New Mexico Health Connections | my connection | Fall 2019

{ MYCONNECTION } 3 Facebook “f”Logo CMYK / .ai FALL 2019 MYCONNECTION is published as a health and wellness service for the members of NEW MEXICO HEALTH CONNECTIONS. Information comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your primary care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2019 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. ID0698-0919 Find us online: mynmhc.org Contact us: Customer Service : 866-668-9002 mynmhc.org/contact_us.aspx Yvonne Garcia, editor yvonne.garcia@mynmhc.org Facebook “f”Logo CMYK / .ai Y ou just found out you’re pregnant. Congratulations! Now it’s time to call your doctor to set up the first of your prenatal care visits. Prenatal care is very important for all moms-to- be. Regular checkups can help keep you and your baby healthy throughout your pregnancy to delivery. Your first prenatal visit is usually the longest because your doctor will have a lot of questions for you. Your checkup may include: • A physical exam, including a pelvic exam and a Pap smear. • A check of your blood, blood pressure and urine. • Any vaccinations you may need. • A discussion about prenatal tests. At this visit your doctor will also tell you your due date. During later checkups, your doctor will listen to your baby’s heartbeat and measure your belly to check your baby’s growth. Use these visits to get answers to any questions you might have about your pregnancy and delivery. We have online resources to help you know what to expect during pregnancy, how to stay healthy, and what to expect during labor and delivery. There is also a list of local resources to help you find the support you may need. Learn more at mynmhc.org/moms-to -be-pregnancy-resources.aspx . Sources: March of Dimes; Office on Women’s Health Naloxone coprescribing law in New Mexico On June 14 of this year, a new law related to the prescribing of naloxone took effect in New Mexico. Naloxone is a drug used to reverse the effects of strong pain medicines—known as opioids—such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, tramadol and methadone. As a result of this law, healthcare providers who write a prescription for five or more days of opioid treatment must also write a prescription for naloxone. This means that providers will write a prescription for naloxone for patients who are being prescribed an opioid for the first time or for the first time each year. Naloxone is available in several formulations, is easy to use and saves lives. If you receive a naloxone prescription, be sure to fill it. Talk with your family and friends about using it, if you need to. To learn how to administer naloxone, visit drugfree.org/article/ overdose-response-treatment . Vacation overrides for prescriptions If you plan on being out of the state for an extended period, NMHC can review your request for a vacation supply. We may be able to enter an override to allow early refills. Please call customer service at 866-668-9002 to request a vacation supply. We will review vacation supply requests on a case-by-case basis. Vacation overrides are limited to two per calendar year. { W E L L N E S S } PRENATAL CARE Healthy you, healthy baby

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