Check Up Checklist

During the month of May when we traditionally pay tribute to the special women in our lives, we should also remind them to take time to take care of themselves. During National Women's Checkup Day, women are encouraged to visit their healthcare providers to receive or schedule a checkup. Regular checkups are important to detect early signs of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, mental health illnesses, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other conditions or to confirm that everything is fine.

Scheduling health checkups is one of the many things women can do to help stay healthy and prevent disease. There are nine screenings and tests that are recommended for women to receive on a regular basis, depending upon their age:

• Physical Exam
• Blood Pressure Check
• Cholesterol Test
• Diabetes Test
• Pelvic Exam, Breast Exam and Pap Test
• Mammogram
• HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)
• Eye Exam
• Dental Exam

Before a health checkup it's important that women be prepared. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that women do four things before their scheduled visit:

• Review family health history: Healthcare providers can tell patients some of the diseases they may be at risk for based on their family's health history.
• Find out about the need for general screenings or vaccinations: This will allow patients to stay current with immunizations and recommended tests.
• Write down a list of issues and questions: Patients who write down questions or issues prior to their health appointment are more likely to discuss these questions or concerns during their visit.
• Consider future plans: Patients should consider specific health issues that may affect their future such as infertility issues, weight loss or smoking cessation. Patients should be prepared to discuss these issues with their healthcare provider.

Unfortunately, faced with busy schedules, work and family responsibilities, many women may find it challenging to make and keep health appointments. In addition, it may be difficult for some women to keep track of the checkups they've had in the past year and screenings or tests that might remain.

One way women can keep up with their appointments is to write them down and keep them in a journal. My Health Journal gives women a place to document their health history. It can be used to keep up with test results, record family health history, track healthcare visits, write down health questions for providers, and set personal health goals. Free copies of My Health Journal
(Mi Diario de Salud in Spanish) are available in bulk quantities from the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation. To order, go to: www.nchealthystart.org and click on catalog.

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Gift Ideas for Mom

This Mother's Day, children across the country will celebrate their mothers with heartfelt gestures like breakfast in bed, homemade cards, and the occasional macaroni necklace. But how can you celebrate the new mom or mom-to-be in your life? With a little creativity, you can create a gift that honors mom and teaches her the safest ways to help her little one sleep safely.

Sadly, more than one hundred North Carolina babies' lives are cut short each year because of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or accidental death in the sleep environment. Although SIDS cannot be prevented, parents and caregivers can reduce the risk as well as prevent other sleep related deaths. Why not give that special mom in your life a gift this Mother's Day that will also help her baby "sleep well?" Here are some tips for crafting a gift basket that celebrates motherhood and helps keep baby safe.

10 Ideas for a Sleep Well Gift Basket for Mom and Baby

1. Wicker basket - Holds gift items and can later be used for other items
2. Sleep sack - Keeps baby cozy without swaddling, which can overheat baby
3. Slippers - Keeps mom's feet comfy when she checks on her baby at night
4. Thermometer - Monitors room temperature,
   68° - 75°F is the safest for baby's room
5. Bubble bath - Gives mom time to herself to relax and unwind
6. Light blanket - Reduces the risk of overheating
7. Babysitting coupon - Offers mom time to catch up on sleep
8. Night light - Helps mom check on her little one
9. Onesie - Covers baby in a lightweight outfit
10. Sleep Well Card - Provides baby's safe sleep reminders for mom

For more ideas, or to download a sleep well card or coupons to make mom feel special, visit the Mom's Day section on our web site.

Whether a friend, family member, co-worker or most importantly your partner, this is a time to celebrate the mothers in your life. So before you send flowers or a box of candy, ask yourself if there is anything else you can do? Perhaps she'd appreciate the gesture of a "sleep well" basket!

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Teaching, Reaching... Action

The RICHES motto is, "Healthy Women Build Healthy Communities." Women are often the primary caregivers for their families and keep up with doctor visits and health screenings for their loved ones. But when it comes to their own health care needs, women often don't take the time to care for themselves. See how RICHES educates women to maintain a healthy lifestyle without putting themselves last.

In May and June, RICHES (Resources In Communities Helps Encourage Solutions) will bring together organizations from across North Carolina for regional round table discussions on women's health and related issues. The six regional meetings will be held in Moore, Duplin, Forsyth, Halifax, Buncombe and Iredell counties from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the following locations:

• Friday, May 6th - Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills
• Friday, May 13th - Duplin County Health Department
• Friday, May 20th - YWCA of Winston-Salem
• Friday, June 3rd - Halifax Community College
• Friday, June 10th - Mission Hospital Children’s Center
• Friday, June 17th - Iredell County Cooperative Extension

Each meeting offers community-based organizations and agencies such as local health departments, cooperative extensions, YWCA's and other nonprofits, a platform to share resources and network with one another to find solutions to health disparities in their area. Experts will present information on a variety of topics including helping women improve their reproductive health and family planning methods. Each participating organization will receive a set of the newly created family planning flashcards, an easy-to-use tool for talking with women about effective birth control methods.

