While pregnancy can be an exciting time, we at Detroit Mom also know it can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, women have been less likely to make and keep appointments for pre- and postnatal care. This can lead to serious consequences down the road. We’ve partnered with UnitedHealthcare to help expecting and new moms like you navigate and understand the importance of taking care of YOU throughout your pregnancy and after you deliver your baby.
Being Nervous is Normal
Pregnancy and bringing home a newborn are difficult things on their own. Nowadays, there are even more reasons to stress about it. COVID-19 restrictions, anxiety, and added things to worry about often lead to missed prenatal and postnatal appointments. In fact, more than half of pregnant women are anxious about their well-being often or all the time, and two-thirds are worried about their baby’s health during pregnancy. You are not alone in feeling the way you do. The important thing is reaching out to your doctor if you feel something may not be right.
Make That Appointment! (And Keep It, Too!)
Did you know only 77% of mothers initiate prenatal appointments starting in the first trimester? It’s so important for you to make that first appointment as soon as you suspect you may be pregnant. At this appointment, your health care expert will confirm your pregnancy. They will work with you to create a healthy pregnancy plan. This is an excellent time for you to ask as many questions as you may have.
Even though there are restrictions in place due to COVID-19, health care experts are working hard to make sure you and your baby have a safe environment to be seen. Additionally, many offices are using telehealth visits on the phone or computer. These work to keep you safe while still providing the care you need.
Why Is This So Important?
The United States is seeing an increase in women experiencing adverse maternal and birth outcomes. This means it’s equally as important for you and your baby to be supported and seen by a medical professional during and after your pregnancy. This way, your health care expert can monitor things like baby’s weight and development and how you’re feeling as well.
- Low birthweight affects one in 12 (8%) infants.
- Infants born preterm or with low birthweight are at an increased risk for experiencing physical disabilities and developmental impairments throughout their lives.
- Risks are particularly high among black women, where the rate of preterm births is 49% higher than for all other races.
- Racial disparities also persist in maternal outcomes, including severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Black women are three to four times more likely to die from childbirth than White women.
It’s also important to see a doctor within one to six weeks after birth. This is to ensure you are recovering properly physically, and have the medical and emotional support you need. As many as 40% of women do not attend a postpartum visit. This is an excellent time to be honest with yourself and your medical care team. Bringing up things like postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety are normal. Letting your healthcare provider know what’s going on can be a step towards feeling better.
As someone who’s been through postpartum depression, I can tell you that the one thing I wish I would have done sooner was to speak up. I don’t think we talk about the postpartum phase enough. Since I had already had three other children, I thought it wouldn’t happen to me because I didn’t have it with any of my previous pregnancies. But life was so much different with my fourth child.
I learned quickly that postpartum depression does not discriminate. Speaking up when things don’t feel right will only help you in the long run. As women, we need to do a better job of normalizing this conversation. Feeling this way doesn’t make you any less of a mother.
How Else Can I Get Support?
We know pregnancy and having a new baby can be overwhelming, and this is completely normal. Luckily, there are many great programs and resources available to help, from early pregnancy through baby’s first year of life and beyond.
Be sure to ask your health care or health insurance provider about programs that can help throughout your pregnancy and postpartum period. These can range from providing prenatal vitamins and substance use support to safe supplies for the baby. Program offerings include information on access to free diapers, healthy foods, formula, breastfeeding supplies, car seats, and sleeping options.
UnitedHealthcare has developed a new online resource that includes a wide range of information and resources to support new moms as they take care of themselves and their babies, regardless of their financial situation. For more information and resources, visit www.everypregnancy.com. UnitedHealthcare created an awesome video series providing step-by-step guidance on appointments, starting with a mom’s eight-week appointment, through her baby’s birth, and postpartum.
