TAC Health & Employee Benefits Pool

In May, our focus is on Maternal and Infant Health!

Maternal health refers to the health of women during their pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal period.

Factors that influence maternal and infant outcomes include:

• Existing or pre-pregnancy conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, asthma, or a compromised immune system
• Older maternal age
• Lifestyle factors such as currently smoking or being a former cigarette smoker
• Having twins, triplets, or other multiples
• Certain pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes
• Certain features of giving birth (e.g., vaginal birth after cesarean)
• Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds

CDC reports that up to 80% of pregnancy associated deaths are preventable.

To minimize pregnancy risk, women should discuss their health history with their provider and partner to plan for potential problems that may arise.

Urgent Maternal Warning Signs include:

• Severe headache
• Dizziness/fainting
• Changes in your vision
• Fever
• Trouble breathing
• Overwhelming fatigue
• Chest pain or fast beating heart
• Severe belly pain that does not go away
• Severe nausea/vomiting
• Severe swelling of hands or face
• Severe swelling, redness, or pain of leg or arm
• Thoughts about harming yourself or your baby
• Baby’s movement stops or slows during pregnancy
• Vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking during pregnancy
• Heavy vaginal bleeding or discharge after pregnancy

What is BCBS Doing:

• Fliers are available in English and Spanish to promote Maternal and Infant Health:
  • Perinatal Wellness Member Guidelines in English
  • Perinatal Wellness Member Guidelines in Spanish
  • Womens and Family Health Overview in English
  • Womens and Family Health Overview in Spanish
• Well onTarget is available for self-guided courses on pre-pregnancy, first trimester, second trimester, third trimester, and post-partum.