyouhavetriedtostopdrinkingbefore,tryagain.Don’tgiveup.
u Michiganhasspecialtreatmentprogramsforpregnantandpostpartumwomenwhowanttoquitdrinking.
u Quittingdrinkingisoneofthebestthingsyoucandoforyourbabyandyourself.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT TO QUIT DRINKING? u Yourdoctor.u YourMIHPworkeru YourMedicaidHealthPlan.u AlcoholicsAnonymous(AA).Thenumberisinyour
phonebook.
DRUGSWHAT HAPPENS TO MY BABY AND ME IF I USE DRUGS WHILE I’M PREGNANT?Street drugsu Streetdrugscanbeverydangerous.u Ifyoutakestreetdrugswhileyou’repregnant,theycan
resultin:• Prematurelabor• Miscarriage• Lowbirth-weight(putsbabyatriskforillnessanddelays
indevelopment)• Yourplacentacanseparatefromyouruterus,causing:
- Yourbaby’sdeath- Yourdeath
Legal prescription drugsu Someprescriptiondrugsclearlycausebirthdefects.u Othersmaycauselong-termeffectsthatarehardertoprove,
suchasbehaviorproblems.u Stillothersareabsolutelynecessaryforyourhealthoryour
baby’shealth.u Alwaysaskyourdoctorbeforeyoustart,stop,orchangethe
dosageofaprescriptiondrug.Alloftheseactionscancausebighealthissuesforyouandyourbaby.
u Alwaystakeprescriptiondrugsasdirectedbyyourdoctor.Over-the-counter drugsu Someofthebest-knownmedicinesfromthedrugstore
canbeharmfultoyourbabyifyoutakethemwhileyou’repregnant.
u Sowhatdoyoudoifyouhaveabadcold,asplittingheadache,orconstipation?
u Alwaysaskyourdoctorbeforeusingover-the-counterdrugswhilepregnant.
Dietary supplementsu Dietarysupplementsincludevitamins,minerals,herbsand
aminoacids.
DRUGS (continued)
u Yourdoctormighthaveyoutakecertainvitaminsandmineralsduringpregnancy.
u Alwaysaskyourdoctorbeforetakinganyotherdietarysupplements.
u Mostdietarysupplementshavenotbeenproventobesafeduringpregnancy.
I KNOW WOMEN WHO USED DRUGS DURING PREGNANCY AND THEIR BABIES ARE OKAY. WHY SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT USING DRUGS WHILE I’M PREGNANT?u Justbecauseanotherdruguser’sbabyseemstobeokay,
doesn’tmeanyourbabywillbeokay.u Also,youdon’treallyknowwhatlong-termhealthproblems
anotherdruguser’sbabywillenduphaving.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT TO QUIT DRUGS? u Yourdoctor.u YourMIHPworkeru YourMedicaidHealthPlan.
STRESS, DEPRESSION, AND
MENTAL HEALTHWHAT IS PERINATAL DEPRESSION?u It’sdepressionthatoccursduringpregnancyorpostpartum.
Postpartummeanswithinayearaftergivingbirth.u ItisVERYcommon.u Itcanbemild,moderateorsevere.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I MIGHT BE DEPRESSED?u Womenwithperinataldepressionusuallysensethat
“something’snotright.”u Wouldyouanswer“yes”toanyfollowingstatements?
• Ifeelverysadandhopelessmoredaysthannot.• I’mnotenjoyinglifelikeIusedto.• Iblamemyselfforeverything.• Iworryabouteverything.• I’mafraidandIdon’tknowwhy.• Ifeeloverwhelmedandhaveahardtimecoping.• Icryalot.• IhavetroublesleepingbecauseI’msounhappy.• Iwanttosleepallthetime.• I’mconfusedanddistracted.• Igetangryveryeasily.• Idon’tthinkIwillbeagoodmother.• Ihavethoughtsofharmingmyselforothers.• Ihearvoicesorseethingsthataren’tthere.
u Ifyouanswered“yes”toanyofthesestatements,youmaybedepressed.You-arenotalone.Manypregnantwomenandnewmomshavethesesamethoughtsandfeelings.
HOW DOES PERINATAL DEPRESSION AFFECT MY BABY? u Yourbabycould:
• Beborntoosmallortooearly.
