For most of the first few weeks and months home with a new baby, most of the attention will be on your little one. And it should be! Your baby is a brand new person who didn’t even start to exist until a few short months ago! But another important part of the weeks and months after you deliver is making sure that your body gets the care, attention, and R&R it needs to bounce back as healthily as possible.
Plan ahead
There are a lot of things there’s no way for a new parent to really prepare for. Are you ready for the first diaper blow-out? How about the joy you’ll feel at the first real, social smile? There are other parts of parenting that are more possible to plan for, though, and making sure your little one doesn’t end up with a new brother or sister before you’re ready is one of them. Every family’s plan for birth spacing is individual and personal, but studies show that waiting at least 18 months between one pregnancy and another gives new moms’ bodies the best chance to recover completely.
Know how to access medical care and advice on short notice
New parents don’t have a lot of free time on their hands, which can make dropping by the doctor’s office a bit inconvenient. But pregnancy comes with a lot of physical changes, and the change back after delivery is dramatic, too. It’s only natural to have questions.
Learn how to add your baby to your Health Net
Your little one will automatically be added to your Health Net plan once born. However, this coverage will expire after a brief period, sometimes as few as 7 days, unless you officially enroll your child on your plan. This is a very important step, as your baby will have several well-child visits and receive a number of critical immunizations over the first year of life.
Members must reach out to the District Benefits office to add dependents. Give them a call at (909) 381-1114.
Consider exploring mental health coverage
Health Net provides coverage for different aspects of mental healthcare, if you ever need them. Between the hormonal changes that come with both pregnancy and the end of pregnancy and the added stresses that come with a new baby, it’s common to need a little extra support during this time. That might mean talking to a friend, or asking a parent to babysit. It also might mean exploring mental health support during the adjustment period of welcoming a new baby home. Knowing what services are available in your area can help you access those services more easily if you end up needing them.
Taking care of a baby is a big job, but taking care of yourself is an important part of that job. As you head toward the postpartum period, be ready to make sure you’re able to get the care and attention you need.
Health Net offers coverage for mental health services and support.
Members can also use the Telaodc platform. Teladoc Mental Health lets you talk to a licensed mental health expert of your choice by phone or video, 7 days a week, from the privacy of your own home.
It’s easy to get started with Teladoc Mental Health.
- Register and fill out a brief medical history
- Choose the mental health expert who is right for you
- Schedule a visit for a day and time that fits your schedule
There are three ways to get started with Teladoc and securely talk to a doctor today:
- Download the Teladoc mobile app from the iOS App Store or Google Play
- Visit www.teladoc.com
- Give Teladoc a call at (800) TELADOC (835-2362)
Select the button to visit your Health Net member portal.
