Health Literacy to Improve Perinatal Health Outcomes

By Caren Fairweather

On November 12, 2008 The March of Dimes will announce its state by state report card for preterm birth. Two out of three babies born too soon do not survive their first year of life. Many factors contribute to preterm babies including:

• Untreated infections like gum disease and sexually transmitted infections
• Unmanaged chronic illnesses including diabetes and high blood pressure
• Induced labor and cesarean birth before 39 weeks
• Extremes in maternal body weight and inadequate nutrition
• Tobacco and other substance use during pregnancy.

The life course approach to women’s health may increase the odds of having a full term pregnancy. Increased health literacy, defined as the ability to access and understand health information, and use it to take appropriate actions, is critical to overall health throughout the lifespan. Nearly half of American adults do not possess basic knowledge to care for their own or their family members’ health.

How can you increase your health literacy to improve the odds of having a full term baby some day?

Learn about habits you can change before, during and between pregnancies from reliable sources. Read the health section of your newspaper, talk with your medical provider about reaching a healthy weight, taking Omega-3 fatty acid or folic acid supplements, or to get help to stop smoking before you are pregnant. Ask a librarian to help you find internet information that is accurate and easy to understand. Ask questions at your medical appointment so you know what to do. Some questions to ask are:

“Can you repeat that?
“What do I need to do when I leave here?”
“What will happen to my baby if (s)he is born this early?”
“Can we wait a few more weeks to induce labor?”

Medical providers can help by improving health communications with patients. Use everyday speech, not medical jargon and scientific terms. Ask your patients questions so that you know they are able to follow your directions.

Ask how they learn best: by reading, watching, talking, listening?
Ask “ What questions do you have for me?”
Ask: “Was I clear about that?”
Ask: “What will you tell a family member or friend when you get home?”

Health literacy means finding out about affordable health insurance and getting help filling out forms. Health literacy means knowing how to follow directions for taking medicine in the correct amount. Ask your medical provider or pharmacist to help you if you do not understand the directions on your prescription.

Health literacy means preventing minor illnesses from getting worse. Get screening and tests early if you have signs of an infection or a family history of a chronic disease. See your dentist if you have bleeding gums. See your healthcare provider if you have pelvic pain or other pelvic symptoms.

Finally, if you have a child that was born too soon, you may be at risk during a next pregnancy. Ask your doctor how you can be partners to prevent another preterm birth.
Communication is the key to being an informed health consumer.

Caren Fairweather is Executive Director of Maternal-Infant Services Network (MISN) of Orange, Sullivan and Ulster Counties, a not-for-profit organization that coordinates health and human services for pregnant women and children. Visit our website at www.misn-ny.org or call 1-800-453-4666 for more information.

For More Information on FREE or LOW COST Health Insurance, Prenatal Care or Breastfeeding Support Call 1-800-453-4666.