Pregnancy Care


Prenatal Care
Finding out that you are pregnant can be a special and exciting time. Molina Healthcare would like to help you take care of yourself and your baby.

During your pregnancy, it is important for you to see your health care provider regularly. During a prenatal care visit, your health care provider will monitor how you are feeling, and how your baby is growing. They can answer any questions or concerns you may have about your pregnancy.

Keep the following appointments with your provider:

Trimester

Weeks

Appointments

1st

1-12 weeks
  • See your provider as soon as you think you are pregnant.

2nd

12-28 weeks
  • See your provider every four weeks.

3rd

28 weeks-Delivery
  • See your provider every two to three weeks during weeks 28-36 of pregnancy.
  • See your provider every week from 36 weeks until delivery.

Postpartum

After Birth
  • See your provider 7 to 84 days after you have your baby. Schedule this appointment as soon as your baby is born.

 

High-Risk Pregnancy
A high-risk pregnancy can cause problems for you and your developing baby, and often requires care from specially trained providers.

One or more of the following health conditions can put you at high-risk:

  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Kidney disease
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Drug or alcohol use
  • Cancer
  • Epilepsy
  • An infection, like hepatitis C or HIV
  • Periodontal (gum) disease and tooth decay
  • Being younger than 17 or older than 35
  • Being pregnant with more than one baby
  • A history of three or more miscarriages, or other problems with past pregnancies


To learn more on how to stay healthy during your pregnancy, click here.

 

Resources

Molina Health and Wellness Team
To receive support for a high-risk pregnancy, please call (866) 891-2320

Partnership Violence
Abuse, whether physical, verbal, or emotional, can begin or get worse when an individual is pregnant. If you are experiencing abuse, get help:

  • The National Domestic Violence Hotline (open 24/7): Call (800) 799-7233 or (800) 787-3224, or visit thehotline.org
  • Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence: Visit wscadv.org/get-help-now/

Smoking and Pregnancy
Smoking during pregnancy can increase your risk of early delivery, low birth weight, and other problems for you and your baby.

Molina has a Smoking Cessation Program available to members at no cost. For more information, please call our Health Management Department at (866) 891-2320, ext. 751135.

Other resources to help you quit smoking:

 

 

Prenatal Dental Care
Dental care and treatment during pregnancy is safe and important. Professional organizations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the America College of Nurse-Midwives recommend that pregnant people receive regular dental check-ups and have cavities and other dental problems treated right away.

 
Apple Health (Medicaid) covers dental care for adults and children. If you are pregnant and live in Spokane, Thurston, or Cowlitz counties, you can receive enhanced dental services through your Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage.
  • Call or text DentistLink to receive a free dental care referral: (844) 888-5465, or click here to visit DentistLink.org  for more information.

Take care of your oral health at home during your pregnancy:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
  • Floss daily.
  • Drink lots of water. Water with fluoride in it is best because it strengthens teeth.
  
Member Rewards
Did you know? Molina Healthcare gives Apple Health (Medicaid) members Amazon.com Gift Cards for getting a prenatal care visit and other important screenings. For more information, click here.


Transportation
If you need nonemergency transportation for medical and behavioral appointments (Apple Health Medicaid), please visit: hca.wa.gov/transportation-help. 
 

Postpartum Care
As a new birthing parent, it is important for you to see your health care provider within 7 to 84 days after having your baby. Your health care provider will check how you are feeling and healing after delivery, as well as answer any questions you may have.

During a postpartum visit, your health care provider will:

  • Check your weight and blood pressure
  • Examine the breasts, abdomen and perineal or C-section incision/wound
  • Screen for depression and anxiety
  • Discuss potential birth control options

 

If at any time you are experiencing chest pain, trouble breathing, heavy bleeding, high fever, severe headache, or extreme pain, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

Baby Blues
Feeling sad after giving birth is normal. There are many reasons for “baby blues”:

  • Drastic changes in hormone levels
  • Feeling physically tired or stressed
  • Lack of help with taking care of yourself and your baby


Talk to your provider if you feel these symptoms are lasting longer than two weeks after you give birth.

