Parkland Community Health Plan members: did you know that new and expecting moms can get a free breast pump with a prescription from their provider? For breastfeeding moms, a breast pump can make life a little easier by helping you save time and store milk for when you need it. How can I order a breast pump? PCHP partners with several companies that offer breast pumps and other medical equipment. Once your provider gives you a prescription, you can contact one of these approved suppliers directly. (PCHP...
Pregnancy is often seen as a happy, exciting time – but many people experience worry and stress in addition to the excitement. It’s completely normal to feel anxious or overwhelmed at times. But when sadness or anxiety starts to affect your daily life, or makes it hard to take care of yourself or others, it may be a sign of prenatal depression. Prenatal depression is common, affecting about 1 in 10 pregnant women. It’s important to recognize the signs and get help early—untreated depression during pregn...
After your baby is born, the first days and weeks back home can be exhausting. It’s important to take extra-good care of yourself as you recover from childbirth. Your labor and delivery might be normal. However, you should watch for signs of infection, high blood pressure, and other symptoms. Otherwise, you could end up back in the hospital! Call your doctor right away if you notice any of the symptoms listed below. “Postpartum depression” feelings, such as: Extreme anxiety Lack of interest in things yo...
Is your child ready for eyeglasses? Texas Medicaid covers it. Do you need a pregnancy checkup? Texas Medicaid covers that, too. In fact, Medicaid has a long list of services to help you and your family stay healthy and well. Medicaid benefits include: dental care allergy medicine vaccinations (shots) birth control hearing tests rides to the doctor and more! Top Medicaid Benefits for Children Dental Care You should take your child to the dentist every six months, starting when they are 6 months old. Your...
Having a baby can be exciting – but for many new moms, it can be overwhelming, too. Are you expecting your first child? You may be unsure of what to expect or how to prepare for your new arrival. First-time moms who are PCHP members may be able to get extra support from our Nurse-Family Partnership program. Who can participate? The program is open to first-time moms who join before their 28th week of pregnancy. Moms can participate in the program until their child is 2 years old. How does it work? A nur...
When you’re expecting a baby, eating nutritious food is an important way to stay strong and healthy. If you need some help with your food budget, we have good news. There are many food-related resources available to pregnant women and families in North Texas. Keep reading to learn about just a few! Free Meal Service for Parkland Community Health Plan Members Are you pregnant and a member of STAR Medicaid or CHIP/CHIP Perinate? If yes, you can receive one free family-style meal each month. Each meal feed...
Have you been through a major health event recently, like being pregnant or having a medical or mental health emergency? You may be feeling stressed – especially if you don’t have family or friends nearby to help. Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, recovering from a trip to the emergency room, or experiencing stress and loneliness, everyone can use a little extra support. That’s why Parkland Community Health Plan is happy to offer the free Pyx Health program to our members age 18 and older. A Hel...
At birth, most babies weigh somewhere between 6 and 8½ pounds. Low birth weight means the baby weighs less than 5½ pounds. If a baby weighs too little at birth, they will need extra help during their first few hours and days in the hospital. They may also need extra care after you take them home. Babies with low birth weight may: have problems eating have trouble gaining weight be prone to catching infections be at risk for some long-term health problems have difficulty controlling their body temperatur...
For many women, pregnancy can be an exciting time as they get ready for the birth of their baby. Unfortunately, some women have high levels of stress and worry during pregnancy as a result of intimate partner violence. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 6% of women who have recently given birth experienced emotional, physical, or sexual violence during pregnancy by a current intimate partner. In some cases, the partner may feel jealous about how much attention ...
Taking good care of your teeth and gums is important for your dental health. It’s also important for the health of your entire body. Brushing and flossing removes bacteria on and between your teeth. During professional cleanings, your dentist removes bacteria more thoroughly, including the areas just under your gumline. Bacteria can cause infections inside your teeth and gums. Harmful bacteria can then spread from your mouth to your bloodstream, creating problems throughout your body. A few of these hea...
Sometimes, staying healthy takes a little extra effort – and it’s nice when you can get rewarded for it! Parkland Community Health Plan’s Member Rewards program gives members the chance to earn reward points for completing health and wellness activities. Once you earn the points, you can use them to get gift cards and other items from a rewards catalog . One way to earn rewards: visiting the doctor! Earn a $20 reward value when you : Visit your primary care provider (PCP) within 90 days of joining Parkl...
You may know that good prenatal care is important for the health of your baby. It’s also important for new moms to keep getting regular care after birth – so they can stay healthy, too. Jeanne Bandelaria, a pediatric physician assistant in North Texas, explains why postpartum visits are so important, and what to expect when you visit your doctor for a checkup. When Should I Schedule My Postpartum Checkup? New moms should schedule a postpartum checkup within three weeks after giving birth, followed by a ...
When you’re expecting a baby, you might feel more tired than you usually do. However, you may want to find ways to fit exercise into your daily routine. Moving your body has many benefits during and after your pregnancy. What are the benefits of exercise during pregnancy? You will experience many changes throughout the nine months of your pregnancy. Regular exercise will help you to feel your best during all three trimesters. Some benefits you might feel include: Longer, deeper sleep. Better mood....
