Did you know some health problems because of pregnancy can happen up to a year after having a baby? These problems are called urgent maternal warning signs.
What are the urgent maternal warning signs?
Get care right away if you are experiencing any of these urgent maternal warning signs. These symptoms may mean you have a life-threatening complication.
- Headache that doesn’t go away or gets worse.
- Fever of 100.4° F (38° C) or higher.
- Trouble breathing.
- Chest pain or fast heart rate.
- Extreme swelling of your hands or face.
- Vaginal bleeding during or after pregnancy.
- Severe belly pain that doesn’t go away.
- Overwhelming tiredness.
- Dizziness or fainting.
Visit the CDC’s Urgent Maternal Warning Signs page for more information on symptoms.
This list is not meant to cover every symptom you might have. If you are feeling sick or have urgent questions outside of your doctor’s office hours, call the Alliance Nurse Advice Line at 844-971-8907 (TTY: Dial 711) to talk to a nurse. Be sure to tell them if you are pregnant or were pregnant within the last year.
What can I do for my health and my baby’s health?
Go to your scheduled prenatal and postpartum doctor visits. Prenatal visits are for care you get before your baby is born. Postpartum visits are for care you get after your baby is born.
Keep up with your doctor visits before, during and after pregnancy. These visits help to make sure you and your baby are safe and getting the care you both need.
Tip #1: Take note of what’s happening during your pregnancy. Share those notes during each visit with your doctor. Continue this for up to 1 year after your baby’s delivery.
Tell your doctor or the doctor’s staff if anything doesn’t feel right. You know your body best!
Tip #2: If you don’t have a doctor or want to change your doctor, call Member Services or fill out our online form.
How can I get support during and after my pregnancy?
The Alliance offers education programs for people who are pregnant or have recently given birth. Our Healthy Moms and Healthy Babies program helps you get early prenatal and postpartum support. You can also get rewards for keeping up with your doctor visits!
Tip #3: After your baby is born, you can earn rewards for keeping your baby up to date with checkups and vaccinations! Our Healthy Start program is for members ages 0-21. As your child grows, you can earn rewards for the things you are doing to keep them healthy!
Information in this article comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
