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Health Topics

Pregnancy

You're pregnant!  Congratulations! 

While pregnancy is an exciting time, it is also a time when you may have many questions and concerns. On this page, we have put together information and resources to help you take care of yourself (and baby!).  We are glad to be able to share the medically reviewed information with you but remember: nothing takes the place of regular visits with your health care provider for prenatal care.

If you are still looking for a physician, please consider Good Neighbor Community Health Center and Good Neighbor Fremont.  We have contracted with highly qualified OB providers who look forward to working with you to help make your pregnancy a happy and healthy one. 

To make an appointment or for more information, please call (402) 562-7500 (Columbus) or (402) 721-0951 (Fremont).

 

Drug Use

Drug Use

Research shows that use of tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs or misuse of prescription drugs by pregnant women can have severe health consequences for infants. Many substances pass easily through the placenta, so substances that a pregnant woman takes also reach the fetus.  Recent research also shows that smoking tobacco or marijuana, taking prescription pain relievers, or using illegal drugs during pregnancy is associated with double or even triple the risk of stillbirth. Regular use of some drugs can cause neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), in which the baby goes through withdrawal upon birth. The type and severity of an infant's withdrawal symptoms depend on the drug(s) used, how long and how often the birth mother used, how her body breaks the drug down, and whether the infant was born full term or prematurely.

Symptoms of drug withdrawal in a newborn can develop immediately or up to 14 days after birth and can include:

  • Blotchy skin coloring
  • Diarrhea
  • Excessive or high-pitched crying
  • Abnormal sucking reflex
  • Fever
  • Hyperactive reflexes
  • Increased muscle tone
  • Irritability
  • Poor feeding
  • Rapid breathing
  • Seizures
  • Sleep problems
  • Slow weight gain
  • Stuffy nose and sneezing
  • Sweating
  • Trembling
  • Vomiting

Effects of using some drugs could be long-term and possibly fatal to the baby.  These include:

  • Birth defects
  • Low birth weight
  • Premature birth
  • Small head circumference
  • Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Marijuana Use and Pregnancy

  • Marijuana use during pregnancy can be harmful to your baby’s health. The chemicals in marijuana (in particular, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC) pass through your system to your baby and can harm your baby’s development.
  • The chemicals in any form of marijuana may be bad for your baby. This includes: marijuana that can be ingested (eaten or drunk); creams or lotions that are applied to skin; marijuana that is smoked, vaped or dabbed.
  • Research shows that using marijuana while you are pregnant can cause low birth weight in newborns.
     

Opioid Use During Pregnancy

Use of opioids (prescription pain medication for moderate to severe pain) during pregnancy can affect women and their babies. Opioid exposure during pregnancy has been linked to negative health effects for both mothers and their babies, including:

  • Maternal death
  • Poor fetal growth
  • Preterm birth
  • Stillbirth
  • Possible specific birth defects
  • Neonatal abstinence syndrome
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In the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, call your healthcare provider right away if you have:

  • A fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit

  • Heavy bleeding, soaking more than one pad an hour for three hours

  • Unusual or severe cramping or abdominal pain

  • Severe or persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea

  • Fainting spells or dizziness

  • Pain, burning, or trouble urinating

  • Unusual vaginal discharge

  • Swelling in your hands, fingers, or face

  • Blurred vision or spots before your eyes

  • One extremity (arm or leg) swollen more than the other

  • Severe headaches

  • Pain or cramping in your arms, legs, or chest

  • Our Patient Portal makes it easy to access your medical records and manage your health.

  • Good Faith Estimate

    You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost

    Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

    You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

    Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.

    If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

    Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

    For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call (816) 426-2821.

  • Estimación de Buena Fe

    Tiene derecho a recibir una "Estimación de Buena Fe" que explique cuánto costará su atención médica

    Según la ley, los proveedores de atención médica deben dar a los pacientes que no tienen seguro o que no están usando el seguro una estimación de la factura de artículos y servicios médicos.

