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Preventive Services Recommendations for Maternal Health

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Staying Healthy: Preventive Services Recommendations for Maternal Health

Use these recommendations as a guide. When you know about preventive servicesand when to have themyou're helping yourself to stay healthy and give your baby a healthy start.

Preventive services can include:

  •  Check-ups
  •  Lab tests
  •  Medicines
  •  Exams

These recommendations are specific to maternal health. Talk with your doctor or other healthcare professional about any additional preventive services you may need to protect both you and your baby.

This brochure is divided into two sections:

  •  Screenings
  •  Vaccines
  •  Counseling

Health Screenings and Other Preventive Services

Staying Healthy: Recommendations for Maternal Health

Before Pregnancy

Some vaccines may be harmful if given during pregnancy. If you're not protected from MMR or chickenpox, talk with your doctor so you can be up to date before you get pregnant. 1-3

Vaccine Timing For Your Information
Chickenpox 1,2 Varicella At least 1 month or more before pregnancy, unless you're already protected This vaccine should not be given during pregnancy.
MMR 1,2 Measles, mumps, rubella At least 1 month or more before pregnancy, unless you're already protected This vaccine should not be given during pregnancy.

During Pregnancy

The COVID-19, flu, RSV, and Tdap vaccines are safe for pregnant people and their babies. When you get these vaccines while pregnant, you pass antibodies to your baby which helps protect them from these diseases during their first few months of life. 2,4

Vaccine Timing For Your Information
COVID-19 1,2,4 If pregnant and not up to date Getting COVID-19 during pregnancy can lead to problems for both you and your baby. You can get a COVID-19 vaccine any time during your pregnancy.
Influenza/Flu 1,2,4 If pregnant during flu season Getting sick with the flu can be harmful when you're pregnant. It's best to get the flu shot in September or October. You can also get it in July or August if you'll be in your third trimester during those months.
RSV 1,2,4 Respiratory syncytial virus During weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy from September to January Babies can become very ill from RSV. Getting the RSV vaccine when you're pregnant can help protect your baby against RSV.
Tdap 1,2,4 Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis In the early part of weeks 27 through 36 of pregnancy is preferred Tdap protects against pertussis (whooping cough), which can be very harmful for your baby. This vaccine should be given each time you're pregnant.

Staying Healthy: Recommendations for Maternal Health

Vaccines (Continued)

After Childbirth

If you didn't receive certain vaccines before or during pregnancy, it's especially important to get them after you give birth to protect yourself from getting sick.

Vaccine Timing For Your Information
Chickenpox 1,2 Varicella After pregnancy If you're not protected from chickenpox and didn't get the vaccine before pregnancy, it's recommended you get vaccinated shortly after your baby is born.
HPV 1,2 Human papillomavirus After pregnancy The HPV vaccine is not recommended until after pregnancy.
MMR 1,2 Measles, mumps, rubella After pregnancy If you're not protected from MMR and didn't get the vaccine before pregnancy, it's recommended you get vaccinated shortly after your baby is born.

Other Vaccines

You may also need other vaccines if you didn't get them when you were younger, have certain health conditions, work in a lab, or travel to countries where you may be exposed to diseases that can be prevented with a vaccine.

Vaccine For Your Information
Hepatitis A 1,2 Your doctor may recommend a Hepatitis A vaccine if you're at risk of infection or serious illness from infection during pregnancy.
Hepatitis B 1,2,5 If you haven't had the Hepatitis B vaccine, talk with your doctor about getting tested for the infection and if a vaccine is right for you. If you have Hepatitis B, your baby is at high risk of becoming infected during delivery.
Meningococcal ACWY 1,2 This vaccine can be given during pregnancy if you're at risk of MenACWY.
Meningococcal B 1,2,6 The meningococcal B vaccine should be delayed until after pregnancy unless you're at increased risk of infection. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of getting vaccinated.
Vaccines for Travel 5 If you're planning international travel when pregnant, talk with your doctor 4 to 6 weeks before you're scheduled to leave. Ask about any vaccines you may need and things you can do to travel safely.

Health Screenings and Other Preventive Services

Health screenings and other preventive services can help find health problems early when they're often most treatable.

Service Who Timing For Your Information
Aspirin Use to Prevent Preeclampsia 7 Pregnant women at high risk for preeclampsia After 12 weeks of pregnancy Preeclampsia is high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy. If you're at high risk of preeclampsia, your doctor may prescribe low-dose aspirin to help lower your risk.
Bacteria in the Urine Screening 8,9 Pregnant women of any age with no signs or symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) During the first prenatal visit or at 12 to 16 weeks of pregnancy, whichever is earlier It's possible to have bacteria in your urine and no pain or other symptoms. If not treated, this can lead to a UTI which may get worse and become a kidney infection.
Blood Pressure Measurements in Pregnancy 10,11 All pregnant women who aren't diagnosed with high blood pressure Blood pressure measurements at every prenatal care visit throughout pregnancy High blood pressure is common during pregnancy. It can cause serious problems for both you and your baby. If you develop high blood pressure during pregnancy, you'll need to be closely watched. It's important to treat high
Breastfeeding Support 12 Pregnant women, new mothers, and their children During pregnancy and continuing after childbirth blood pressure before, pregnancy. Talk with your doctor about breastfeeding support to help you be successful.
Daily Folic Acid Supplement 13,14 All women who plan to or who could become pregnant Begin 1 month before getting pregnant and continue through the first 2 to 3 months of pregnancy Taking a daily folic acid supplement can help prevent serious problems with your baby's brain and spine.

