FACTS: Many of our members are females of childbearing age. We, as a health plan, recognize the importance of early and ongoing prenatal care to improve prenatal outcome. According to the most recent statistics from the National Center for Health Statistics, the United States has a maternal mortality rate of 13.1 out of every 100,000 live births and a prenatal mortality rate of 6.7 out of every 1,000 live births and fetal deaths. Additionally, the increasing incidence of preterm delivery and low birth weight continues to be a challenge for (more…)

Guidelines for Oral Health Care in Pregnancy • Dental care is safe and essential during pregnancy • Pregnancy is not a reason to defer routine dental care or treatment • Diagnostic measures, including needed dental x-rays, can be undertaken safely • Scaling and root planing to control periodontal disease can be undertaken safely; avoid using metronidazole in the first trimester • Treatment for acute infection or sources of sepsis should be provided at any stage of pregnancy. A number of antibiotics are safe for use • Treatment, including root-canal (more…)

Preconceptual care and pregnancy Background The pharmacist may be the first health care professional that a woman sees when she is trying not to be pregnant, trying to be pregnant or when she becomes pregnant. This provides many opportunities for health promotion interventions. Women who are likely to become pregnant usually enjoy good health but certain measures will increase the chances that she will continue to enjoy good health during her pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby. The government promotes the need for adequate intake (more…)

Guatemala, one of the poorest countries in Latin America, experiences some of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the region. It is also one of the most stratified countries in the world with ethnicity playing a major role in the distribution of resources. Approximately half of the population is indigenous1—i.e. descendents of the Mayans or other pre-conquest groups who maintain separate cultural identities and language—while the ladino population, loosely defined as all non-indigenous people, regard themselves as part (more…)

ACTION •Increase funding for Title V of the Social Security Act, the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, which was created to improve the health of mothers and children through federal-state partnerships. •Increase funding for the Title X family planning program. Maintain Title X as a categorical federal program that mandates informed patient consent and protections of confidentiality for all patients, the type of services to be offered, and medical standards to be met. •Increase funding for mental health services, including the Mental Health (more…)

Despite recent declines, the United States still has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates among industrialized nations.1While a growing number of programs have improved contraceptive prevalence or affected sexuality-related behaviors, few high-quality evaluations have documented programs’ success in reducing teenage pregnancies and births, and even fewer have been able to delay the age of sexual debut. This article reports on the results achieved by a three-year, random-assignment evaluation of a Carrera- model (more…)

Mental Health Children in foster care have extensive mental health needs, as most have experienced some form of abuse or neglect or suffer from being separated from their families. More resources must be dedicated to research and services for children in out-of-home care so they can receive the mental health services they need and deserve to live healthy, productive lives. Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant The Title V block grant helps develop service systems in communities to meet the critical challenges facing maternal and child health, (more…)

•Untreated mental health conditions during Untreated mental health conditions during pregnancy may lead to poor maternal outcomes, including substance abuse, loss of employment, divorce, and suicidal ideation/suicide. •May also lead to poor outcomes in offspring, including low birth weight and infant neglect/abuse. Mldididilb •Maternal depression studied extensively, but less is known about PTSD during pregnancy. Women’s military exposure to combat/stress •Womenwhohave served in Women who have served in Iraq/Afghanistan may have (more…)

Daily Brushing and Flossing Brush your teeth and gums at least twice a day using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Floss at least once daily! ? Dental Check-up Visit the dentist early in your pregnancy. Ask your doctor for a Pregnancy and Oral Health Referral Form, which will let your dentist know more about you and your pregnancy. ? Healthy Diet and Limited Snacking Choose foods low in sugar. Be sure to get enough calcium for development of your baby’s teeth and bones. ? Stop Tobacco Use Tobacco use is unhealthy for both baby and mother. Call 1-800 NO BUTTS or 575-6043 for assistance. Avoid secondhand smoke from others. For copies of this brochure contact Family Action at 586-3032 or fasc@fasc.org This brochure was printed by: www.bibbero.com Tips for Pregnant Women X-rays (radiographs) Can be used safely. Discuss with your dentist if they are needed. Gagging Some women have more saliva during pregnancy. Try breathing slowly through your nose when brushing your back teeth, as this usually helps reduce some of the nausea. Bleeding gums Regular flossing will usually decrease bleeding gums. Hormonal changes can cause gums to swell and trap food. Check with your dentist if bleeding continues. Morning sickness If you vomit during pregnancy it’s important to rinse your mouth out with water afterwards. Brushing your teeth immediately after vomiting can cause your teeth to wear away. Stomach acids soften teeth, making brushing too abrasive. Dental Emergencies If you do experience a dental emergency, get prompt help. Your dentist may want to consult with your doctor if anesthesia or medications are needed. Certain drugs can affect the development of your child’s teeth…

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87% of Western Australian health professionals advise women not to drink alcohol in pregnancy. No Alcohol in Pregnancy is the Safest Choice Only 45% of Western Australian health professionals who care for pregnant women routinely ask about their alcohol use. Please Ask – You Can Make a Difference The consequences of drinking alcohol during pregnancy include: • brain damage • birth defects • poor growth (more…)