Women's Health

You should start planning for a pregnancy even before you’re expecting. Planning ahead can lessen the chances of birth defects and other pregnancy-related problems and increase the chances of you having a healthy pregnancy and delivery. 

As a Tufts Health Plan member, you can get a checkup with your primary care provider (PCP) or obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) once a year. During your appointment, your PCP or OB/GYN may:

• Ask about your family and medical history
• Check for tuberculosis, HIV, rubella and sexually transmitted infections
• Ask about immunizations
• Do a Pap test 
• Ask about domestic violence
• Ask about alcohol, tobacco and drug use
• Give you ideas about how to improve your health and safety, like using seat belts, getting exercise, quitting smoking and improving your diet
• Talk with you about the importance of taking folic acid daily before you become pregnant 
• Talk with you about prenatal vitamins

Let us know when you’re pregnant so that we can help you take advantage of special benefits for members who are pregnant or who have recently had a baby. As a Tufts Health Direct member, you get many covered benefits while you're pregnant, such as a free breast pump, breastfeeding support, maternity care and midwife services.

If you haven't already, you need to choose the provider who will deliver your baby. Choose this provider as soon as possible so that your provider can take care of you and your baby during your pregnancy. You can find a provider online or call us at 888-257-1985 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and we can help you find a provider.

Here are some of the things you can do to help keep yourself and your baby healthy during pregnancy:

• Eat healthy foods, like fruits and vegetables 
• Avoid potentially harmful foods, like undercooked meat and unpasteurized dairy products
• Drink lots of fluids
• Avoid alcohol and soda, and cut down on caffeine
• Take steps to reduce your stress. Talk with your provider if you need help managing stress

Remember to make an after-delivery (postpartum) appointment as soon after giving birth as possible. The days and weeks after birth are important ones for you and your baby. Use our searchable Find a Doctor, Hospital or Pharmacy tool if you need to find a doctor. Make sure you stay current on your child’s shots (immunizations). Shots can help keep kids healthy. Shots protect your child from harmful diseases like measles, chickenpox and hepatitis A and B.

At a postpartum visit, your primary care provider (PCP) and/or obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) can give you advice to help you feel better after delivery and more confident about caring for your new baby. Your provider(s) may suggest that you:

• Get lots of rest and be flexible with your sleeping and eating routines while you and your baby adjust
• Ease your body's soreness and discomfort with medications and cold/warm compresses
• Pay attention to your emotional health and learn the signs of postpartum depression (PPD). Baby blues are feelings of sadness you may have after having a baby. Baby blues can happen a few days after you give birth and can last up to two weeks. You may experience mood swings, crying, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Baby blues are not the same as PPD. PPD is more severe and long lasting and may include the following symptoms:
  • Continuous feelings of sadness and uncontrollable crying
  • Severe sleep problems – inability to sleep or sleeping too much
  • Changes in appetite – eating too little or too much
  • Excessive irritability, anger, worry or agitation
  • Extreme lack of energy and motivation
  • Inability to get pleasure from previously enjoyed activities
  • Lack of interest in the baby, friends and family
  • Extreme feelings of guilt, worthlessness, despair or hopelessness
  • Inability to concentrate or make decision
  • Thoughts of harming the baby or yourself

If you think you have signs or symptoms of PPD, call your health care provider right away. There are things you and your provider can do to help you feel better. If you’re worried about hurting yourself or your baby, call 911.

Breastfeeding can be good for both you and your baby because it may:

• Help you bond with your baby
• Boost the baby’s immune system
• Reduce the baby’s risk of dental decay, SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), allergies, serious diarrhea, and ear and respiratory infections
• Save you as much as $100 per month in formula cost
• Reduce your risk of breast cancer

The time between pregnancies is called “pregnancy spacing”. Choosing when to have another baby is a personal decision but waiting at least 18 months gives you enough time to fully recover from one pregnancy before becoming pregnant again. Pregnancies spaced less than 12 months apart are higher risk to the mother and the baby. Discuss options with your PCP or OB/GYN before you are discharged from the hospital after giving birth. Between pregnancies, you should continue with your regular health care and talk to your PCP.