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Postpartum Care

For questions please call 303-368-3312

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Your Health Matters After Childbirth

Are you pregnant or did you recently have a baby? Taking care of yourself is just as important as caring for your baby. Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) both cover postpartum checkups, birth control, and mental health support at no cost. Make sure to also add your newborn to your benefits so they can get the health care they need.

Check in with your doctor within the first few weeks after birth and schedule a postpartum checkup for no later than 12 weeks. Your doctor will make sure you’re healing and feeling well, and that you have the support you need.

Want to learn more about your postpartum benefits? Need help finding a doctor? Or do you need a ride to your doctor’s appointments? Call our customer service team at 303-368-3312, or find a doctor near you online.

 

The Fourth Trimester: Caring for Yourself After Birth

The weeks and months after birth are often called the fourth trimester. This time can bring many changes to your body and mind. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, tired, or unsure, but you don’t have to navigate this time alone.

Why Your Postpartum Checkup Matters

Common postpartum changes include:

  • Cramping, bleeding, soreness, or changes in digestion.
  • Fatigue and unpredictable sleep.
  • Hormonal shifts that may cause mood swings, anxiety, or night sweats.
  • Feeling hungrier, especially if you are breastfeeding.

Your postpartum checkup is a chance to focus on your health, recovery, and well-being after birth. Health First Colorado and CHP+ cover this visit at no cost.

At your checkup, your doctor can help with:

  • Your body’s recovery: Checking for pain, bleeding, healing, and any concerns.
  • Your emotional well-being: Support for mood changes or postpartum depression.
  • Your energy and sleep: Managing exhaustion and helping you feel your best. Newborns wake often, which makes sleep unpredictable. Fatigue can affect your mood and well-being.
  • Your family planning choices: Birth control options and pregnancy spacing.
  • Your overall health: Support for chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes.

Taking care of yourself is just as important as caring for your baby. Schedule your postpartum checkup today. Find a doctor near you.

Signs of Postpartum Depression

Many new parents feel emotional ups and downs, but if you experience any of the following symptoms, it may be postpartum depression or anxiety:

  • Feeling sad, hopeless, or overwhelmed most of the time.
  • Difficulty feeling close to your baby.
  • Extreme fatigue or loss of interest in daily activities.
  • Severe mood swings, irritability, or anxiety.
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.

You are not alone, and you can get help when you need it. Go to coaccess.com/healthybaby to learn more about resources for you.

When to Call Your Doctor

Some postpartum symptoms are normal, but others may need urgent medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you experience:

  • Heavy bleeding that soaks a pad in an hour.
  • Severe headaches, dizziness, or vision changes.
  • Chest pain or trouble breathing.
  • A fever over 100.4°F.
  • Pain, swelling, or redness in one leg.
  • Thoughts of self-harm or harming your baby.

Your doctor can help you recover, feel supported, and stay healthy. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t wait – get help. If you need immediate help for a mental health crisis, call 988 for the Colorado Mental Health Helpline, or chat online at 988colorado.com.

Family Planning and Birth Control Options

Your postpartum checkup is a great time to talk with your doctor about family planning and birth control options. Health First Colorado and CHP+ cover many options at no cost to you.

Your doctor can help you decide what works best for you. Schedule your postpartum checkup to learn more about your options. Find a doctor near you.

Where to Get Birth Control

  • Your doctor
  • Community health centers
  • Family planning clinics

Birth Control Options

  • Birth control pills or rings.
  • Intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants.
  • Surgical sterilization. This includes tubal ligation and vasectomies. Some restrictions may apply.
  • Condoms and other methods.