STRESS, DEPRESSION, AND MENTAL HEALTH (continued)
• Befussyandjittery,havefeedingorsleepingproblems.• Endupwithlearningproblemsorwithbehavior
problems• It’sharderforyouandyourbabytoformastrong
emotionalattachmenttoeachother.Attachmentisimportanttoyourbaby’sdevelopment.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PERINATAL DEPRESSION? u Yourdoctor.u YourMIHPworkeru YourMedicaidHealthPlan.u Onlineathttp://www.mededppd.org/
ABUSE/VIOLENCE WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?u It’sphysical,emotional,orsexualabusebyyourcurrent(or
past)partner.u Domesticviolence:
• Isaboutgettingcontroloveranotherperson.• Canresultinseriousinjuriesandlife-longdisabilities.• Happenstopeoplewhoaredating,livingtogether,or
married.• Happenstopeopleofallages,races,incomelevels,and
faiths.• Happensoverandoveragain,eveniftheabuser
promisesitwon’t.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M REALLY IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP?u Ifyouanswer“yes”tooneormoreofthefollowingquestions,
areprobablyinanabusiverelationship.Doesyourpartner:• Embarrassyou?• Callyounames?• Putyoudown?• Shoveyou,slapyou,kickyou,orhityou?• Say“I’msorry”,butthendoitagainlater.• Lookatyouoractinwaysthatscareyou?• Makeyoufeelworthless?• Sayit’syourfault,orblameyouorothersforeverything?• Controlwhatyoudo,whoyouseeortalkto,orwhere
yougo?• Stopyoufromseeingortalkingtofriendsorfamily?• Takeyourmoneyorrefusetogiveyoumoney?• Tellyouyou’reabadparent?• Threatentotakeawayorhurtyourchildren?• Destroyyourpropertyorthreatentokillyourpets?• Threatentokillhimselforherself?• Threatentokillyou?
ABUSE/VIOLENCE (continued)
HOW DOES IT AFFECT MY BABY IF I’M ABUSED WHILE I’M PREGNANT?u Riskstoyourbaby:
• Braindamage• Brokenbones• Slowgrowth• Hears,reactsandfeelstheviolencethemother
experiences
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT TO QUIT DRUGS? u TheNationalDomesticViolenceHotLinecanlinkyoutothe
domesticviolenceprograminyourarea.1-800-799-7233orTTY1-800-787-3224.
u Yourdoctor.u YourMIHPworker
ASTHMAHOW WILL MY ASTHMA AFFECT MY BABY AND ME DURING MY PREGNANCY?u Duringpregnancy,asthmacancutbackontheoxygenyour
babygetsfromyou.u Ifyourasthmaisproperlycontrolled,itshouldn’tbea
problemforyouoryourbaby.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY ASTHMA ISN’T PROPERLY CONTROLLED?u Ifyourasthmaisnotcontrolled,riskstoyourhealthinclude:
• Highbloodpressureduringthepregnancy.• Preeclampsia,aconditionthatcauseshighblood
pressureandcanaffecttheplacenta,kidneys,liver,andbrain.
• Morethannormalvomitingearlyinpregnancy• Laborthatdoesnotoccurnaturally(yourdoctorstartsit)
andmaybecomplicated.u Riskstoyourbabyinclude:
• Deathimmediatelybeforeorafterbirth• Abnormallyslowgrowthofthebaby.• Whenborn,thebabyappearssmall.• Pretermbirth(beforeweek37).• Lowbirthweight.
u Themorecontrolyouhaveoveryourasthma,thelessriskthereis.
HOW DO I MAKE SURE MY ASTHMA IS PROPERLY CONTROLLED?u Youneedtohaveanasthmaactionplanandfollowit
carefully.Thiswillhelpyoucontrolinflammationandpreventandcontrolasthmaattacks.
u Talkwithyourdoctoraboutyouractionplan.Itmayinclude:• Drugstocontrolyourasthma.• Drugstocontrolyourallergies.
ASTHMA (continued)
• Identifyingthethingsthattriggeryourasthmaattacksandwaystodecreaseyourexposuretothem.
• Payingattentiontofetalmovementssoyouwillnoticeifthere’slessfetalactivityduringanasthmaattack.
• Havinganemergencyplanincaseofproblems.u It’sveryimportanttokeepyourdoctor’sappointmentsand
followyourdoctor’srecommendations.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ASTHMA AND PREGNANCY? u Yourdoctor.u YourMIHPworkeru YourMedicaidHealthPlan.
DIABETESWHAT IS DIABETES?u Awomanmayhavediabetesbeforeshegetspregnant.This
meansthatherbodydoesn’tmakeenoughinsulinorthatherinsulindoesn’tworkright.So,herglucose(bloodsugar)levelgetstoohigh.
u Awomanmaybetoldshehasdiabetesforthefirsttimewhilesheispregnant.Thisiscalledgestationaldiabetes.Itusuallygoesawayafterpregnancy.
