If you have Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) or if your child has Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), benefits are now covered during pregnancy. Benefits are also covered for up to 12 months after you give birth.

You need to sign up your baby for their own coverage. When your baby is signed up, they will also get 12 months of continued coverage. You also need to let the state of Colorado know that your pregnancy is over. Go to hcpf.colorado.gov/child-health-plan-plus to learn more.

This change can help your health and your baby’s health. Some things that are covered during this time are:

• Primary care. This means things like well visits.

• Emergency care and urgent care.

• Hospital services.

• Dental care. This is for both children and pregnant people.

• Prescriptions.

• Immunizations/vaccines.

• Prenatal, birth and postpartum care.

• Mental/behavioral health care.

To learn more about your coverage, visit healthfirstcolorado.com. You can also talk to your doctor. If you don’t have a doctor, we can help you find one. Call us at 866-833-5717. Or you can find one online at coaccess.com. There is a link to our directory on the homepage of our website.

WELL VISITS

Well visits are regular exams. They will help keep your baby happy and healthy. Your baby should have their first well visit within two days after you give birth. Then they should have other well visits one, two, four, six, nine, 12, 15, and 18 months after. You should have a well visit each year.

IMMUNIZATIONS/VACCINES

Immunizations (vaccines) are a big part of your health and your baby’s health. This is for both during and after pregnancy. They protect you and your baby from diseases like the flu and whooping cough.

Getting vaccines during pregnancy gives your baby immunity. This is also called protection. It lasts for their first few months of life. But you can lose that protection over time. This means that your baby should get vaccines during their first year of life and after. You and your baby can get vaccines during well visits.

Vaccines for you:

Talk to your doctor about which vaccines to get after you give birth. This will help protect you from getting sick. It will also help you pass some antibodies (protection) to your baby. These will be passed through breast milk, if you are able to breastfeed. Getting vaccines after pregnancy is very important if you did not get certain vaccines before or during pregnancy.

Vaccines for your baby:

Babies are born with immune systems that can fight most germs. But there are some diseases that can be very serious. They can even be life-threatening if your baby is not protected.

Vaccines can strengthen their immune system. Babies should get vaccines on a regular schedule. Talk to your doctor at each visit to make sure that your baby is getting the right vaccines.

The Child and Adolescent Vaccine Assessment Tool from the CDC can give you a list of recommended vaccines. Take this to your baby’s next well visit.

BREASTFEEDING

Breastfeeding is also called nursing. It gives your baby all the nutrients they need. Click here to learn about the benefits and things to think about if you choose to breastfeed.

No matter how you feed your baby, it can be hard. Breastfeeding can be easy for some moms, but others often struggle with it. If you are formula feeding, talk with your doctor about which formula is best. Remember, a fed baby is a happy baby, and that’s all that matters.

If you need breastfeeding support, there are free and low-cost choices for you. 

Free Breast Pumps: Did you know that if you have prenatal or postpartum coverage with us, we now also cover breast pumps? Prenatal means before birth. The postpartum period is the first 12 months after birth.

If you are a CHP+ offered by Colorado Access member, you can get a breast pump from durable medical equipment (DME) providers who are in our network. You can still get breast pumps through Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) too.

To get a breast pump from us:

• Ask your doctor for a prescription for a breast pump. They will decide what type of breast pump is right for you. You must have a prescription to get a breast pump from us.

  • If you don’t have a doctor, we can help you find one. Call us at 800-511-5010, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can also find a doctor online at coaccess.com. There is a link to our directory on the homepage of our website.

• Have your doctor send the prescription to a durable medical equipment (DME) provider in our network. Your doctor can call or fax your prescription to the DME provider. You can also bring them a physical copy.

  • Some DME providers can mail the breast pump to your home.

• If you are pregnant, you can get a breast pump as early as your 28th week of pregnancy. If you are postpartum, you can get a breast pump at any time while you are covered by CHP+. Talk to your doctor to decide what is right for you.

• Breast pumps are covered under the DME benefit. There is a $2,000 per calendar year (January through December) limit. If your breast pump needs repairs or replacement parts, this limit will be applied.

