Pregnancy and Wellness in Kansas
Deciding if or when to have a baby is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Whatever you choose, your KanCare Healthy Blue Medicaid plan is here for you.
Caring for you and your baby
Whether you’re trying to become pregnant, recently found out you’re pregnant, or just had a baby, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Download our Pregnancy and Beyond Resource Guide
Use this guide to learn about our New Baby, New LifeSM program and how you can support your well-being during pregnancy. You can request a printed version by calling Member Services.
Pregnancy and Beyond Resource Guide (English)
Pregnancy and Beyond Resource Guide (Spanish) (Coming soon)
Get answers to your questions
Our Health A to Z library has answers to your questions on topics such as pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
Explore pregnancy and childbirth topics
Thinking about having a baby?
There are steps you can take early on to have a healthy pregnancy — and 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.
Planning for pregnancy resources in Kansas
Once you find out you’re pregnant
Schedule an appointment with your obstetrician (OB) healthcare provider.
- Prenatal care is very important for you and your baby. Your doctor will ask about your health, perform a physical exam, and tell you your baby’s due date.
- If you don’t have an OB healthcare provider, use our Find Care tool to find one near you.
- Complete an OB Health Screener
- This screener will help us customize the care and support we provide you throughout your pregnancy. You can complete the OB health screener in our Concierge Care Maternity app (Coming soon) or with a Healthy Blue associate.
- Sign up for Healthy Rewards.
- You may be able to earn incentives for going to your prenatal and postpartum visits. To join in our Healthy Rewards program, visit the Benefit Reward Hub or call the Healthy Rewards Customer Service Line at 888‑990‑8681 (TTY 711), Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Central time.
- Take care of you
- Eat healthy foods, stay active, and avoid tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.
- Go to your doctor and dentist regularly.
- Keep your vaccines up to date.
- Protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Having a healthy pregnancy
Getting the support you need throughout your pregnancy can help you feel better and embrace the journey. With our Concierge Care Maternity app, you’ll receive helpful tips and advice before and after your baby is born. You can get information that is relevant to you on the schedule that works for you. You can also use the app to connect with the OB care coordination team.
Download our Concierge Care Maternity app (Coming soon) today so you can take an OB health screener that will help us customize your care.
If you have a high-risk pregnancy, an OB care coordinator will reach out to you. You can also speak to a care coordinator if you need help. Just call Member Services and request a referral to OB care coordination.
Becoming a Mom® is an evidence-based prenatal education program that is delivered in a group setting across many Kansas communities. The program can also be accessed virtually in a number of communities. Visit their website to read about the program or see if there is a site near you.
Doula care
Have you heard of a doula? A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to their client before, during, and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible. Doulas can help improve birth outcomes for you and your baby and could have a positive impact on the entire family. To learn more about doulas, download this flyer or visit the March of Dimes website.
Healthy Blue covers doula services and can help you find a doula. Call Member Services 833-838-2593 (TTY 711), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time to learn more about your benefits. You can also visit the Kansas maternal health website for more information.
Supporting your partner when they’re pregnant
There are many things you can do to support your partner during pregnancy. Some examples include:
- Encouraging your partner to seek early and regular prenatal care.
- Making sure your partner attends appointments and birthing classes.
- Helping your partner avoid tobacco and alcohol, stay active, eat healthy, and find ways to reduce stress during pregnancy.
During this time, it’s also important for you to take care of yourself. As you encourage your partner to take important steps to stay healthy, take these steps together:
- 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 can be 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.
Taking care of you and your baby
Being a new parent is an exciting time, but it can bring some unexpected challenges.
Postpartum depression can occur after pregnancy. For more information on postpartum depression, talk to your OB provider. You can also contact Postpartum Support International (PSI) at:
800-944-4PPD (800-944-4773) (TTY 711).
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.
Feeding Support
Breast pumps are a covered benefit. Call Member Services to ask how you can receive a breast pump.
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program can help with breastfeeding support by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to healthcare. Visit the WIC website or call your local WIC office to learn more.
