Everybody knows how important it is to stay healthy during pregnancy, but you don’t have to wait for two pink lines to start thinking about healthy habits.
Schedule a preconception appointment
A preconception appointment offers an excellent opportunity for you to meet with your healthcare provider, and go over any questions you might have about trying to conceive, and early pregnancy. You can discuss prenatal vitamins, exercise routines, which type of prenatal provider to use, and anything else that relates to your journey.
Your health plan may cover preconception (and prenatal) appointments as preventive care. This means you may not need to pay anything for these services.
Learn about carrier screening
Many diseases are considered heritable, or able to be passed down from parent to child. However, some diseases have more clear family links than others. One group of disease, which includes cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and Tay-Sachs, are known as recessive disorders.
Carrier screening checks your genes and your partner’s to determine if your little one might be at risk of inheriting a recessive disorder, and might be worth looking into, especially if you have a known family history of one of these disorders.
Quit or reduce alcohol, drugs, and tobacco
Alcohol, recreational drugs, and tobacco can all have negative effects on a baby growing in the womb, but they can also make getting pregnant more difficult. If you or your partner struggle with a substance abuse disorder or tobacco dependency, it’s worth speaking with your healthcare provider to come up with ways to quit, or reduce your use.
Your health plan may offer resources to help you quit smoking, so it’s worth learning more about your benefits.
Take a prenatal vitamin
Might as well start acting pregnant! Taking a prenatal vitamin can help round off your nutrient consumption if you aren’t getting enough. Folate is especially important during early pregnancy, so it’s smart to make sure that you’re getting enough.
Think about prenatal care
Do you plan on finding a new OB/GYN, sticking with your primary care provider, working with a midwife, or something else? Now is definitely the time to think about prenatal care, and to talk about it with your healthcare provider. Your health plan may cover prenatal care, so you’ll be able to see your provider at regular intervals and no cost.
Please consult your health plan benefits for details on coverage. For Meritain Health medical members, find out more by logging in on Meritain.com or by calling us at the number on the back of your ID card.