HOW CAN DIABETES AFFECT MY BABY AND ME?u Toomuchglucoseinyourbloodcanbeharmfultoyouand
yourbaby.u Riskstoyourhealthinclude:
• Highbloodpressure• HavingalargebabyandneedingaC-sectionatdelivery
u Riskstoyourbaby’shealthinclude:• Beingbornverylargeandwithextrafat.Thiscanmake
deliverydifficultandmoredangerousforyourbaby.• Lowglucoselevelrightafterbirth• Breathingproblems
WHAT ARE SIGNS THAT SOMETHING COULD BE WRONG?u Vaginalbleedingu Sharpbackpainu Burningorpainfulurinationu Aninfectionu Dizzinessorfaintingu Rapidweightgainu Swellinginthehands,faceorfeetu Severenauseawithhighbloodsugaru Adecreaseinyourbaby’smovement
DIABETES (continued)
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE ANY OF THESE SIGNS?u Callyourdoctor.u Ifnecessary,call911.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DIABETES AND PREGNANCY? u Yourdoctor.u YourMIHPworkeru YourMedicaidHealthPlan
HYPERTENSION(high blood pressure)
HOW WILL MY HYPERTENSION AFFECT MY BABY AND ME WHILE I’M PREGNANT?u Chronichypertensionishighbloodpressure(HBP)starting
beforepregnancyorbeforethe20thweekofpregnancy.Itdoesn’tgoawayafterdelivery.
u Itcancauseseriousproblems.However,problemscanusuallybepreventedwithproperprenatalcare.MostwomenwithHBPhavehealthypregnancies.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF HYPERTENSION FOR MY BABY AND ME?u Youcouldhaveaheartattackorstroke.u Yourbabycouldbeborntoosoon(pretermdelivery).u Yourbabycouldweightoolittle(lowbirthweight).u Yourplacentacouldseparatefromyouruterusduring
delivery.Thiscancauseheavybleedingandshock.Itcanplaceyouandyourbabyindanger.
u Youcouldhaveaconditioncalledpreeclampsia.Thishappensto1ofevery4pregnantwomenwithHBP.Ifuntreated,thiscanleadtoeclampsia.Eclampsiacancauseseizuresandcoma.However,eclampsiaisrareinwomenwhogetregularprenatalcare.
WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS OF PREECLAMPSIA? u Headachesu Visiontroubleu Quickweightgainu Swellingofthehandsandfaceu Painintherightupperbelly
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HBP AND PREGNANCY? u Yourdoctor.u YourMIHPworkeru YourMedicaidHealthPlan.
INTERCONCEPTION HEALTH
WHAT IS INTERCONCEPTION HEALTH?u Interconceptionisthetimebetweenpregnancies.u Usethistimetomakesureyouarehealthy.u Thisisespeciallyimportantifyoueverhada:
• Babywithlow-birthweightorhealthproblems• Miscarriage• Stillbirth
WHAT CAN I DO TO IMPROVE MY HEALTH SO MY NEXT BABY WILL BE AS HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE?u Yourdoctorcanlookatyourrisksandhelpyougetthe
careyouneedbeforeyougetpregnantagain.Thiswillgiveyouthebestchancetostayhealthyyourselfanddeliverahealthybaby.
u It’simportantto:• Keepyourinterconceptioncareappointments.• Followyourdoctor’srecommendations.
WHAT DOES INTERCONCEPTION CARE INCLUDE?u Familyplanningservices.(Waitatleast18monthsafter
givingbirthtogetpregnantagain.)u Updatingvaccinations.u Treatinginfections.u Controllingchronicconditions,suchasasthma,
hypertension,anddiabetes.u Limitingcontactwithtoxicsubstances,suchaslead,
mercuryandpesticides.u Counselingandsupport:
• Toeatrightandtakefolicacid.• Togainorloseweight.
INTERCONCEPTION HEALTH (continued)
• Togetmoreexercise.• Toquitsmoking.• Toavoidsecondhandsmoke.• Forpossiblegeneticrisks.• Foralcoholproblems.• Fordrugproblems.• Fordepression,anxietyorstress.• Fordomesticviolence.
HOW DO I GET INTERCONCEPTION CARE WHEN MY MEDICAID ENDS?u AccesstoHealthCareInfoonfreeandlow-cost
medicalcareprovidersisavailableontheMIHPwebsitewww.michigan.gov/mihp.
