Director of Durham Connects
LaTondra Murray was in good health and had a successful career when she married in her mid-30s. But she battled diabetes and knew her blood sugar must be tightly managed before having children.
"I knew about the importance of early development and the potential for neurological problems early on." Armed with this important knowledge, Murray started taking a multivitamin with folic acid. "I built it into my daily routine. In fact, my husband began taking a multivitamin too. We both wanted to be healthy if we were going to have a baby," said Murray.
Folic acid has long been known to prevent neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida, but a new study by the University of California, Davis shows that taking a multivitamin with folic acid consistently before pregnancy can cut the risk of autism by 40 percent.
Murray combined her daily multivitamin regimen with exercise and a healthy diet under the close supervision of her doctor. She gave birth to a healthy, full-term baby boy named Jadon in August 2010.
Most women know that taking a prenatal vitamin while they are pregnant is important. But by the time you realize you are pregnant, most of the critical growth and brain development has already occurred. The key to a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby is a healthy woman BEFORE pregnancy. "Preconception Health" is a new term used to prepare all women of child-bearing age for having a healthy baby-- even if they aren't planning to have a baby. Nearly fifty percent of pregnancies in the United States are unplanned.
Healthy Parents, Healthy Babies is a committee of The Partnership for a Healthy Durham, which is a collaboration between the Durham County Health Department, local health providers and the state. Its goal is to prevent infant mortality, preterm birth, low birth weight and ultimately to ensure that Durham's newborns are born healthy and happy.
"Low birth weight babies can have lots of health issues," said Healthy Parents, Healthy Babies co-chair Jessica Simo. "Low birth weight is more likely if a mother didn't receive good healthcare during pregnancy or if she started off unhealthy."
For Murray, the key was having a doctor that she trusts available to answer questions and ease her mind. This "medical home" is the first step to a healthy lifestyle. "It's too easy to Google questions to death. I think there is no substitute for having a human being to ask question[s] of," said Murray.
Like Murray, the group emphasizes that preconception health is much more than prenatal vitamins.
"We suggest that all women take a daily multivitamin with folic acid. But it's much more about total health than just preparing for pregnancy," said Tasha Allen, a registered nurse with Pregnancy Care Management at the Durham County Health Department. These days, doctors are looking at a woman's entire health history in preparing to have a baby. The Centers for Disease Control lists chronic illness as a risk factor during pregnancy that can play a large role in the health of a newborn. Specifically, the CDC recommends managing any long-term health conditions with the help of a doctor before and during pregnancy. These conditions may include: high blood pressure, diabetes, reproductive tract infections, dental disease, anxiety, lupus, arthritis or epilepsy.
Allen adds that planning a pregnancy is the best way to ensure good health for mother and baby, "if you don't plan ahead, then your body isn't prepared, your mind isn't prepared, your finances, your social supports … you may interfere with your goals such as school and career. People don't plan to fail. They fail to plan." Allen continues that like Murray, it is best if women see a doctor regularly, manage their weight, and keep their blood sugar under control. For other women the changes may be more critical, like quitting smoking, alcohol or drugs.
For LaTondra Murray health is a gift and a responsibility, "I personally think a general focus on your health goes a long way. You'll be better positioned to maintain health. When children enter your life, you need to be flexible and healthy -- more robust, so you can deal with situations that life brings. Healthy, I can be a better mom, a better wife, a better family member. It's an investment in yourself and your kids."
Durham Connects is a collaboration of the Durham Family Initiative, itself a partnership of the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University and the Center for Child and Family Health, and the Durham County Health Department. It is funded by The Duke Endowment. For more information, please visit www.durhamconnects.org or call (919) 668-3279.