Postpartum Depression
Birthing parents with postpartum depression can feel extreme sadness, anxiety, and tiredness. It may be difficult to get out of bed. Postpartum depression can interfere with your ability to care for yourself, your baby, or others. It can last for months if untreated. Please talk with your provider if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Feeling sad, hopeless, or overwhelmed
  • Crying more than usual, or for no obvious reason
  • Feeling extremely anxious
  • Having trouble bonding with your baby
  • Losing interest in enjoyable activities
  • Doubting your ability to care for your baby
  • Avoiding friends and family

 

Postpartum depression can be so severe that some birthing parents think about harming themselves or their baby. If you are having these thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 or TTY (800) 799-4889, or call 911.

Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding gives your baby important nutrients for a healthy start to life. Breastfeeding can also be a way for you and your baby to bond. Other benefits of breastfeeding include:

  • No cost for formula
  • It can help you lose weight
  • It can keep your baby healthy by:
    • Protecting them against common childhood infections
    • Improving their brain development
    • Relieving teething pain
    • Improve bite development and reduce the risk of cavities, often called “baby bottle tooth decay”
    • Reducing their risk of some allergic diseases, asthma, obesity, and type 2 diabetes

 

Did you know Molina Apple Health Members are eligible for a free breast pump? 

 

Get your breast pump in 3 simple steps through our partner Aeroflow Breastpumps:


1. Fill out the Aeroflow Breatpumps “Quality Through Insurance Form” with your basic health insurance information.
2. Aeroflow Breastpumps will verify your coverage and submit all required paperwork on your behalf.
3. Choose from a variety of Molina-covered electric breast pumps that best fit your lifestyle.

 

For more information about Aeroflow Breastpumps, click here, or call (844) 867-9890.


Note: This breast pump benefit is available to qualifying members. 

 

If you choose not to or are unable to breastfeed due to medical conditions such as: hypoplasia (limited breast tissue), breast-infection, newborn losing weight, low thyroid, your baby has milk intolerance due to a genetic disorder such as galactosemia or phenylketonuria, etc., there are many alternative forms to feed your baby, such as:

  • Formula
  • Supplement nursing system
  • Human donor milk programs


Ask your provider if any of these options would be a good fit for you and your baby.

After your baby arrives, there is a lot to think about. To learn about how to help keep you and your baby safe and healthy, click here.

Immunizations
Immunizations (shots) protect your baby from harmful diseases and infection. It is important for your baby to get their immunizations on time.

Immunizations do not cause autism. For more information about vaccine safety, click here.

For more information on the recommended immunizations schedule according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), click here.

A note about flu shots: Flu shots do not give you the flu. Some people have a mild reaction to the shot that may last a few hours, but it is not the flu. For more information about the flu shot, click here.


Resources

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Services for Moms and Kids

WIC is a nutrition program for women, infants, and children.

WIC offers the following at no cost:

  • Health foods and baby formulas
  • Nutrition education
  • Breastfeeding support
  • Referrals to immunization (shots) services, and other health screenings
  • Referrals to health care and community services

 

Apple Health (Medicaid) members who quality for WIC include:

  • Pregnant women
  • New and breastfeeding mothers
  • Infants and children under age 5

 

To find a WIC clinic near you:

  • Call the Family Health Hotline at (800) 322-2588
  • Text “WIC” to 96859
  • For more information, click here.

 

Dental Care 
Adults over 21, including pregnant people, and young children receive dental coverage through Apple Health (Medicaid). To find a dentist for yourself or your child, click here.

 

Member Rewards
Did you know? Molina Healthcare gives Apple Health (Medicaid) members Amazon.com Gift Cards for getting a postpartum care visit and other important screenings. For more information, click here.

Transportation
If you need nonemergency transportation for medical and behavioral appointments (Apple Health Medicaid), please visit: hca.wa.gov/transportation-help.