Your pregnancy journey, your way
As a Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) Apple Health member, you are in charge. Our specialized team is here to help you get the care that is best for you and your baby. From prenatal visits to postpartum and newborn care, your care is covered.
On this page |
Care during pregnancy
Your care team | Prenatal appointments | Exams and tests | Support
With CHPW Apple Health (Medicaid), preventive prenatal care visits and the pregnancy care services you need from in-network providers cost you nothing.
Prenatal care can begin when you’re planning to get pregnant or when you find out you’re pregnant. The earlier, the better.
Our specialized Case Managers can help you build your pregnancy care team and a personalized care plan at no cost to you with the
Your care team
Your prenatal care provider is who you will see most often during your pregnancy and for postpartum care, after your pregnancy. You may also see other types of providers based on your needs and wants.
Search prenatal care providers ➔
Pregnancy care providers: doctors and midwives
Your primary care provider may be a family doctor that can also provide prenatal care. If not, you will need to find a provider that offers prenatal care.
Family doctors (MD or DO), obstetrician gynecologists (OB-GYN), and licensed midwives or certified nurse-midwives are all covered by CHPW Apple Health for prenatal care. Other providers like lactation specialists and doulas may also be part of your care team.
Search for providers near you ➔
Doctors
Family medicine doctors can provide care for all ages. Some family medicine doctors provide pregnancy care, along with pediatric care for your newborn, and primary care for you well after pregnancy. They deliver babies in the hospital but not all do c-sections. If you have a complicated pregnancy, your family medicine doctor may partner with other specialized pregnancy providers.
Obstetricians and obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYN) are medical doctors who specialize in pregnancy care. They deliver babies in hospital settings and are experts in managing pregnancies that may require more medical assistance.
Perinatologists or maternal-fetal medicine specialists are medical doctors who specialize in high-risk pregnancy. You may be referred to these providers if you have a history of complicated pregnancies, chronic health conditions, if other medical issues arise during your pregnancy, or if there is concern about the health of your baby.
Midwives
In Washington, certified nurse-midwives and licensed midwives can be your prenatal care provider. This type of care is focused on delivering babies with little medical assistance. A midwife may also partner with an OB-GYN if your pregnancy needs more medical support.
Certified nurse midwives (CNM) deliver babies at hospitals, birthing centers, and planned home births. They provide pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care, and primary health care services. Certified nurse midwives have a broad scope of practice with experience in both nursing and midwifery.
Licensed midwives (LM) provide complete prenatal and postpartum care, delivery at hospitals, birthing centers, or planned home births, and newborn care for the first two weeks. However, they do not offer ongoing routine care or primary care.
Lactation specialists and doulas
Lactation specialists offer coaching and support to help you breast, chest, or body-feed. This service is covered by CHPW Apple Health. Work with a lactation specialist before you deliver and after you give birth to support your feeding goals. Your prenatal care provider can connect you to a lactation specialist or you can talk with a CHPW Case Manager for help.
Doulas provide birth coaching and emotional support through the birthing process and after birth. They are there for you alongside the doctor or midwife who is responsible for delivery and monitoring your health. In 2025, Apple Health may begin covering the cost for doulas.
Mental and behavioral health
CHPW Apple Health covers mental health services. You also have access to programs, support groups, and online therapy from Perinatal Support Washington.
Your CHPW behavioral health coverage includes support for mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, help for substance use disorder and addiction, , and more.
24/7 Nurse Advice Line and CHPW Virtual Care
Questions or concerns about your health, symptoms, or anything pregnancy care related?
You are never alone as a CHPW member. Talk with a licensed provider by phone or video at any time, day or night, without leaving your home. Connect to CHPW Virtual Care ➔
Need help immediately? If you’re a CHPW member and unsure if CHPW Virtual Care is the right route, call CHPW’s 24/7 Nurse Advice Line at 1-866-418-2920 (TTY:711) any time.
Medical emergency? Call 911.
Other no-cost services and benefits
Alternative treatments: Acupuncture, massage, or chiropractic care may help with pain, discomfort, nausea, headaches, anxiety, and depression. Up to 20 visits combined per year are covered with CHPW Apple Health.
Dental: Changes in your body during pregnancy impact the health of your gums and teeth. And your oral health can impact your health and your baby’s.
Vision: Blurry vision during pregnancy can be a sign of serious problems. If you’re experiencing vision issues, contact your pregnancy provider immediately. Your eye exams and glasses are covered with CHPW Apple Health.
Help to quit smoking: Smoking during pregnancy may cause your baby to be born too early, have a birth defect, or die from sudden infant death syndrome.
Prenatal appointments
The moment you think you might be pregnant, schedule an appointment with your doctor. In every situation, it’s the best first step. Your health is their first priority.
Regular checkups with your pregnancy provider are an important part of your pregnancy care. How often you visit your doctor depends on how far along your pregnancy is and your overall health. Your prenatal care team or case manager can help you understand the care schedule that is right for you.
Example of the number of visits to expect
A prenatal care schedule for someone 18-35 years of age can look like this:
- Every 4 or 6 weeks for the first 32 weeks: 5 to 8 visits
- Every 2 or 3 weeks for the 32nd-37th weeks: 2 to 3 visits
- Every week from the 37th week until giving birth: 4 to 6 visits
Your doctor might ask you to come in for checkups more often if you are over 35, under 18 years, or have a chronic condition like diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, or others.
As a CHPW member, we can help you get safe, reliable transportation to and from medical appointments. Get free rides to medical appointments ➜
As a CHPW Apple Health member, earn up to $100 in gift cards if you see your doctor during your pregnancy.Learn more about rewards for checkups ➜To claim your prenatal gift card rewards, complete the online reward submission form.
