Pregnancy And Women’s Health
At Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, we understand that deciding if and when to have a baby is one of the most important decisions you will make.
If You’re Pregnant, Take These Important Steps
Enroll And Earn Rewards
To see what you’re eligible to earn, enroll in Healthy Rewards by logging into your Anthem account and visiting the Benefit Reward Hub. You can also enroll in the program or learn more by calling Healthy Rewards at 888-990-8681 (TTY 711) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Interactive Tools
From Embryo To Baby In Nine Months.
Watch how your baby grows and changes month by month inside the womb.
Pregnancy And Childbirth Apps
Support And Resources
Healthy Rewards
Earn rewards for certain health checkups or screenings.
Infant Safe Haven
Learn about safe-haven laws in your state and what to do if you can’t care for your newborn. Visit Child Welfare.gov and search for “Safe Haven”
Local Resources
Find local resources near you with our Community Resource Link
There are several important steps you can take to stay healthy and strong throughout your life:
- Going to your doctor and dentist regularly
- Keeping vaccines up to date
- Protecting yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Planning for or preventing an unwanted pregnancy
- Avoiding tobacco and alcohol
- Staying active
- Eating healthy
These are all important steps you can take to stay healthy and achieve your goals.
Health A to Z
Alcohol or drug use during pregnancy
Fitness: Getting and staying active
How ready are you to quit smoking?
Is drinking getting in the way?
Helpful Resources
National Tobacco Quitline
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA)
If you’re thinking about having a baby, there are steps you can take to stay healthy before, during and after pregnancy. These steps will help you have a healthy baby, too!
Before you become pregnant, talk with your doctor about:
- Planning to start a family.
- Avoiding tobacco and alcohol.
- Taking medications safely.
- Taking folic acid.
- Making sure your vaccines are up to date.
- Staying active.
- Eating healthy.
Health A to Z
- Women’s health
- Preparing for a healthy pregnancy
- Zika virus
- Breast self-examination
- Quitting smoking
- Pap tests
- Drug withdrawal in newborns (Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome)
- Pregnancy and Diabetes: Planning for pregnancy
- Obesity and pregnancy
- Immunizations and pregnancy
- Alcohol or drug use during pregnancy
Helpful Resources
- Preconception health and health care
- Show your love! Steps to a healthier me and baby-to-be [PDF]
- Decision in recovery: Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
- Smokefree for women
- Preventing Preterm Birth- the Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative
National Tobacco Quitline
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA)
Congratulations! This is an exciting time for you. There are many things you can do to make sure you and your baby stay strong and healthy.
Once You Find Out You’re Pregnant, What Are Your Next Steps?
Schedule An Appointment With Your OB Provider
Prenatal care is very important for you and your baby. Your doctor will ask you questions about your health, do a physical exam, tell you your baby’s due date, and give you the information you and your baby need to stay healthy.
Who is your OB provider? If you don’t have one, you can use our provider search tool to find one near you
Take Care Of You
Eating healthy foods, staying active, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol can help you stay healthy during and after pregnancy.
Complete an OB health screener
This screener helps us make sure we’re helping you get the care and support you need throughout your pregnancy. Complete the OB Risk Screener via Sydney Health app. You may receive a call from My Advocate® or an Anthem associate to complete the OB health screener.
Chat with your OB care manager
Call us to learn about our New Baby, New Life℠ program. We can help you find resources to help you take care of yourself so you can take care of your baby. Call 844-912-0938 (TTY 711) to learn more.
Enroll in Healthy Rewards
Earn dollars for completing healthy activities. You may be eligible to earn rewards for attending your prenatal and postpartum appointments. To enroll in our Healthy Rewards program, visit the Benefit Reward Hub or call 888-990-8681 (TTY 711)
Health A to Z Articles
- First trimester exams and tests
- Pregnancy: Prenatal exam schedule
- Second trimester exams and tests
- Third trimester exams and tests
- Preeclampsia
- Gestational diabetes
- Preterm labor
- Alcohol or drug use during pregnancy
- Drug withdrawal in newborns (Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome)
- Pregnancy: Dealing with morning sickness
- Nausea or vomiting during pregnancy
- HIV and pregnancy
- Depression during pregnancy
- Immunizations and pregnancy
- From embryo to baby in 9 months
Helpful Resources
- March of Dimes
- Text4baby
- Smokefree for women
- Preventing Preterm Birth- the Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative
National Tobacco Quitline
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA)
You may be eligible for WIC benefits. Visit the WIC website to learn more.
