Your Medicaid Pregnancy Benefits—Made Simple
What Does Medicaid Cover During Pregnancy?
Finding out you’re pregnant can bring a mix of emotions—excitement, nerves, maybe even a little stress about money. The good news is you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Medicaid is here to help. It provides free or low-cost health coverage for pregnant women so you and your baby can get the care you need without worrying about huge medical bills.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what Medicaid usually covers during pregnancy:
Prenatal Check-Ups, Ultrasounds, and Lab Tests
Think of prenatal care as your “pregnancy check-ins.” These visits help make sure you and your baby are healthy as your pregnancy moves along. Medicaid covers:
Doctor or midwife visits throughout your pregnancy
Ultrasounds to check on your baby’s growth and development
Blood tests and lab work to keep an eye on your health (like checking iron levels, blood sugar, or infections)
Why it matters: These visits catch little problems before they turn into big ones.
Prenatal Vitamins
Your baby needs certain nutrients to grow strong. Medicaid usually covers:
Prenatal vitamins with methylated folate (helps prevent birth defects)
Fish Oil helps with spinal cord development for baby (may not be covered but highly recommend)
Why it matters: Staying healthy keeps both you and your baby safe.
Labor, Delivery, and Postpartum Care
When the big day comes, you shouldn’t have to stress about cost. Medicaid covers:
Labor and delivery in a hospital, birthing center, or with a certified midwife
Hospital stay after delivery
Postpartum checkups to make sure you’re healing well
Why it matters: Your body goes through a lot—this coverage helps you recover and care for yourself after giving birth.
Baby’s Care: Checkups, Shots, and Follow-Ups
Your baby’s first year of life is full of important milestones. Medicaid usually includes:
Newborn checkups right after birth
Routine doctor visits to track your baby’s growth
Vaccinations (shots)
Follow-up care if your baby needs extra support
Why it matters: Babies grow fast—regular care keeps them on track.
Dental and Mental Health Support (Varies by State)
Some states offer even more through Medicaid, like:
Dental care (cleanings, fillings, extractions) for pregnant women
Mental health support like counseling, therapy, or treatment for depression and anxiety
Why it matters: A healthy smile and a healthy mind are just as important as physical health—especially during pregnancy.
Texas Example: How Medicaid Helps Pregnant Women
If you live in Texas, here’s what you should know:
What’s covered?
Prenatal doctor visits, lab tests, and ultrasounds
Labor and delivery (hospital, birthing center, or with a certified midwife)
Postpartum checkups for 12 months after birth
Baby’s care: checkups, shots, and follow-up visits
Some dental care for pregnant women may also be covered
Who qualifies?
In Texas, Medicaid for Pregnant Women is for moms-to-be who meet income requirements (household income at or below about 200% of the federal poverty level).
You don’t need to have insurance already—Medicaid is here to step in when you need it most.
How to apply in Texas:
Go to YourTexasBenefits.com
Call 2-1-1 (the Texas Health and Human Services helpline)
Or apply with the free “Your Texas Benefits” app
Tip: Apply as soon as you find out you’re pregnant, so your coverage starts right away!
Pregnancy should be about focusing on you and your growing baby—not stressing about medical bills. Medicaid is here to make sure you both get the care you need every step of the way.
If you’re pregnant, take the first step today by checking if you qualify and applying. You deserve care that supports your health and your baby’s future.
