VA services for pregnant Veterans

Pregnancy can be an exciting time of waiting and planning for your new baby. It’s also full of potentially stressful appointments to track, and it can be tough to arrange all the necessary services you or your baby may need to stay healthy.

VA offers a range of services to carry you through your pregnancy, delivery and postpartum period. For Veterans enrolled in VA health care, VA covers your care from the first positive pregnancy test throughout your whole pregnancy—and it includes postpartum care and initial care for your newborn, too.

Maternity care is covered and coordinated by VA, including your care provided in non-VA facilities. VA’s goal is to help you have a safe and healthy pregnancy while lessening the stress of managing your care and navigating a major life change.

Your dedicated maternity care coordinator

Every VA facility has a maternity care coordinator who can help you find and arrange appointments and services. Maternity care coordinators are your health care advocates both within and outside of VA facilities.

Your coordinator can answer any questions you may have about services and coverage throughout your pregnancy, and they can help you:

• Navigate health care services both inside and outside of VA
• Access care for your other physical and mental health needs
• Connect to community resources
• Support and services in case of miscarriage or stillbirth
• Connect to care after delivery
• Answer questions about billing

Maternity care coordinators work with you on all your pregnancy needs.

It can be particularly challenging to talk about your mental health, especially when you might feel pressure to be happy while preparing for the baby and after your pregnancy. These feelings are common and VA provides various services including counseling support to help you through this journey.

VA has clinicians who specialize in reproductive mental health and will work with you to identify a plan and treatment solutions to meet your needs.

Seamless care during your pregnancy

If you are planning to become pregnant, telling your VA health care provider is the first step in a healthy pregnancy.

Your provider can review your current medications and discuss the risks and benefits of each medication during pregnancy. They can also assist you with healthy eating and address other concerns you may have.

If you are not yet enrolled in VA health care, you can get started by checking your eligibility. If you don’t know where to start or need help, call or text the Women Veterans Call Center at 855-VA-WOMEN. Representatives can answer your questions about eligibility and available services and connect you with your local health care resources.

What types of maternity care does VA cover?

As a pregnant Veteran, you will receive support throughout your entire pregnancy. VA also covers initial care for your newborn. These services include:

• Regular prenatal care, including ultrasounds
• Full physical exams and lab tests
• Prenatal education and screening
• Obstetrical ultrasounds
• Genetic tests and specialty consults
• Prescription drugs and prenatal vitamins
• Lactation support
• Support and services in case of miscarriage or stillbirth
• Social work and mental health services

VA also covers many supplies you will need during your pregnancy and postpartum, such as:

• Nursing bras
• Nursing pads
• Breast/chest pumps
• Pregnancy and postpartum support belts
• Nipple cream
• Milk storage bags

For more information on maternity care

Let VA exceed your expectations. Get in touch with your VA primary care provider and they will connect you with your local maternity care coordinator to discuss the wide variety of services and supplies available to you during, and after, your pregnancy.

You can also check out our website or maternal health brochure for more information on what VA offers to expecting parents.