If you are pregnant or have recently given birth, seeing your obstetrician and gynecologist (OB/GYN) is important for the health of you and your baby. In this video, OB/GYN and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico Medical Director Dr. Vicky Spann advises moms to schedule prenatal and postpartum appointments.
Hello, I’m Dr. Vicky Spann,an Obstetrician and Gynecologist and a Medical Director atBlue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico. We care about moms and babies,and we have two questions for you. First, are you pregnant?If so, make an appointment with your OB/GYN in the first trimester or as soon as you know you’re pregnant. Pregnancy and prenatal care go hand in hand.By starting your prenatal care early, you can decrease your risk of pregnancy complications for you and your baby. Second, have you recently delivered a baby? If so, please attend your postpartum appointment
to make sure you are recovering from delivery and adjusting to life as a mom.
Postpartum care is important because new moms can be at risk for serious and sometimes life-threatening complications in the days and weeks after giving birth. Postpartum care is just as important as prenatal care. A postpartum visit should occur no later than 12 weeks after delivery. Also, don’t forget to make a well-child checkup for your baby too! Don’t delay; call your OB/GYN to schedule your prenatal and postpartum appointments. As always, remember to talk to your health care provider about any health questions or concerns you may have.