Prenatal program taking aim at Native American health disparities

FARGO ‒ Indigenous communities in five states are gathering in September to launch their individualized prenatal programs to help Native American women through pregnancy and motherhood.

On Sept. 17, the five groups, along with the March of Dimes, University of North Dakota Indians into Medicine and the FM-AM Rotary Club, will gather in Fargo at the Hilton Garden Inn for the kickoff celebration before heading back to their communities with ‒ literally ‒ a large check in hand. The five programs, though varying according to the individual communities, are looking to help re-incorporate cultural traditions into pregnancies as well as teach soon-to-be mothers how to take their own blood pressure, measure their weight gain, and breastfeed.