Were you pregnant recently? If you received Medicaid or CHIP benefits while pregnant, you can now keep those benefits for a year after your pregnancy ends. As of March 1, 2024, Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) has extended its postpartum Medicaid and CHIP coverage from 2 to 12 months of benefits for eligible women. Who Qualifies for the Extra Coverage? Medicaid or CHIP recipients who are pregnant or become pregnant, and women who enroll because they become pregnant. Medicaid or CHIP recipients who...
One of the best ways to stay healthy during pregnancy is to see your doctor for regular checkups. Even if you feel well, you might have a health condition that can affect you and your baby. One example is a condition called preeclampsia. When a pregnant woman has preeclampsia, her blood pressure will be too high. This can become a medical emergency. What is high blood pressure? Your heart pushes blood through your body with every beat, like water moving through a network of hoses. As blood pushes agains...
Are you pregnant? Remember: A healthy baby starts with a healthy pregnancy. If you have a normal pregnancy, you will have your baby about 40 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period. Those weeks will go by fast! Be sure to plan ahead for prenatal visits with your health care provider. During your pregnancy, you might receive care from: Obstetricians An “OB” doctor specializes in caring for pregnant women and delivering babies. If you need a cesarean section delivery, also called a “...
Have you or someone in your family recently been admitted to the hospital? Some common reasons for a hospital stay include surgery, childbirth, or treatment for complications from diabetes. If you are recovering from any of those conditions, keep reading. Here, you’ll find tips to help you to stay safe and healthy during your first few days—and weeks—back home. Symptoms that could be an emergency No matter what reason led to your hospital stay, you should call your doctor immediately if you experience: ...
Do you want to get pregnant? Or do you want to avoid getting pregnant? Either way, it’s important to learn as much as you can about how your body works. This is also good information to share with your daughters. Ready to learn? Take a few minutes to read through these quick facts about pregnancy. Remember, these are just guidelines based on what most girls and women experience. Every body is different, so be sure to ask your doctor if you have questions. What happens when a baby is conceived? Fi...
You’re pregnant and you are excited to meet your new baby. You might feel your pregnancy is lasting forever. For a healthy baby, every week counts—even at the very end of pregnancy. A full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks. When your baby is born after the 37th week of pregnancy, they have a chance to develop as fully as possible before birth. However, if you go into labor and give birth before your 37th week of pregnancy, your baby will be considered “premature” or “preterm.” Preterm babies can have health pr...
Are you expecting a baby? Congratulations! Every day, you should try to get the nutrients your body needs so you can be as healthy as possible during your pregnancy. Keep reading for tips on which food and supplements provide these important vitamins and minerals. Also, be sure to review the foods you should avoid during your pregnancy. These items could make you or your baby sick. Last but not least, ask your doctor if you should eat more, or less, of any of the items on this list. Vitamins and mineral...
If you’re getting ready to welcome a new baby, you might be thinking about breastfeeding. It’s a great idea. Breastfeeding is good for your baby, and it’s good for you. However, many new moms are not able to do it for more than a few weeks—or at all. Some moms and babies have medical conditions that make it hard to stick to a nursing routine. Other women choose to formula feed because they have high demands at work or home. If you want to try breastfeeding, plan ahead. Talk to your doctor about it as so...
As a parent, you know it’s important to talk to your children about preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This is especially true when they become teenagers. What about sex education your teens receive in junior high or high school? While some schools offer it, many do not. Either way, you should plan to discuss your values and beliefs about sexual behavior with your children—along with the facts. What topics should you cover? You might be embarrassed to start the conversation a...
Do you need no-cost birth control pills, diaphragms, condoms, or other family planning services? If you live in Texas, here are two options to consider. You might be able to get birth control through: Parkland HEALTH first , a health plan for people on STAR (Medicaid) The Healthy Texas Women Program Parkland HEALTH first family planning services help you to: not get pregnant plan ahead of time for a healthy pregnancy and baby get and stay healthy for any children you already have What does the HEALTH fi...
After those long months of pregnancy, your baby is here at last! As you adjust to life with your little one, you may feel overwhelmed at times. Take a look at the tips below for ideas to ease the first few weeks and months of motherhood. Accept help You might want to do everything for your new baby. But if your loved ones offer help—accept it. Whether it’s holding the baby while you take a shower or making meals for you, there are many ways that others can lend a hand. Let them! Get as much rest as poss...
The Dallas Healthy Start program is an in-home service that aims to reduce infant deaths, preterm, and low-weight births. The staff is made up of English and Spanish-speaking community health workers and health educators that provide prenatal and postpartum classes among other educational opportunities. Watch as Nishell Jackson, a Community Health Worker of Parkland Health, talks more about the program and all it has to offer community members. Dallas Healthy Start Program 4917 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas,...
For first-time mothers, there are lots of questions about pregnancy and birth. Lisa Summers and Nolana Johnson, registered nurses at Parkland Health understand this and offer in-home visits to first-time mothers to help them prepare for labor, delivery, and life after the baby is born. During the pregnancy, they teach breathing and calming techniques, stretches, and ways of knowing they’re in labor as well as what to expect. Once the baby is born, they cover the ins and outs of breastfeeding and bottle ...
For generations, breastfeeding has sustained life. In addition to its many health benefits there can also be difficulties and challenges for new mothers. In this video, Valencia Moore, RN, IBCLC, Lactation Consultant Supervisor at Parkland Health shares her expert opinion on these topics. Watch as she discusses the many benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby including the convenience factor of being able to nurse whenever and wherever, as well as its known ability to decrease the baby’s chances of c...