Parental & Perinatal Care

Welcoming a child is exciting but can feel overwhelming. This guide brings together everything GVEC employees need to navigate pregnancy, birth, and the weeks that follow. It explains how to use your health plan for prenatal visits and hospital delivery, outlines the typical timeline of care before and after birth, and clarifies how paid leave, FMLA protections, and GVEC’s parental benefits work together.

It also highlights key deadlines—such as enrolling a newborn within 31 days—and points you toward on-demand support services, from 24/7 telemedicine to mental-health counseling. Whether you are the birthing parent, a partner, or an adoptive parent, these resources are designed to help you stay healthy, manage costs, and focus on your growing family.

Parental Documents Downloads

Coverage & Costs

  • Preventive services at no cost (in-network): anemia, hepatitis B, syphilis/UTI screens, gestational diabetes, breastfeeding counseling and equipment.

  • Other services: hospital delivery and non-preventive procedures follow your plan’s deductible/coinsurance.

  • Health Savings Account: GVEC contributes $1,000 annually and matches up to an additional $1,000 for family coverage to offset out-of-pocket expenses.

Prenatal Care Schedule

  • Up to 28 weeks: monthly visits

  • 28–36 weeks: every 2 weeks

  • 36 weeks to delivery: weekly

  • First visit includes medical history, vitals, blood/urine labs, prenatal vitamin guidance, and recommended vaccines (Tdap, flu).

  • Standard anatomy ultrasound around 18–20 weeks.

Postpartum Care

  • Initial check within 3 weeks of birth

  • Comprehensive visit by 12 weeks, including physical exam, mental-health screening, and any needed tests or vaccines.

Leave & Pay

  • FMLA: up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave; unpaid unless you use PTO.

  • GVEC Parental Leave:

    • 1 paid week for all parents.

    • 3 additional paid weeks for the birthing parent (must be used consecutively).

  • Medical Leave: typically 6 weeks after vaginal birth or 8 weeks after C-section (doctor certification required).

  • Vacation or personal leave can be added.

Newborn Enrollment

  • Add your baby or adopted child to GVEC benefits within 31 days of birth/adoption using a UKG life-event change.

  • Consider dental/vision coverage timing.

  • Dependent Care FSA allows pre-tax payment of daycare or after-school costs.

Extra Support

  • Ovia Health App (via BCBSTX): personalized pregnancy tracking and nurse coaching.

  • First Stop Health: 24/7 virtual care and short-term counseling for employees and covered dependents.

  • Employee Assistance Program: six free counseling sessions per issue.