Ready for Life NC

Every family touched by our mission is a family we celebrate. Learn about our incredible community by reading more family stories at https://www.marchofdimes.org/celebrating-all-families.aspx

If you or someone you know needs help with the here are some resources from to help.

📣📣📣FYI!

Following years of ACOG advocacy, today is the official first day that 12 months of postpartum Medicaid coverage will begin in states who enacted a Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA). Thanks to ACOG ob-gyn advocates and our maternal health champions in Congress, postpartum people in the highlighted states below will have continuous Medicaid coverage for 12 months following their delivery. https://www.acog.org/advocacy/policy-priorities/extend-postpartum-medicaid-coverage

For more information on how to advocate for this evidence-based policy in your state, reach out to [email protected]

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“The new data released by the CDC is extremely troubling and shows how much more work is needed to ensure pregnant and lactating individuals, as well as those looking to conceive, are vaccinated against COVID-19," said Dr. Zsakeba Henderson, March of Dimes Senior Vice President and Deputy Medical Officer. Read more at the link in our bio.

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While many foods that include wheat flour are fortified with folic acid in the United States, other common staple foods like corn masa flour, are not fortified often. This is one reason why Latinas are more likely to have babies born with neural tube defects. No matter your diet, make sure to take 400 mcg of daily. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/faqs/faqs-fortification.html

Join us at our Virtual Dinner and Discussion. Our topic: the role of breastfeeding in Maternal and Infant Health.

During this virtual event, we will discuss the benefits of
breastfeeding while highlighting the need for community and
family breastfeeding support. Topics will include lactation and
doula support programs that have the ability to enhance
breastfeeding experiences. We will address the breastfeeding
experiences among African American women and the
breastfeeding alternatives in Guilford County.

To Register, click the link.
https://tinyurl.com/47ssjv4u

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Join me and on Live this Wednesday, September 1st @ 3:30pm ET/12:30pm PT! We’ll discuss , and . Don’t miss this important conversation!

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In light of the new recommendation for & to receive the , we want to help answer your questions and clear up any misunderstandings.
Join me on Thursday, August 19 at 2:00 pm ET as part of our Healthy Moms. Strong Babies webinar series where we will be debunking COVID-19 Myths. We’ll be on Facebook Live!! Thank you for sponsoring!

Our expert panel will feature:
💜 Dr. Zsakeba Henderson, Senior Vice President & Maternal Child Health Impact Deputy Medical Officer, March of Dimes
💜Dr. Andrea G. Edlow, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Staff at Massachusetts General Hospital & Faculty, Harvard Medical School
💜Cerina Vincent, “Raising Amazing” Podcast Host and Actress

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that vaccines are an important public safety tool to keep our families and communities safe. Talk to your provider about vaccines you may need before, during or after you become pregnant. Learn more: marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/vaccinations-and-pregnancy.aspx

Hi everyone! August is National Breastfeeding Month. Today on our Instagram Stories, we're sharing a fun engagement post - Breastfeeding Bingo! If you have an Instagram:

1) Save this image

2) Fill out your bingo card

3) Share on your stories!

4) Don't forget to tag so we can repost! 🤱🏻💜

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One option while breastfeeding is using a breast pump. A breast pump helps remove milk from your breasts, so you can store and use it at a later time to feed your baby. Using a breast pump may feel awkward at first. But with practice, pumping becomes easier and more comfortable. Ask your nurse or lactation consultant to show you how to use the pump. Link in bio.

Did you know it’s safe and recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccine, even if you’ve already had COVID-19? COVID-19 vaccination is an effective way to boost your immune system and help prevent serious illness if you get COVID-19 again.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/37aivMc.

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The start of August means there's still time until the official end of ☀ – and still time to follow these six summer tips to stay active, healthy, and safe.

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North Carolina hospitalization rates due to COVID-19 have doubled, and the average of new daily cases are rapidly increasing.

While the trends are moving in the wrong direction, we have safe and effective vaccines that are the way out of this pandemic.

The cost of waiting to get your vaccine is too high. Don't wait to vaccinate.

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Our step-by-step breastfeeding guide helps you learn about breastfeeding. It shows how to get started, how to burp your baby after feedings and different ways to hold your baby when you breastfeed. See the full guide at the link in bio.

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Breastfeeding can come naturally, but isn’t always easy. What do you wish you knew before breastfeeding? Tell us below.

In honor of , we'll be sharing tips and information about breastfeeding all week long. Learn more at the link in bio.

This August, during Breastfeeding Awareness Month, join us for a conversation with March of Dimes’ Dr. Rahul Gupta and researchers advancing knowledge on breastfeeding and nutrition. Tune in on Thursday, August 5th at 2pm ET. Register here: https://marchofdimes.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Gv4-f8VVR7qbUaKPiRk_ag

Tosha is a mom of three, and shares her journey as a mom at on Instagram. She has created a safe space free of for other moms to share their experiences with and . Become an advocate for the mental health of our nation’s moms and moms-to-be. https://p2a.co/QL4ZdgA?iframe=1

"𝘊𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘦, 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘺.
𝘚𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴.

'𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬.'
'𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘵.'
'𝘕𝘰𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘥𝘴.'
'𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘥𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘴.'
'𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘥𝘴.'
'𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘥𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘦.'
'𝘈𝘥𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯’𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘬𝘪𝘥𝘴.'

𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴!
𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴: 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦.
𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦."
– Tosha

Photo by

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APHA supports today’s new CDC guidance that recommends everyone wear masks indoors in areas with high COVID-19 transmission rates. "For many Americans, this advice is a dramatic reversal of where we were just months ago, when we seemed to be turning a corner against COVID-19. But science has shown increasing rates of infections, leaving CDC with no choice but to change its recommendation, which we applaud."

conditions affect up to 1 in 5 women each year. These illnesses are the number one complication of pregnancy and childbirth. Urge your officials to cosponsor Moms Matter Act! Send an email to your lawmaker in one click:
https://p2a.co/QL4ZdgA?iframe=1

Meet Kerry! She shares her story and what helps her as a new mom, to help other moms on their journey. "It’s [the] small little victories that keep me motivated!"

Become an advocate for the mental health of our nation’s moms and moms-to-be. marchofdimes.org/mental-health.aspx

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Great opportunity for our Muslim Community!

Join us in our second session of our Reproductive and Sexual Health Series!
Session #2: Reproductive Health and Sexual Health: From Puberty Onwards - July 22nd 6-8pm EST via Zoom

Building off the first webinar, we’ll dive into understanding holistic and accurate information about our reproductive health. Participants will learn about their reproductive system, menstruation, and fertility; explore birth control, contraception, and abortion from sexual health and Islamic perspectives; and spend time exploring common myths about our bodies, and the sacred responsibility of taking care of them as Muslims, across our whole lives. Register Here: https://bit.ly/2Ur4G8q

The session will be facilitated by Sameera Qureshi, founder of Sexual Health for Muslims.

All sessions are Free, Virtual, and Open to anyone who

-Identifies as Muslim
-Lives in NC, SC, VA, WV
-Is over the age of 16

*If you live outside of the states mentioned above, you will be placed on a waitlist to join the event.

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Mental health challenges are among the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Become an advocate and call on policymakers to create by prioritizing the mental health of our nation’s moms and moms-to-be. Link in bio.