Health Screenings and Other Preventive Services (Continued)

Service Who Timing For Your Information
Gestational Diabetes Testing 15,16 Pregnant women who haven't been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes One time blood glucose (sugar) test at or after 24 weeks of pregnancy Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy, which can lead to health problems for you and your baby. It can also increase the risk of having a large baby that may need to be delivered by C-section.
Healthy Weight Gain in Pregnancy Counseling 17 Pregnant teens and adults Start at the end of the first trimester or beginning of the second trimester Pregnant women should be offered or referred to counseling to help support healthy weight gain during pregnancy. This can also help lower your risk of problems linked with gaining too much weight.
Hepatitis B Screening 18 Pregnant women During first prenatal visit Hepatitis B screening should be done each time you're pregnant. Even if you've had the vaccine or negative test results in the past. If you're at high risk of Hepatitis B, you may need to be screened again at the time of delivery.
HIV Testing 19 Teens and adults ages 15 to 65 years; all pregnant women As determined by doctor You may need to repeat HIV screening during your third trimester, especially if you're at higher risk of infection.
Maternal Depression Counseling 20 Pregnant and postpartum women at risk of depression As determined by doctor Depression that occurs during or after pregnancy is common. Those who are at higher risk should be offered counseling. If you're pregnant or recently had a baby and feel depressed, let your doctor know.
Rh Factor Blood Testing 21,22 All pregnant women During first prenatal visit Everyone's blood type has a positive or negative factor, called Rh factor. Your Rh factor doesn't harm your health. It only becomes an issue during pregnancy if you're Rh-negative and your baby is Rh-positive. This is called Rh(D) incompatibility. Testing and treating this early in pregnancy can prevent problems that may occur.
Syphilis Testing in Pregnancy 23 All pregnant women As early as possible in pregnancy All pregnant women are at risk of syphilis and should be screened early in pregnancy. Those who don't receive prenatal care should be screened at the time of delivery. If infect the baby.

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended immunization schedule for adults ages 19 years or older, United States, 2024. Updated February 29, 2024. Accessed April 3, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/adult/adult-combined-schedule.pdf
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccines you need throughout your life. Updated December 2023. Accessed April 3, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/adult/adults-schedule-easy-read.pdf
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pregnancy and vaccines. Reviewed September 29, 2023. Accessed October 19, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/by-age/pregnancy.html
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccines and pregnancy: things to know. Reviewed September 29, 2023. Accessed November 2, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/pregnant-women/need-to-know.html
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccines during and after pregnancy. Reviewed September 29, 2023. Accessed November 6, 2023.https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/vacc-during-after.html
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guidelines for vaccinating pregnant women. Reviewed July 13, 2022. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/hcp-toolkit/guidelines.html
  7. Davidson KW. Aspirin use to prevent preeclampsia and related morbidity and mortality: US Preventive Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2021;326(12):1186-1191. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.14781
  8. Owens DK. Screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria in adults: US Preventive Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2019;322(12):1188-1194. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.13069
  9. MedlinePlus. Asymptomatic bacteriuria. Reviewed August 15, 2022. Accessed October 30, 2023. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000520.htm
  10. Barry MJ. Screening for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: US Preventive Task Force final recommendation statement. JAMA. 2023;330(11):1074-1082. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.16991
  11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High blood pressure during pregnancy. Reviewed June 19, 2023. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/pregnancy.htm
  12. Bibbins-Domingo K. Primary care interventions to support breastfeeding: US Preventive Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2016;316(16):1688-1693. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.14697
  13. Barry MJ. Folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects. US Preventive Task Force reaffirmation recommendation statement. JAMA. 2023;330(5):454-459. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.12876
  14. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 5 ways to lower the risk of having a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect. Accessed October 30, 2023. https://www/cdc/gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/5-ways-to-lower-the-risk.html
  15. Davidson KW. Screening for gestational diabetes: US Preventive Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2021;326(6):531-538. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.11922
  16. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gestational diabetes. Reviewed December 30, 2022. Accessed October 30, 2023. https://www/cdc/gov/diabetes/basics/gestional.html
  17. Davidson KW. Behavioral counseling interventions for healthy weight and weight gain in pregnancy. US Preventive Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2021;325(20):2087-2093. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.6949
  18. Owens DK. Screening for hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women: US Preventive Services Task Force reaffirmation recommendation statement. JAMA. 2019;322(4):349-354. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.9365
  19. Owens DK. Screening for HIV infection: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. Published online June 11, 2019. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.6587
  20. Curry SJ. Interventions to prevent perinatal depression: US Preventive Task Force final recommendation statement. JAMA. 2019;321(6):580-587. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.0007
  21. Calonge N. Screening for Rh(D) incompatibility: US Preventive Task Force final recommendation statement. Rockville MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2004. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/rh-d-incompatibility-screening
  22. Cleveland Clinic. Rh factor. Reviewed November 10, 2022. Accessed November 3, 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21053-rh-factor
  23. Curry SJ. Screening for syphilis infection in pregnant women: US Preventive Services Task Force reaffirmation recommendation statement. JAMA. 2018;320(9):911-917. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.11785