La Leche League’s mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education. They strive to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of baby and mother. To learn more or get breastfeeding support, visit the La Leche website or call the La Leche League Breastfeeding Helpline at 877-452-5324 (TTY 711).
Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition works to promote and protect breastfeeding and human milk feeding to improve Kansas families’ health and well-being. Visit their website to learn more.
Navigating the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
If your baby is born premature or has a serious health condition, they may have been admitted to the NICU. We believe the more you understand about the NICU and your baby’s specific needs, the better equipped you'll be to provide the best care for them.
We extend our support by helping you to prepare yourself and your home for when your baby is released from the hospital. After your baby is home, our care coordinators continue to provide education and assistance in improving your baby’s health, preventing unnecessary hospital readmissions, and guiding you to community resources if needed.
The NICU can be a stressful place, bringing unique challenges and concerns you may have never imagined. The anxiety and stress related to having a baby in the NICU can potentially lead to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in parents and caregivers. To reduce the impact of PTSD among our members, we assist by:
- Helping you engage with hospital-based support programs
- Facilitating screenings for potential PTSD
- Connecting you with behavioral health program resources and community support as needed
- Actively asking for your feedback on the provided resources and how an increased awareness of PTSD has helped you
If you have a baby in the NICU, a NICU care coordinator will reach out to you. You can also speak to a care coordinator if you need help, just call Member Services and request a referral to NICU care coordination.
Additional resources:
- The MyPreemie app supports families with preemies.
- Graham’s Foundation provides support, advocacy, and research for preemies and their families.
Coping with the loss of a baby
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. Here are some resources you might find helpful:
Support for families who have experienced an infant loss due to sudden unexpected infant death (SUID).
Call 800-221-7437 (TTY 711). Grief counselors are on hand at no cost 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Pregnancy and infant loss support.
Call 800-821-6819 (TTY 711).
Support and resources after the death of a child.
Call 888-455-6477 (TTY 711).
Kansas Infant Death and SIDS Network
Support for those who have been touched by infant death or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Call 316-682-1301 (TTY 711).
Teens: Taking care of your health and planning for the future
You may have questions about sex, relationships, body changes, birth control, or other topics. Getting regular checkups gives you a chance to ask your healthcare provider these questions and to talk about any other concerns. If you have additional questions for your healthcare provider, ask if they can answer questions without a parent in the room.
Support and resources
Community Resource Link
Get help finding food, jobs, housing, and other things you may need.
Visit Community Resource Link (Coming soon)
Concierge Care Maternity
Get maternal health education through an app on your smartphone.
Download the Concierge Care Maternity app (Coming soon)
Infant Safe Haven
Learn about safe-haven laws in your state and what to do if you can’t care for your newborn.
Interactive tool: From embryo to baby in 9 months
KanQuit!
Provides free coaching — over the phone — to help you quit smoking. Call 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) (TTY 711) 24/7 to speak confidentially with a highly trained quit coach.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
It’s okay to feel lost, especially during one of the most physically demanding life events you will have. If you’re unsure how to stop your substance use during pregnancy, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357) (TTY 800-487-4889).
You can also review the Decisions in Recovery: Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder handbook
Childbirth checklist for partners
Know what to expect when your partner goes into labor. Check out the BabyCenter: Childbirth cheat sheet so you’re ready for go time.
Kansas Perinatal Quality Collaborative
Working to improve quality of care for mothers and their babies. Visit their website to learn more.
Transportation
Additional transportation benefits are available to pregnant members. Check your member handbook or call Member Services to learn more.
Baby Essentials
Eligible members can receive a $100 gift card toward the purchase of essential baby items, such as:
- Baby monitor
- Babyproof items
- Convertible car seat
- Diapers
- Highchair
- Portable crib
Check your member handbook or call Member Services to learn more.
Baby on the Way
Pregnant members who complete a prenatal visit in the first trimester can select one item from a custom catalog that supports a healthy pregnancy such as folic acid supplements, maternity belts, and maternity hose.
Check your member handbook or call Member Services to learn more.
Pregnancy and childbirth apps
Concierge Care
Get maternal health education through an app on your smartphone.
Download Concierge Care (Coming soon)