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Understanding and Managing Pregnancy Challenges
Common Pregnancy Risks and Complications
Pregnancy can come with risks and complications that may affect your health and the baby's. Knowing what to watch for—and when to talk to your provider—can help you feel more confident and supported.
Health conditions that may exist before pregnancy
These conditions can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy:
- Obesity: Complex disease involving too much body fat and BMI higher than 30. It’s a medical problem that increases the risk of many other diseases and health problems.
- Smoking: Risk factor for miscarriage, stillbirth, placental abruption , preterm birth, low birth weight, and neonatal morbidity and mortality . It is not safe to smoke during pregnancy or around a newborn. Secondhand smoke exposure is also harmful during the pregnancy and after the baby is born.
- Hypertension (High blood pressure): A condition that affects the body’s arteries. It is diagnosed if the blood pressure is equal to or greater than 130/80 mm Hg. Hypertension can cause serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, kidney damage and eye damage.
- Mental health issues: Conditions such as anxiety and depression can also affect pregnant individuals.
Conditions that may develop during pregnancy
These may arise during pregnancy and require monitoring or treatment:
- Gestational diabetes: Type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy that can affect the baby’s health if not managed properly.
- Preeclampsia: Condition characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the kidneys.
- Anemia: Condition where there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues, leading to fatigue and weakness.
- Infections: A variety of infections can pose risks during pregnancy, including urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections.
- Preterm labor: Labor that begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
- Ectopic pregnancy: When a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the main cavity of the uterus. It is a serious condition and can be life-threatening to the pregnant person.
Outcomes and other risk factors
These are outcomes or risks that may occur during pregnancy:
- Miscarriage: Loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks.
- Intimate partner violence (IPV): Abuse or aggression that occurs in a romantic relationship. It can take many forms, including emotional, sexual and physical abuse, stalking and threats of abuse. IPV affects men, women and non-binary individuals, regardless of social class, sexual orientation or other factors. If you or someone you know needs support, visit thehotline.org for confidential resources and help.
Attending all prenatal appointments and sharing any concerns with your healthcare provider helps identify and manage risks early.
Concerned about speaking up?
Visit our Safety and Advocacy page.
Black, Indigenous and other women of color face higher risks during pregnancy and childbirth. This is due to a combination of factors including, systemic racism , socioeconomic factors and stress . CareFirst is committed to addressing racial health disparities by training providers in our network on respectful maternal care practices, supporting community health initiatives and advocating for policies that promote equity. Your health and well-being are our top priorities, and we are here to support you.
Support for Pregnancy Loss: Miscarriage and Stillbirth
Experiencing a pregnancy loss is incredibly difficult. Please know you are not alone—we are here to support you. Call us and we will direct you to the resources and support available to meet your needs under your health plan. Help is just a phone call away. You can reach our behavioral health support line at 800-245-7013.
Our licensed care management professionals are available to assist you by:
- Helping triage and troubleshoot your individual needs (including crisis care)
- Identifying the type of care and provider you may need
- Finding in-network appointments in your area and helping you book them
- Pointing you to wellness solutions that suit your personal situation
You may also contact a therapist or psychiatrist from your home using CloseKnit.
To find out what medical services or additional resources are available to you, call the Member Services number on the back of your Member ID card. Benefit details can also be viewed in My Account.
If you have experienced a loss or are experiencing unusual symptoms:
Things to do:
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you suspect a pregnancy loss.
Follow your provider's instructions for managing the loss, which may include medication or a procedure.
Reach out to family, friends or a counselor for emotional support.
Allow yourself time to physically and emotionally recover.
Schedule follow-up visits with your healthcare provider to monitor your health.
Look for support groups for individuals who have experienced pregnancy loss.
What to expect:
- You may experience lingering physical symptoms, such as cramping and bleeding.
- Talk to your healthcare provider to know what to expect for your situation.
- Feelings of grief, sadness and anger are common. It’s important to acknowledge and process these emotions.
- Hormonal fluctuations can affect your mood and physical well-being.
- Physical recovery can take a few weeks, while emotional recovery may take longer.
- Discuss future pregnancies and any necessary precautions with your healthcare provider.
Expecting Multiples: A Guide for Twin Pregnancies and Beyond
Expecting multiples can bring a mix of excitement and unique challenges. We aim to support you every step of the way with comprehensive benefits and resources tailored to your needs. Whether through specialized prenatal care, nutritional guidance or preparing for the arrival of your little ones, we're here to ensure you feel confident and cared for throughout your journey. Remember, you're not alone—our team is dedicated to helping you and the babies thrive.
Things to do:
Schedule more frequent prenatal visits to monitor the health of yourself and the babies.
Follow a nutrition plan that supports the increased nutritional needs of carrying multiples, including prenatal vitamins.
Consider consulting with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for high-risk pregnancies.
Understand that multiples are often born earlier than singletons, so be prepared for a possible preterm birth.
Not all hospitals and birthing centers have neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). If you are delivering multiples, it is incredibly important to make sure your site of care has everything necessary to support the babies if they arrive early and/or require additional care and support.
Take a tour of the hospital’s labor and delivery unit, especially the NICU.
Discuss and create a birth plan with your healthcare provider, including delivery methods and pain management options.
Review your health insurance coverage and plan for potential additional costs associated with multiple births.
What to expect:
- Expect more frequent ultrasounds and monitoring to track the growth and development of each baby.
- Be aware of the higher risk of complications such as preterm labor, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes .
- Understand that delivery options may vary, with a higher likelihood of needing a cesarean section.
- Be prepared for the possibility that the babies may need to spend time in the NICU if they are born prematurely.
- Expect a longer recovery period and the need for additional support at home.
Support for Infertility & Conception Challenges
Facing challenges with conceiving can be both frustrating and surprising. The good news is that many couples who experience infertility do eventually have children, often with the help of medical treatments.
Here are some steps you can take:
Visit your provider: The first step is to see your provider. They will gather information about your health and medical history to understand the possible causes of infertility.
Get tested: Both partners may need to undergo tests. For those assigned male at birth, this might include a semen analysis to check sperm health. For those assigned female at birth, tests can include blood work, ultrasounds and checking the fallopian tubes.
Understand your options: Your doctor will discuss treatment options based on the test results. These can range from lifestyle changes and medications to more advanced treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) .
Make lifestyle changes: Improving your overall health can boost fertility. This might include eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding harmful substances like tobacco and alcohol.
Seek support: Infertility can be emotionally taxing. Consider joining a support group or talking to a counselor to help manage stress and emotions.
Follow your treatment plan: Stick to the plan your doctor recommends. This might involve taking medications, undergoing procedures or making lifestyle adjustments.
Remember, dealing with infertility is a journey, and it’s important to take care of both your physical and emotional health along the way.
Discover answers to common questions about infertility, including its causes, treatments and ways to improve your chances of conceiving, on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s comprehensive FAQ page.
CareFirst Coverage
CareFirst offers a range of assisted reproduction services for those facing infertility. Here are some of the key services covered:
- Infertility treatment
- In vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- Egg and embryo cryopreservation
- Egg and embryo donation
- Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)
- Gestational surrogacy
- Tubal embryo transfer (TET)
- Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT)
For specific details and to understand the full extent of coverage, it’s best to refer to your benefit plan. You can find your Benefit Details in My Account. After you log in or register, click on Benefit Details listed under Coverage in the top toolbar. Then select Maternity/OB-GYN/Fertility and click the link of the service you are interested in for details about what your plan covers. If you have questions, you can always contact the Member Services number on the back of your Member ID.
