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Pre-conception/Pre-pregnancy/Planning
Preconception is the time before you become pregnant. You can consider this a planning phase in life. Preparing yourself for pregnancy will help you to have the best experience for you and your baby.
Planning to get pregnant?
Schedule an appointment to discuss your plans with your physician, doctor, physician's assistant, nurse midwife, or nurse practitioner. Work with them to optimize your health, assess risk factors that could complicate your pregnancy, and start care/treatment, as needed. The appointment is a great time to discuss questions or concerns that you may have with your healthcare team.
Appointments, before- during- and after pregnancy, may cover:
- Managing chronic disease that you may have like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, or thyroid disorders
- Reviewing your diet and lifestyle and encouraging you to practice healthy habits
- Reviewing your pregnancy history, potential complications, and risk factors
- Reviewing of your medications, ensuring that they are safe for you and your unborn baby during pregnancy
- Assessing for, managing, and/or treating sexually transmitted infections like syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV, HIV, or Hepatitis
- Assessing your immunity status to common diseases and offer immunization that will protect you and your baby
- Screening for and managing substance abuse, smoking, alcohol use.
For additional information about staying healthy before and during pregnancy – visit these sites:
For additional information about vaccines, sexually transmitted infections, smoking, substance, and alcohol use- visit these sites:
The State of STIs in the United States (Printable & Accessible Version)
Preventing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (Printable & Accessible Version)
Finding a Healthcare Provider
A woman's health is important prior to, during, and after pregnancy. This phase of your life, when your family is growing, is a time to be at your best state of health.
Negative outcomes like preterm birth or pregnancy loss affect approximately 1 in 5 pregnancies in the United States. Pre-pregnancy and prenatal care can reduce the likelihood of negative outcomes for both mom and the baby.
Finding the right provider for you can be a difficult task. For obstetric care (maternity or pregnancy care) there are different types of providers available to you. Your individual preferences play a key factor in selecting the best type of provider for you. Your health status and that of your baby may direct the type of provider involved in your care.
A provider may be an obstetrician (OB-GYN), doctor/physician, or certified nurse midwife. Each professional will have different levels of education, training, and licensure.
Some women opt to receive additional support during pregnancy and with childbirth from a doula. A doula is a trained non-medical professional who provides support to you during this special time. Doulas enhance the care that you receive from your medical providers.
For guidance on how to choose the best provider for you, visit: Consumer Reports
For assistance locating a provider for care, please refer to:
To locate a doula provider, please refer to these organizations (e-mail our program to have a new program added to this list):
Insurance and Pregnancy “Presumptive Eligibility"
Don't wait for insurance coverage from Medicaid when you or your child needs medical care!
Nebraska Medicaid's Presumptive Eligibility Program offers financial coverage to healthcare providers while a patient or individual's application for Medicaid is being processed and eligibility determined.
Participants in this program must meet qualifications.
Applicants, providers and healthcare organizations can learn more about Presumptive Eligibility at NE Hospital and Pregnant Women Presumptive Eligibility
Please take care of yourself!