The regional meetings will also explore topics featured in the Choices That Matter Tool Kit. The tool kit is a portable, easy-to-use flip chart binder with instructions and activities on a variety of health topics including relationships, domestic violence and STIs. Each participating organization will receive a tool kit and training on how to incorporate it into their existing programs either in a small group setting and/or one-on-one.

At the end of each meeting, participants will complete an action plan outlining their next steps for using each educational tool. They will also receive a certificate of completion and a travel stipend.

RICHES, is dedicated to improving the health of women, particularly minorities and those living in low wealth communities, by creating opportunities for community-based organizations to educate, encourage and support women in adopting healthier lifestyles and behaviors. Thanks to three years of funding from the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation, RICHES provides the opportunity for nearly 100 organizations and agencies to share resources and receive trainings and materials on how to improve the health of women in their communities.

To sign up for one of the free RICHES regional meetings, visit the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation's web site: www.NCHealthyStart.org.

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Doula care for Latinas

In celebration of Mother's Day, we highlight the important work of women who "mother the mother" during the birth of a new baby. Doulas (a Greek word meaning "women who serve") are trained to provide continuous support to mothers during labor and birth. Doulas can be especially helpful to Latina mothers who, in addition to the challenge of the birth process, often face social isolation, language barriers, low-health literacy and lack of familiarity with the U.S. health care system.

What services does a doula provide?
The doula's goal is to help the mother have a safe and satisfying birth as the mother herself defines it. Doulas offer continuous physical, emotional and informational support to mothers before, during and just after birth. They offer non-medical pain management techniques such as massage, touch, acupressure, application of hot and cold compresses and encourage walking and movement. Doulas do not perform clinical tasks such as providing medical exams, diagnosis or advice.

What are the benefits of doula care?
A strong body of research shows that doula care can improve birth outcomes. A 2011 meta-analysis from the Cochrane Collaboration reviewed the experiences of over 15,000 women who participated in 21 randomized controlled trials and found that overall, women who had the support of a doula compared to those who did not were:

• 28% less likely to have a cesarean section
• 31% less likely to use Pitocin to speed labor
• 9% less likely to use pain medication (such as narcotics and epidural)

In addition, women who had a doula were more likely than those who did not to:

• have shorter labor
• give birth spontaneously
• be satisfied with their birth experience

The authors of this study conclude that due to the significant benefits, low cost and no known risks, continuous support of a doula should be available to all women during labor and birth.

Doulas: Special benefits for Latina mothers
Doula care can be especially beneficial to Latina mothers in the U.S. In Latin American culture, the arrival of a new baby is a family affair. New mothers are traditionally supported by a large network of extended family during pregnancy, birth and several months postpartum. Doula's work with Latina mothers can help relieve social isolation, reduce language barriers and improve access to care. In addition, doulas can encourage Latinas to preserve the healthy behaviors from their home countries that contribute to positive birth outcomes.

How to help your Latina client find a doula:

• Contact your local hospital. Many hospitals now have doula programs; sometimes these services are available free of charge. Be sure to ask if there are any Spanish-speaking doulas available.
• Contact the national organizations who train doulas (see resources below). These organizations maintain lists of doulas by region. Some doulas may be willing to work at reduced or no cost. Doulas in training are required to attend a number of births for certification and often volunteer their services.
• Local prenatal care providers and/or childbirth educators may know doulas in your area.

Resources:
Childbirth Connection's website includes an in-depth, evidence-based section on doula support during labor.

2011 Cochrane Collaboration report, "Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth."

List of organizations that train and certify doulas
Doulas of North America (DONA)
International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)
Childbirth International

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Have Lemons? Make Lemonade

Over the past few months, the board and staff of the Foundation have been working with Armstrong McGuire, a philanthropic advisory group, with the goal of developing and implementing a plan to diversify the agency's funding. Initial staff and board interviews and surveys identified what we do well and the challenges we face.

At a day-long retreat in March, the group committed to conducting an annual fundraising campaign and identified the steps and resources needed to be successful. An annual campaign is not unusual for many nonprofits. However, this is a new endeavor for the Foundation and will be challenging for a statewide organization established in a public-private partnership with the State of North Carolina, and which supports other community-based and governmental agencies across the state.

In late April, a team of two staff and two board members participated in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation's Healthy Community Institute in New Bern. National experts provided training and resources on topics such as strategic planning, building a healthy board, understanding philanthropy and building partnerships with donors, creating an annual appeal, leveraging technology and tracking and communicating results.

The timing could not have been better. As a result of the two day training, our agency's commitment is stronger than ever, as is our capacity to diversify the agency's funding and look forward to the future. You will hear more about this new initiative in future issues of "Healthy Start Happenings".

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 N.C. Healthy Start Foundation | 1300 St. Mary's Street, Suite 204 | Raleigh, NC 27605 | 919-828-1819
[email protected]