INFANT HEALTHHOW DO I KEEP MY BABY HEALTHY?u Baby’sroutineisimportant(includingsleep/wakeschedule,
feedingstrategies,hungercues,hydration,physicalactivity,bathing).
u Don’tletanyonesmokeinyourhome,car,oranywherenearyourbaby.Secondhandsmokecancausebreathing,learning,andbehaviorproblems.
u Keepyourbabyawayfrompeoplewhohavecolds.Makesurethatpeoplewhoholdyourbabyhavecleanhandsandwashyourhandsaftereverydiaperchange.
u Cleanyourbaby’sgumswithaclothdampenedwithwatertwiceaday.Thiswillhelppreventtoothdecaywhenherteethcomein.Also,don’tgiveyourbabysugarydrinksorletherfallasleepwithabottleinhermouth.
u Gentlyhold,hug,cuddle,andcomfortyoubaby.Youcan’toverdoit.Thisishowyourbabygetsemotionallyattachedtoyou.Attachmentisveryimportanttoyourbaby’slong-termhealthanddevelopment.
WHEN DO I TAKE MY BABY TO THE DOCTOR?u Takeyourbabytothedoctorforwell-childvisits.Thesevisits
areusuallyat1,2,4,6,9and12months.Medicaidpaysforthem.
u Keepyourbaby’simmunizationsuptodatetoprotectagainstterriblediseases.
u Callthedoctorifyourbaby:• Hasafeverover100.4degrees• Refusestoeat• Haspersistentvomitingordiarrhea• Isfussierthanunusual• Issleepingmorethanusual• Iswheezingorhastroublebreathing• Ispullingonhisearsalot
INFANT HEALTH (continued)
u Followthedoctor’srecommendations.u Askthedoctorbeforeyougiveyourbabyover-the-counter
medicine.u Alwayskeepyourdoctor’sphonenumberwhereyoucanfind
it.Youmightneeditinahurry.u YourMIHPworkercanhelpyoufindababydoctorifyou
don’thaveone.
INFANT SAFETYHOW DO I MAKE SURE MY BABY IS SAFE?u PutyourbabytosleeponhisbackEVERYTIMEandinacrib
–notonacouch,bedorpillow.Don’tputstuffedtoys,loosebeddingorblanketsinthecrib.
u Donotsleepwiththebabyinyourbed.Youcouldrolloverandsmotherher.
u PlaceyourbabyinacarsafetyseatEVERYTIMEhe/sheridesinthecar.
u NEVERholdyourbabyinyourlapwhileyouaredrivingorridinginacar.
u NEVERleaveyourbabyaloneinthecar–notevenforonesecond.
u NEVERshakeyourbaby.Babieshaveveryweakneckmusclesthatarenotyetabletosupporttheirheads.Ifyoushakeyourbabyyoucandamagehisbrainanddelaynormaldevelopment.
u NEVERhityourbaby.u Neverletanyoneelseshakeorhityourbaby.Beverycareful
aboutwhoyouletbabysitforyou.u Don’tleaveyourbabyaloneinaroomwithsmallchildrenor
pets.u NEVERleaveyourbabyaloneinbathwater–evenfora
second.u Keepthebathroomdoorclosed.Yourbabycandrownina
toilet.u Keepyourbabyawayfrompools,ponds,andcreeks.u Askyourdoctortotestyourbabyforleadpoisoning.u Donotallowgunsordrugsinyourhome.u Keepknivesandmatchesoutofreach.u Putchildsafetyplugsinallopenelectricaloutlets.u Putgatesacrossstepsandstairs.u Lockthedoorstobalconiesanddecks.u Putbabylocksoncabinetsandtieupcordsfrommini-blinds
anddrapesoutofbaby’sreach.
INFANT SAFETY (continued)
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT KEEPING MY BABY SAFE?u YourMIHPworkeru YourlocalSafeKidsofficeu Onlineatwww.michigan.gov/mihp
FEEDING AND NUTRITION
WHAT IS WIC?u WICisafoodprogramforfamilieswithlowtomiddle
incomes.Pregnantwomen,moms,babies,andchildrenuptoage5cangetWICfood.WICfoodisworth$30-$112ormorepermonthperperson.WICcanalsohelpwithnutritioneducationandbreastfeeding.
u WICisagreatdealforyouandyourbaby!
WHY DO DOCTORS SAY THAT BREASTFEEDING IS BEST FOR MY BABY?u Breastmilkhelpsyourbaby’sbraingrow.u It’seasiertodigest-yourbabywillhavelessdiarrheaand
won’tspitupasmuch.u Yourbabywillbehealthier,withfewercolds,earinfections,
andallergies.u Yourbabywillbelesslikelytohaveasthmaorjuvenile
diabetes.u It’saspecialexperiencethatstrengthensthebondbetween
youandyourbaby.u There’snocost.u Youdon’thavetosterilizebottleandnipples.u Itburnscaloriesandcanhelpyouloseweight.