    Tiene derecho a recibir una Estimación de Buena Fe del costo total esperado de cualquier artículo o servicio que no sea de emergencia. Esto incluye costos relacionados, como exámenes médicos, medicamentos recetados, equipo y honorarios hospitalarios.

    Asegúrese de que su proveedor de atención médica le dé una Estimación de Buena Fe por escrito al menos 1 día hábil antes de su servicio o artículo médico. También puede pedirle a su proveedor de atención médica, y a cualquier otro proveedor que elija, una Estimación de Buena Fe antes de programar un artículo o servicio.

    Si recibe una factura que es por lo menos 4 400 más que su Estimación de Buena Fe, puede impugnarla.

    Asegúrese de guardar una copia o imagen de su Estimación de Buena Fe.

    Para preguntas o más información sobre su derecho a una Estimación de Buena Fe, visite www.cms.gov/nosurprises o llama a (816) 426-2821.

  • Estimation de bonne foi

    Vous avez le droit de recevoir une "Estimation de bonne foi" expliquant le coût de vos soins médicaux

    En vertu de la loi, les fournisseurs de soins de santé doivent donner aux patients qui n'ont pas d'assurance ou qui n'utilisent pas d'assurance une estimation de la facture des articles et services médicaux.

    Vous avez le droit de recevoir une Estimation de bonne foi du coût total prévu de tout article ou service non urgent. Cela inclut les coûts connexes tels que les tests médicaux, les médicaments sur ordonnance, l'équipement et les frais hospitaliers.

    Assurez-vous que votre fournisseur de soins de santé vous donne une estimation de bonne foi par écrit au moins 1 jour ouvrable avant votre service médical ou votre article. Vous pouvez également demander à votre fournisseur de soins de santé et à tout autre fournisseur de votre choix une estimation de bonne foi avant de planifier un article ou un service.

    Si vous recevez une facture d'au moins 400 $ de plus que votre estimation de bonne foi, vous pouvez contester la facture.

    Assurez-vous d'enregistrer une copie ou une photo de votre Estimation de bonne foi.

    Pour des questions ou plus d'informations sur votre droit à une estimation de bonne foi, visitez www.cms.gov/nosurprises ou appelez le (816) 426-2821.

  • Qiyaasta Iimaanka Wanaagsan

    Waxa aad xaq u leedahay in aad hesho “Qiyaasta Iimaanka Wanaagsan” oo sharxaysa inta ay ku kacayso daryeelkaaga caafimaad

    Sida sharciga qabo, bixiyeyaasha daryeelka caafimaadku waxay u baahan yihiin inay siiyaan bukaanka aan caymis lahayn ama aan isticmaalin caymiska qiyaasta biilka alaabta iyo adeegyada caafimaadka.

    Waxaad xaq u leedahay inaad hesho Qiyaasta Iimaanka Wanaagsan ee wadarta kharashka la filayo ee alaab kasta ama adeegyo aan degdeg ahayn. Tan waxa ku jira kharashyada la xidhiidha sida shaybaadhka caafimaadka, daawooyinka dhakhtar qoray, qalabka, iyo khidmadaha isbitaalka.

    Hubi in bixiyaha xanaanada caafimaadkaagu uu qoraal ahaan ku siiyo Qiyaasta Iimaanka Wanaagsan ugu yaraan 1 maalin shaqo ka hor adeegaaga ama shaygaaga. Waxa kale oo aad waydiisan kartaa bixiyaha xanaanada caafimaadkaaga, iyo bixiye kasta oo kale oo aad doorato, Qiyaasta rumaysadka Wanaagsan ka hor inta aanad ballansan shay ama adeeg.

    Haddii aad hesho biil ugu yaraan $400 ka badan Qiyaasta rumaysadkaaga Wanaagsan, waxaad ka doodi kartaa biilka.

    Hubi inaad kaydiso nuqul ama sawirka Qiyaasta rumaysadkaaga Wanaagsan.

    Wixii su'aalo ah ama macluumaad dheeraad ah oo ku saabsan xaqa aad u leedahay Qiyaasta Iimaanka Wanaagsan, booqo www.cms.gov/nosurprises ama wac (816) 426-2821.

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