SHARING RESULTS FROM THE SWO PREGNANCY HEALTH SURVEY FOR PARENTS OF NEWBORNS ON THE LAKE TRAVERSE RESERVATION

The Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate will be sharing key findings from Pregnancy Health Survey for Parents of Newborns on the Lake Traverse Reservation through a series of articles and infographics. The very first is on the topic of nutrition before and during pregnancy. The theme of our entire community education campaign centers on the Dakotah word for pregnancy - Ihduṡ’aka “To Strengthen Oneself” (Source: English to Dakota Dictionary, As Spoken by the People of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, Copyright© 2015 by SWO Publishing)

Please spread the word on how important it is for women of childbearing age to have good nutrition both before and during pregnancy. The survey asked mothers whether they took multi-vitamins during the month before pregnancy. Nearly 30% did so. The survey found that many mothers did not know why a multi-vitamin with folic acid is so important to preconception and pregnancy health. The reason is that folic acid, which is Vitamin B9, prevents birth defects to the brain and spine. It also helps to prevent prenatal anemia. Foods rich in Vitamin B9 should be part of a healthy diet for women who may become pregnant.

The purpose of the Pregnancy Health Survey is to help understand why some babies are born healthier than others. Moms and dads of babies born between April 1 and December 31, 2015 whose mother’s residence was Roberts, Day, Marshall, and Codington counties when the baby was born were invited to take the survey. There were 149 total American Indian infants born

during this nine month period. Ninety-two mothers and sixty-four fathers participated! Their response is very much appreciated!

Please view the infographics developed by the First 1,000 Days Initiative in collaboration with the Collaborative Research Center for American Indian Health at Sanford Research for more information on this topic.

Also the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board is currently surveying mothers of infants born during calendar year 2017. Please be on the lookout for these surveys and respond so that we can continue public health surveillance that will help to improve maternal and child health.