Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition hosted a Maternal Health Brunch last month with goal of educating attendees about pre-conception health, mental health, prenatal and OB care with a special focus on the Black community.
The Centers for Disease Control reports that Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than their white, Asian and Latina peers. Not only are Black women more likely to die from cardiovascular issues like blood clots, hemorrhages and high blood pressure while pregnant and after giving birth, but they are also more likely to experience discrimination that can contribute to poor outcomes.
A panel of three medical professionals discussed challenges facing mothers to be and offered insights on how to navigate pregnancy as a member of a high-risk group.
Dr. Sam Daniel, director of Cleveland Clinics Hospital at Home program, spoke about the importance of pre-conception and inter-conception health.
“Pregnancy sometimes comes unexpectedly and sometimes it’s planned, but if you are trying to conceive you should know what your risk factors are beforehand. Being plugged into a network of physicians or advanced care practitioners is fundamental,” Dr. Daniel said.
“It’s like taking your car to a mechanic. Most of us wait for the engine light to go on before we do that, but when it comes to giving birth to the next generation, it’s best to go before there is a problem. Knowing all your risks helps guide your care while you are getting pregnant and in the postpartum period. It also sets you up a little bit better with clinicians you will see during your pregnancy, so they know how to prep you during the pre and post process. Knowing that information in advance allows the physician to modify your risk factors.”
In addition to getting a thorough checkup from your primary care doctor, Dr. Daniel suggests visiting local health centers for information on care, and talking to elders in your family and community to get information about their experiences during pregnancy.
If you are planning to have a baby, being in good health is a key to successful pregnancy.
Dr. Crystal Taylor, an OBGYN with Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, stressed the importance of prenatal and postpartum care.
“The moment you find out that you’re pregnant, that you have a little one growing inside of you, is the moment you start taking care of ‘us’.
“The prenatal period extends from about nine to 10 weeks into the pregnancy all the way into the fourth trimester or the postpartum period,” Dr. Taylor continued. “During this time, you’ll get lab work done and have ultrasounds performed. The ultrasound allows us to look at the fetus and make sure the baby’s growing appropriately and make sure no interventions are needed. Pregnancy is a really important part of your life and it’s important to have an expert guide you through it.”
Once that little bundle of joy enters the world you might start feeling tired emotionally, physically and mentally. After all, taking care of a newborn is a 24-hour-a-day job with no scheduled coffee breaks.
“Have you ever felt like you are being tugged from every direction?” asked Chaute Thompson, mental health counselor and owner of Hope Counseling Services. “That’s what it feels like with a newborn. You may find yourself drowning while trying to figure out how to do everything. Finding balance in your life is the only way to grow in life, love, parenting, relationships and transitions.”
Thompson suggests making a “living balanced” worksheet that prioritizes what is most important in your life. Possibilities include career, family, spirituality, physical health, emotional health, education, friendships and financial security.
Create an ultimate goal for each area of your life and write down the steps needed to reach that goal. Then decide what you can do right now to work toward the goal. By formulating a plan, you can navigate life’s challenges as they come and not stress about the unexpected setbacks.
In addition to being at a higher risk for death during pregnancy, Black women often have less access to quality healthcare and face unfair bias.
That’s when the services of Healthy Start Coalition can offer guidance and assistance during and after the pregnancy. All mothers, fathers and families in Indian River County can take advantage of education, guidance and support during labor and delivery, and receive wellness visits after the baby arrives.
If you have trouble advocating for your own health, you can request a doula who will act as your advocate, always looking out for your best interest throughout the process.
“Our job is to address the gaps in this community and figure out how we can help,” said Megan McFall, CEO of Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition. “Maternal and infant health is our top priority, and we have many programs and resources to assist you on your journey to becoming a mom.”
For more information about the services offered by Healthy Start Coalition, visit irchealthystart.org or call 772-563-9118.
