Supporting Kansas Moms: A Call to Action for Maternal Health During Women’s History Month

By: John Fong, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer; and Sonia Jordan, Health Equity Manager

Women’s History Month is a time to honor the contributions, resilience and strength of women throughout history. It’s also an opportunity to recognize the challenges that many women continue to face, including the negative maternal health outcomes that impact mothers, babies and families across Kansas. Even in a country with great hospitals and health care providers, many moms still face serious health problems during pregnancy, childbirth and after having a baby.

We know that some Kansans are more at-risk than others for serious health problems. Oftentimes, a mother’s age or whether she lives in a rural or urban community may contribute to their likelihood of having health problems during their pregnancy. These health issues can hurt moms, babies and families long past the delivery date.

Fixing this problem won’t be easy and we all play a part in improving the health and well-being of Kansas mothers during the special yet challenging period of bringing a baby into the world.

You can make a difference
By offering support – whether through small acts of kindness or sharing helpful resources, you can make a real difference. Here are some ways you can help pregnant moms feel cared for and supported during this special time:

Help with tasks: Offer to run errands or assist with household chores for your friends, family members and neighbors who may have their hands full as they welcome a new baby and manage other responsibilities.
Help with appointments: Offer a ride or accompany them to doctor’s appointments for extra support.
Speak up: Share tips and information about employers, schools, daycares or community groups that provide resources for pregnant women and their families.
Raise awareness: Share information about maternal health on social media or with friends and family to highlight its importance. One free resource is the National Maternal Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). Trained counselors are on staff who can speak both English and Spanish.
Support local programs: Donate to or volunteer with organizations that focus on improving maternal health.
Watch for warning signs: Learn about the signs of complications like preeclampsia or postpartum depression, and help moms seek care if needed.

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS), we are also taking steps to improve maternal health outcomes for our members and in the Kansas communities we serve:

Blue Distinction Centers for maternal health: BCBSKS staff are working with hospitals in Kansas to achieve Blue Distinction Center designation, which assures the facility has strong programs in place to improve care for moms and babies.
Supporting Kansas Birth Equity Network training: The Kansas Birth Equity Network expanded access to education for staff and more health care facilities with funding support from BCBSKS.
Connecting members to care earlier in pregnancy: BCBSKS provides a wellness program for members who are pregnant. For more information, call 800-520-3137 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Members can access free prenatal and postpartum care from nurses.
Expanding Access to Baby Talk: Baby Talk is a free prenatal program offered by the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita. It focuses on prenatal and postpartum education in Kansas and has shown improved health outcomes for participating mothers. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) is funding the program to expand its reach and serve more mothers.

At BCBSKS, we value you, your culture and community. We are dedicated to improving health outcomes at both the individual and community levels, striving for a more accessible, inclusive, and equitable health system that helps everyone reach their full potential. This commitment drives us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of mothers, babies, and families across Kansas. Through our programs, resources and care, we are enhancing the health and well-being of moms and babies in Kansas

Every small step counts – whether it’s giving moms better care, supporting important programs, or just being there to listen. By ensuring the well-being of mothers and babies, we are investing in the future success of Kansas. Healthy families lead to thriving communities, which in turn drive the prosperity and growth of our state.