WHAT ABOUT BOTTLE FEEDING?u Askyourdoctorwhatkindofformulaisbestforyourbaby.u Followformulamixinginstructionscarefully.u Neverheatformulainthemicrowave–itcangettoohot.u Alwayscheckthetemperaturebyshakingafewdropson
yourwrist.u Holdherheadupalittlehigherthanhertummy.u Holdthebottomofthebottleupsothatthenipplestaysfull
offormula.
FEEDING AND NUTRITION (continued)
u Throwoutanyformulathat’sleftafterafeeding.u Donotgiveyourbabyfluidsotherthanbreastmilk–nofruit
juiceorothersugarydrinks.u Donotletyourbabyfallasleepwiththebottleinhismouth.u NEVERlayyourbabydownandpropherbottle.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FEEDING MY BABY?u YourMIHPworkeru YourWICoffice.u Onlineatwww.michigan.gov/mihp
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT
MIHP WILL DO DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING FOR YOUR BABY.
SCREENING WILL COVER DIFFERENT AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT:
4 Grossmotor4 Finemotor4 Communication4 Problem-solving4 Personal-social4 Social-emotional
HOW CAN I HELP MY BABY’S SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT?u Yourbaby’sveryfirstrelationshipiswithyou.Yourjobisto
teachherthatherlittleworldisasafeplaceandthatsheisloved.Quicklyrespondtoherneedsandbeverygentleandloving.Thenyouandshewillformastrongemotionalattachmenttoeachother.Thisisthemostimportantthingyoucandotohelpyourbaby’sdevelopment.
u Whenyourbabyisfussyorcrying,trytouncoverrealreasonforhisbehavior(scared,hungry,thirsty,cold,hot,etc.).
WHAT SIGNS OF SHOULD I WATCH OUT FOR THAT COULD INDICATE MY BABY NEEDS A DEVELOPMENTAL EVALUATION?u Frombirthto12months:
• Haseatingdifficulties;isnotgainingweightorislosingweight;notgrowingphysically
• Hassleepingdifficulties(sleepstoomuchortoolittle)• Showslittlepreferenceforanyparticularadult• Resistsholding• Criesforprolongedperiods• Ishardtoconsole• Rarelymakeseyecontactwithothers
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT (continued)
• Doesn’tshowinterestinpeopleorthingsgoingonaroundhimorher
• Doesn’trespondtosimplegameslikepeek-a-boo
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HELPING MY BABY’S DEVELOPMENT?u YourMIHPworkeru Onlineatwww.michigan.gov/mihp
FAMILY SOCIAL SUPPORT, PARENTING
AND CHILDCAREWHAT IS FAMILY SOCIAL SUPPORT?u Familysocialsupportmeanshavingpeopletoturntowhen
youneedhelpasaparent.u Supportivepeople:
• Listentoyou.• Treatyouwithkindnessandrespect.• Helpyoufigureouthowtosolvetheproblemsthatcome
withbeingaparent.• Giveyoupracticalhelp,suchastakingcareofyourbaby
whenyouneedabreak.
WHERE DO I GO TO GET HELP WITH CHILDCARE?u Youneedpeopletocareforyourbabywhenyouneedtogo
somewherewithoutyourbabyorifyouneedabreakfromyourbaby.Thesepeoplemightinclude:• Fatherofbaby• Baby’sgrandparentsorotherrelatives(includingolder
children)• Friendsorneighbors• Peopleatplaceofworship• Drop-inchildcareprogram
u TheDept.ofHumanServices(DHS)mayhelpyoupayforchildcareifyouworkorgotoschool.DHSmaypayforchildcareat:• Childcarecenters,familyhomes(upto6kids),and
grouphomes(upto12kids).• Arelative’shomeorinyourhome,ifyourprovidergoes
totraining.
FAMILY SOCIAL SUPPORT, PARENTING AND CHILDCARE (continued)
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PARENTING AND CHILDCARE SUPPORT? u Yourdoctor.u YourMIHPworkeru DHSchildcarewebsite.u Onlineatwww.michigan.gov/mihp.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF SO YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF
YOUR BABY!YOU ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN THE WORLD TO YOUR BABY. YOU NEED TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF, SO YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF YOUR BABY. u Seeyourdoctorforyourpostpartumvisit.u Usefamilyplanning(birthcontrol).u Waitatleast18monthsaftergivingbirthbeforegetting
pregnantagain.u Findsomeonetocareforyourbabysoyoucantakebreaksu Whenyoufeeldownoralone,reachoutforsupport
Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP)
Michigan Department of Community Health
MIHP website: www.michigan.gov/mihpFollow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/MyMIHP
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