Congratulations! Being a new mother is an exciting time, but motherhood can bring some challenges you might not have expected. You may have questions about how to keep yourself and your baby healthy.
Besides talking with your doctor, there are many resources available to help keep you healthy, both physically and emotionally. There are also many resources to help you make sure your baby is safe, happy, and healthy.
Health A to Z Articles
- Baby’s daily needs: What to expect
- Breastfeeding
- Child car seats
- Newborn growth and development
- Postpartum: First six weeks after childbirth
- Managing postpartum depression
- Crib safety
- Childhood immunizations
Helpful Resources
Need help getting a breast pump? Call Member Services at 844-912-0938 (TTY 711).
If you have not already enrolled in WIC, visit the WIC website to learn more or call 800-367-2229. WIC can assist you with breastfeeding support.
For more information or support with breastfeeding:
- Visit La Leche League
- Visit Infant Risk Center or call 806-352-2519 for questions about breastfeeding and medications
For more information on postpartum depression, talk to your doctor. You can also contact Postpartum Support International (PSI) at 800-944-4PPD (4773).
If your baby was born sick or premature and has been admitted to the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), you may be having a difficult time coping. We believe that the more you know, the better you will be able to care for your infant. We are here to help you feel more at ease with your baby’s stay in the NICU.
Health A to Z Articles
Getting to know the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
NICU: Communicating with the staff
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection
Drug withdrawal in newborns (Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome)
Helpful Resources
- Need help getting a breast pump? Call Member Services at 844-912-0938 (TTY 711).
- The MyPreemie App provides support to parents and families with preemies.
- Graham’s Foundation provides support, advocacy, and research for preemies and their families.
- March of Dimes’ My NICU Baby App provides answers, tools, and support so you can focus on your baby during this time.
There are many things you can do to support your partner during pregnancy. Encourage your partner to seek early and regular prenatal care and attend appointments and birthing classes with them. Encourage your partner to take other important steps such as avoiding tobacco and alcohol, staying active and eating healthy, and finding ways to reduce stress during pregnancy.
During this exciting time, it is also important for you to take care of yourself. As you encourage your partner to take important steps to stay healthy, take these steps with your partner:
- Visit your doctor
- Make sure your immunizations are up to date
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol
- Stay active — spend time walking or exercising with your partner
- Eat healthy
- Find ways to reduce your stress — reach out to friends and family who are parents and can provide you with support and advice
This is an exciting time for you. Your role as a parent is very important to the health and development of your baby, and you may have a lot of questions about caring for your newborn. Anthem is here for you. You can find helpful information on getting and staying healthy and preparing for parenthood below.
Health A to Z Articles
Fitness: Getting and staying active
Getting ready to quit smoking?
Is drinking getting in the way?
Partner support during pregnancy
From embryo to baby in 9 months
Baby’s daily needs: What to expect
Newborn growth and development
Helpful Resources
- Baby center: Childbirth cheat sheet
- Decision in recovery: Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
- Smokefree.gov
National Tobacco Quitline
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA)
Losing a baby is a very painful experience. If you are dealing with the loss of your baby, it is important to have a circle of support. Below are some resources you might find helpful.
First Candle — Support for families who have experienced a SIDS or sleep-related infant loss
Call 800-221-7437. Grief counselors are on hand at no cost, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
National SHARE — Pregnancy and infant loss support
Call 800-821-6819
MISS Foundation — Support and resources for parents after the death of a child
Call 888-455-6477
You may have questions about sex, relationships, body changes, birth control, or other topics. Getting regular checkups gives you a chance to ask your doctor these questions and talk about any other concerns. Ask your doctor if they can answer your questions without a parent in the room.
You can also find information and support online. Below are some sites you can visit to get accurate information about ways to stay healthy.
Health A to Z Articles
- Teen health
- Fitness: Getting and staying active
- Quitting smoking
- Bullying
- Teen relationship abuse
- HPV: Should I get the vaccine
- Birth control for teens
Helpful Resources
- What is Teen health?
- Take charge of your health: A guide for teens
- BAM! Body and Mind
- Am I in a healthy relationship?
- Learn more about reproductive health for teens
- Everything you wanted to know about IUDs and the implant at WhoopsProof
- Learn more about unintended pregnancy prevention
- Learn more about quitting smoking at teen.smokefree.gov
If You Have Questions About Anthem
Contact UsCall Member Services at 844-912-0938 (TTY 711)
Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.