• If your doctor says you need a stronger or hospital-grade pump, you can rent one. You will still need to get a prescription for this.

  • Hospital-grade pumps will be rented from a hospital in our network, instead of from a DME supplier.

  • If you rent a pump, you will need to return it when you don’t need it anymore. Talk to your doctor about how long you will need the pump for. If you need the pump for longer than one year, you will need to extend the rental.

We are here to help! If you have any questions, please call us. Call 800-511-5010, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

WIC (Women, Infants and Children) helps give free food to pregnant women, new parents, and families. WIC also has nutrition counseling, new parent education, and breastfeeding support. All pregnant women and parents or caregivers of children younger than five are welcome. Call 800-688-777 to find an office near you. Or you can look online.

Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) is a free home visit program. They can help you learn what to expect during pregnancy and giving birth. You must be a first-time mother and 28 weeks pregnant or less to qualify.

A trained nurse will visit your home to give you support, help, and tips. They will start coming by during your pregnancy. They will keep coming by during your pregnancy and after you give birth.

Mother to Baby is a free service. They can answer questions about the safety/risk of exposures to potentially harmful things during pregnancy or breastfeeding. This means things like medications, vaccines, chemicals, and more.

They can answer by chat, text, phone, and email. They can answer in English and Spanish. Call them at 866-626-6847. Or you can send a text message to 855-999-3525.

La Leche League of Colorado and Wyoming has free breastfeeding education and support. Anyone who wants to breastfeed, chest feed, pump, or combination feed can use their website. They give help in English and Spanish. They have a hotline, support groups, and online meetings.

PREGNANCY-RELATED ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

Anxiety and depression are the most common pregnancy complications. This also means the time after a pregnancy loss. One in seven mothers have depression or anxiety during pregnancy or postpartum. Symptoms are things like:

• Exhaustion.

• Appetite or sleep disturbances.

• Mood swings.

• Feeling overwhelmed.

• Crying and sadness.

• Loss of interest in your baby.

Pregnancy-related anxiety and depression often need to be treated to get better. If you have any of the symptoms, talk to your doctor.

We can help you find a doctor if you don’t already have one. Call us at 866-833-5717. Call Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Is it “Baby blues” or postpartum depression? About eight out of 10 mothers feel the “baby blues” days after giving birth. Symptoms are things like:

• Rapid mood swings.

• Feeling irritable, hopeless, or anxious.

• Having sleep problems.

• Crying for what seems like no reason.

The “baby blues” often get better without treatment after a week or two. If your mood doesn’t get better after two weeks, it may be postpartum depression. This can only be diagnosed by a doctor.

The symptoms of postpartum depression are similar. But they last more than two weeks. They can be very upsetting. They can make it hard to do daily activities and care for your baby. If you or your loved ones think you may be having postpartum depression, talk to your doctor. They can help with a treatment plan that’s right for you.

Colorado-PSI is the Colorado chapter of Postpartum Support International (PSI). Their website lists support coordinators and other local support. This means things like low or no charge groups and phone help. It also lists local events, trainings, and volunteer opportunities.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has a postpartum depression assessment. They also have a list of help that may be available near you.  

PROMISE Perinatal Mood Disorders Clinic of University of Colorado OB-GYN has on-site screening, treatment, emotional help and community referrals. This is all for women who get pregnancy care with them and who may be experiencing perinatal mood disorders.

• Postpartum Support International (PSI) is a free resource. It has direct peer support, online support groups, and trained professionals to help you manage depression.  

• Click here to find a local PSI coordinator. Or call their helpline at 800-944-4773. They can help connect you the support that’s right for you.

SAFE SLEEP SPACES 

A safe sleep space will help keep your baby from having sleep-related problems. Until their first birthday, babies must sleep on their back. It’s not safe for babies to sleep on their side or stomach.

Use a firm surface with a fitted sheet so your baby can’t roll off. Keep pillows, blankets, crib bumpers, toys, and other soft objects out of your baby’s crib or sleeping space. These things can put babies in danger.

You can share your bedroom with your baby, but not your bed. Click here to learn more about making a safe sleep space.