Pregnancy&InfantHealth

Helpful tips for your health & your baby’s

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.

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)

MIHP website: www.michigan.gov/mihp