What You Need To Know

If you are thinking about having a baby or maybe you are already expecting a child, here are some things you need to know about planning, eating, exercising and avoiding harmful situations. In addition, you need to know how we pay for maternity related care under your Service Benefit Plan coverage.

Preparing For Your Pregnancy

If you are planning a pregnancy, one of the first steps you should take is to see your physician. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that you see your physician for a pre-conception exam if you are planning to get pregnant. This gives you the opportunity to discuss your current lifestyle, any vitamins, over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs you are taking, and your medical history with your physician. Discussing your plans with your physician will help you plan your pregnancy and make your physician and you aware of any current risks to your baby. It is also important because you may become pregnant before you are aware of the baby.

Once you have met with your physician and discussed your pregnancy, you may discover that you have a higher risk for miscarriage or complications during your pregnancy. If that is the case, you should also discuss any restrictions or limitations regarding diet and exercise to make sure you have a healthy pregnancy.

Eating For Two

Eating a healthy diet before and during your pregnancy is essential. Basically a variety of foods, fruits, grains, dairy and most protein food sources, are good choices for both the baby and you. Your physician may also suggest increasing the amount of folic acid in your diet which can protect your baby against some birth defects and your physician may prescribe prenatal vitamins.

There a couple of exceptions. You should avoid eating excessive amounts of certain kinds of fish, including tuna, swordfish and shark, which may contain high levels of mercury. Canned light tuna, shrimp, salmon and catfish are fine. Further, you should avoid foods that may contain the listeria bacteria, which may cause miscarriage, premature birth and other complications during your pregnancy. This includes unpasteurized milk and soft cheeses like feta, brie, camembert, Roquefort and queso blanco, refrigerated meat spreads and pates, and hot dogs and deli meats unless they are heated. Undercooked eggs, raw eggs and eggnog made with uncooked eggs should also be avoided because they may be contaminated with salmonella.

You often hear when a woman is pregnant that she is now eating for two. Diet and the amount of weight gain during a pregnancy is really based upon your health. You should discuss your diet and allowable weight gain for a safe pregnancy with your physician. You should also discuss your caffeine consumption with your physician to find out what amount each day is acceptable.

Exercising During Your Pregnancy

Getting moderate exercise is a great idea to help you stay healthy and feel your best. It can improve your posture and decrease some common discomforts, such as backaches and fatigue. Walking, golfing, bowling and swimming are all safe and healthy suggestions. Contact sports, like softball and volleyball, and activities that involve jumping, hopping, or running are not good exercise ideas during your pregnancy.

If you currently have an exercise routine, your physician may suggest that you continue but a more moderate level. If you have a medical condition such as heart disease, asthma or diabetes, exercise may not be appropriate. You should talk to your physician about your current exercise program and discuss whether moderate exercise during your pregnancy is a healthy choice.

Avoiding Harmful Situations

Now that you are pregnant, some of the normal parts of your lifestyle may not be good for your baby. You should talk about all your concerns with your physician to determine what is appropriate during your pregnancy.

Alcohol:

Although many news items have been popular lately because they question allowing moderate drinking during pregnancy, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the March of Dimes continue to urge women not to drink alcohol during pregnancy or if they think they may be pregnant.

Air Travel:

There is concern about the screening x-rays at airport check-points. However, this exposure is very small. Also, the change in pressure in the airplane cabin when flying at high altitudes has caused some concern. However, there is no evidence that this change in air pressure is harmful to pregnant women. If your flight is longer than one hour, it is recommended that your stand or walk as pregnancy increases the risk of blood clots in your legs when you sit for prolonged periods of time.

Skin Care:

There is some concern about the acne medication Accutane, an oral prescription drug. If you use this prescription, you should discuss its use during pregnancy as it has been linked to birth defects.

Smoking:

Smoking is bad for your health and bad for your baby’s health. According to the March of Dimes, smoking doubles the chance of having a low birth weight baby and of having a premature baby. Premature and low birth weight babies have an increased risk of serious health problems. If you are trying to get pregnant, you should also consider not smoking as there are some indications that smoking can make it harder to get pregnancy. You should also try to avoid second hand smoke.

Prescription Drugs:

Talk to your physician about any over-the-counter and prescription medications you take.

Saunas, Hot Tubs and Spas:

The high temperatures in these types of facilities are not good for your baby and may cause miscarriage or other complications.

Your Maternity Benefits And Care

See your physician regularly. At the first prenatal visit, your physician will probably perform a physical examination, some routine blood tests, and a urine test. As your pregnancy continues, your physician may order additional tests, such as an ultrasound, to make sure you and your baby remain healthy.

Maternity Benefits are available under both self only and self and family enrollments under both Standard and Basic Option. However, if you are pregnant and want to have your baby covered under your Service Benefit Plan enrollment, you will need a self and family enrollment. You should talk to your employing office about the process to change your coverage and when to make the change.

Service Benefit Plan benefits are provided for complete maternity care, including prenatal care, delivery and postnatal care. Under Standard Option, if you use a Preferred physician, you pay nothing for professional services. And if you use a Preferred facility, we waive the per admission copayment and pay for all covered charges in full. If you have Basic Option, you must use a Preferred provider for the care to be eligible for benefits, except in certain situations such as emergency care. You pay nothing for professional care related to maternity care under Basic Option when you use a Preferred physician. If you use a Preferred facility, you are responsible for a $100 copayment for maternity related admissions.

Benefits are available under both options for outpatient hospital or facility care related to your pregnancy.

For more information about maternity benefits, please see Sections 5(a) and 5(c) in the 2008 Service Benefit Plan brochure.

Written by Paula Spurway, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Originally published in June 2008. Resources include: 2008 Service Benefit Plan brochure; www.webmd.com, Health & Baby section; and Blue Health Connection, Pregnancy.