State-Of-Black-Oregon-2015

FAMILY-BASED CARE AND SUPPORTAll families members can play a role in protecting the first 1,000 days. One communitymember we talked to, Shanice (picture unavailable), is pregnant with her second child. Likeher mother, Shanice relies heavily on family-based care. Her sister was by her side as herdoula during her first pregnancy. She accompanied her on doctors’ visits; advocated on herbehalf; and provided nutritional advice and homemade remedies. In many ways, her sistercovered the blind spots doctors were missing, often due to a lack of cultural understanding.While she was in labor with her first daughter, the only health issue that arose was highblood pressure, which returned to normal after delivery. Shanice’s daughter was bornperfectly healthy, and eight months into her current pregnancy, the issue hasn’t resurfaced.She credits the positive health outcomes to family-based care and support. Shanice’s sister,mother and other family members take care of her daughter while she’s at work. Such helphas been crucial during the all-important “first 1,000 days.”17