Pregnancy and Maternity Care at VA

This guide is for women Veterans who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy and want to understand the maternity care and support available through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

It walks you through how to get started, the services VA covers, the people who can help you coordinate your care, and where to call when you have questions or need support.

Getting started with VA maternity care

Your first step toward VA maternity care is to sign up for VA health care.

Your care team: coordinators and program managers

Every VA facility has Maternity Care Coordinators who can explain what your coverage includes, guide you through services at VA and in the community, help you get physical and mental health care, link you to local resources, and sort out billing questions.

They are there to answer your questions about services and coverage at every point in your pregnancy.

To reach a Maternity Care Coordinator, talk to your VA health care provider or your local Women Veterans Program Manager.

What maternity care covers

Your coverage includes care for your newborn on the day of birth and for the seven days right after, along with lactation support, services for miscarriage and stillbirth, social work, and mental health care.

Supplies and how to request them

You can get lactation pads, human milk storage bags, and nipple cream from the VA Pharmacy. You can also request nursing bras, breast or chest pumps, and maternity belts through your Maternity Care Coordinator at least two weeks before your due date.

Mental health and pregnancy

Postpartum Support International also offers support during pregnancy and postpartum; you can call 1-800-944-4PPD (4773).

Pre-pregnancy planning

VA pre-pregnancy services include mental health resources, maternity care information and Maternity Care Coordinators, homeless Veterans programs and housing assistance, intimate partner violence resources, substance use information and treatments, and fertility and family-building services.

After a pregnancy loss

You can contact the Women Veterans Call Center at 1-855-VA-WOMEN to ask questions about care after a pregnancy loss.

Maternity Care Coordinators can also help you cope with pregnancy loss and connect you to care after delivery.

Where to get help

The Women Veterans Call Center is a free and confidential service you can reach by calling or texting 1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636), or by using the online chat feature at womenshealth.va.gov.

Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET, and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET, excluding federal holidays.

If you call when the center is closed and leave a message, someone will call you back the next day the call center is open.

There is no charge for this help, your information stays private, and you can reach out as often as you need.

The call center can connect you with the Women Veterans Program Manager at your local VA medical center.

If you are in crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988, then press 1, or text 838255.

For the final word on your coverage, eligibility, and care, talk with your Maternity Care Coordinator or a VA health care professional.