Maternal health: Expert shares post-partum resources for expecting moms
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Whether you are a first or third-time mom, motherhood is an exciting journey. But one thing experts want to echo is the importance for expecting moms to seek care early on in their pregnancies or after their baby is born.
According to UnitedHealthcare, nearly one in four women do not begin prenatal care in the first trimester, and nearly 40% skip post-partum visits entirely.
KXAN’s Avery Travis and Will DuPree had the opportunity to speak with Vice President of Clinical and Quality Operations at United Healthcare, Nancy Parsons. She informs on why it is imperative for women to receive health care during their pregnancy.
The following transcription has been edited for clarity.
Avery Travis: Experts say many new or expecting mothers skip out on critical care early on in their pregnancies or after their baby is born. According to UnitedHealthcare, nearly one in four women do not begin prenatal care in the first trimester, and nearly 40% skip post-partum visits altogether.
Will DuPree: That is part of why July is recognized as Postpartum Changes Awareness Month. For some more insight today into what growing families should expect and what resources are available for them, let’s bring in Nancy Parsons. She is the Vice President of Clinical and Quality Operations at United Healthcare.
First, talk to us about what’s behind some of those statistics that we just mentioned. Why aren’t more expecting or new mothers seeking that kind of care?
Nancy Parson: Well, whatever the reason someone is not going to prenatal care, I really want to encourage you that as soon as you find out that you’re pregnant or you suspect being pregnant, the first thing that you should do is call your doctor and schedule an appointment. Getting in to see the doctor early and having regular prenatal appointments are really going to help the health of the mom and that unborn baby.
Travis: We know very early on in someone’s pregnancy, or maybe even after giving birth, many moms are so focused on the health of their child, the last thing they may be thinking is actually caring for their own body and recognizing the link in those two things. So what does that prenatal and post-partum care really look like? If you could pull the curtain back, what types of things should they be expecting in those appointments, and why are they so important?
Parson: During the prenatal appointments, like your very first appointment, the doctor is going to get a health history of you and find out if there’s things going on in your health that will impact the pregnancy so that they can work a pregnancy plan that works best for that individual. Maybe there was a history of like substance use or opioid use. Those things are really important; it’s important to tell your provider so that they can work that pregnancy plan for you.
You may be seen on a monthly basis, where the doctor is evaluating the size of the baby and how the baby’s growing inside of you as you get further in your pregnancy. Some of the appointments, maybe every two weeks or every one week towards the very end, and then after the baby’s born. It’s also very important to see the doctor between that third and 12 weeks, because you need to make sure that your recovery is going well after delivery, that you’re doing well, the baby is healthy after delivery. There might be questions about breastfeeding support, ensuring that you have a healthy diet, and that you’re drinking lots of water.
All of those things are just critically important. And as a maternity nurse, I’ve seen hundreds of patients throughout the years, and the most important thing I can say is go to your prenatal appointments early and ensure that you are also seen in that post-partum period.
DuPree: There is also a growing focus on how things like doulas or nonmedical birth partners can help. Explain how those work, and is there any research on how that can help impact outcomes for new parents?
Parson: Yes, a doula is like a labor coach. And so a doula is someone who’s educated on everything about a pregnancy, the labor and post-partum. The doula is not the one who actually delivers the baby; however, they can be there for you during your pregnancy period. They can go to appointments with you if you want them to — Either there as a support for you or an educational resource throughout your pregnancy. During labor, they can be there to help you with breathing techniques and just be another extra support person for you. Then, during that post-partum period, a doula can help you with breastfeeding and help provide education about your health and wellness.
Sometimes, in a post-partum period, a mother may sometimes feel a little bit sad or even a little depressed, and some of that is hormonal changes that are normal after having a baby. But that’s why it’s also important to see that doctor during the post-partum period so that you can be assessed for post-partum depression and see if that’s something that your provider needs to work a plan for you.
Travis: So tell us for folks who may be interested in a nonmedical birth partner, a doula or just jumping into some prenatal or post-partum care that they have not been doing. How much of these types of resources and services are covered by insurance versus what someone may have to pay out of pocket?
Parson: So I can speak on the Medicaid side — I work with United Healthcare for Medicaid. We do cover the provider visits, of course, and then we also do cover doula support. And so, if you’re interested in having a doula, that is something that is covered our Medicaid plans, and most. I’m in New Mexico, but the Medicaid plan here provides transportation to and from appointments. It’ll provide transportation to like a birthing center or a food pantry. And so there’s a lot of benefits that way that your Medicaid plan may have.
I would encourage you to look to see what your insurance covers. And you know, if, by chance, you don’t have a doctor at this time, then it’s important for you to you know, if you have an insurance card, call the number on the back of the insurance card, or you can call your local health department or the Medicaid provider in order to get a provider so that you can get seen.
DuPree: Nancy Parson with United Healthcare, we appreciate you taking the time and for joining us today to talk through this.
Parson: Thank you for having me.