Exams and tests
Each visit your provider will check on your health and overall progress of your pregnancy which may include urine tests, blood test, or imaging. You will also be asked how you are feeling emotionally to check on your mental health.
Explore the CHPW health library for details on possible tests, exams, and tips for deciding when it’s optional.
- Exams and tests by trimester: First | Second | Third
- Should I have amniocentesis?
- Should I have CVS (chorionic villus sampling)?
Support to manage your care
Our team of specialized pregnancy care Case Managers provide individualized support during and after your pregnancy, at no cost to you. They can help you:
- Build your personal pregnancy care plan.
- Learn about pregnancy milestones and what to expect.
- Connect you to local resources for food, housing, transportation, and more.
Get more details about the Healthy You, Healthy Baby program
Preparing for baby’s arrival
Your birth plan | Feeding baby | Labor and delivery
Your birth plan
A birth plan is a set of instructions you make about your baby’s birth. It tells your provider:
- Who you want with you during labor.
- What you want to do during labor.
- How you want to manage pain.
- What you want to happen once your baby is born.
- How you wish to feed baby.
- Procedures you’d like done for the newborn and more.
Choosing a pediatrician: Before you give birth, you will choose your baby’s provider. If you have a family doctor providing prenatal care, they may be able to care for your baby, too.
After delivery, your baby will be examined and given necessary tests. Routine medical care for newborns is covered.
Circumcision: CHPW pays up to $200 toward the cost of circumcision for newborns who are assigned male at birth. If it is medically necessary, it is fully covered by the state.
Feeding baby
Chest and breastfeeding provide health benefits for you and your baby. Lactation coaching and a free breast pump are covered by CHPW Apple Health. You can also get help to buy formula through programs like the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program.
How to order your free breast pump
- Up to 90 days before your due date, request a prescription for a free breast pump from your prenatal care provider.
- Submit your free breast pump request and prescription to one of these suppliers. Your Breast Pump will be mailed to the address you provide at no cost to you.
- Nurturing Expressions: Fill out the online form and click submit to order your free breast pump. Go to the form.
- Byram Healthcare: Select your insurance company “Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW)”, select your breast pump, and provide your information. Go to Byram Healthcare’s website
- Norco: Sign up or login, under “Breast Pump Qualification” to complete the order form. Go to Norco’s website
- Advanced Home Medical: Complete this order form and email it to [email protected]. For more details, visit Advanced Home Medical.
For help ordering your breast pump, call us at 1-800-440-1561 (TTY: 711).
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program provides access to no-cost healthy food, formula support, nutrition education, and more. See if you’re eligible for WIC and learn how to apply.
Labor and delivery
Delivery in a hospital, birthing center, or home birth provided by a licensed midwife, nurse midwife or physician, is covered by CHPW Apple Health. Talk with your prenatal care provider or case manager to choose the best place for you.
Browse in-network birthing locations ➔
Tip: When searching for a birthing center, select “Women’s Health” under Provider Type
Choosing where to give birth
Hospitals: Most medical doctors deliver only at hospitals. Certified nurse-midwives (CNM) may deliver babies at some locations too. Many hospitals also offer special birthing rooms that are comfortable and designed to feel like a home
Birthing center: A birthing center is usually staffed by certified nurse-midwives. They can call in a doctor or send you or your baby to a hospital if there are problems.
Home: Licensed midwives (LM) and certified nurse-midwives (CNM) offer delivery services in a home setting. Home births are generally not recommended for high-risk pregnancies.
Preparing for baby resources
Childbirth Education (CBE) classes are offered by Washington State at no cost for Apple Health members. Learn what to expect during labor and delivery, tips for when baby is home, like car seat safety and safe sleeping, and more.
Find a class in your county in the Childbirth Education Provider Directory or call WithinReach at 1-800-322-2588.
Care after pregnancy
Postpartum and newborn care | Mental health | Help with everyday needs
Postpartum and newborn care
Care after you give birth is important for your and your baby’s health. Your postpartum and newborn care is covered, and you can get rewards too!
The postpartum period begins soon after the baby’s delivery and usually lasts six to eight weeks or more depending on the birthing person. Depending on your prenatal care provider, you may transition to a primary care provider after your postpartum period or continue care with them.
Your newborn will automatically be eligible for Apple Health coverage and have continuous coverage from birth through the month they turn six years of age if you were enrolled in Apple Health at the time you gave birth.
Regular checkups, immunizations, and flu shots are covered for your child. Your first well-child checkup is usually at 2 weeks after birth.View checkup calendars by age ➔
Exposure to lead can cause long-term health problems for children that can damage their brain and make it hard for them to learn and grow. It’s important to catch high blood lead levels early.Blood lead level screenings are covered for CHPW members at 12 and 24 months.Read more about lead screenings ➔
Rewards for getting care: Support your child’s health and yours with well-child checkups and postpartum care. CHPW supports you with gift card rewards.
Mental health
When you become a parent or welcome a new baby, it can be a difficult transition for anyone.
Many people experience postpartum anxiety and/or depression symptoms during pregnancy, after delivery, and as non-birthing parents. You have options and there are people that can help.
Learn more about mental health care coverage with CHPW ➔
To get support, contact your pregnancy care provider or find resources through Perinatal Support Washington
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available anytime at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).
Help with everyday needs
Our local team will work with you to help you find support for all aspects of your life. Things like applying for WIC benefits, food assistance, help paying utility bills or rent, or finding affordable childcare.
Connect to community support services ➔
Member Handbook
CHPW’s Member Handbook is your in-depth guide to the benefits and services we cover. The Member Handbook is available to view or download in seven languages.
