In our on-going coverage of Black Future Month news, we here at Doc Gurley have discovered the perfect present (as we
head into June, the month of weddings) for a new Bride! Imagine, if you would, that you could hand someone you love–a beaming, happy young woman–a little gift (under $20!) that could save her years of heartache and stress? Months of hospitalization? Grief beyond measure? Even better, what if giving this gift meant that her future children would also benefit–even more than she does? What if your one little gift could impact a family for years to come–maybe even save a life, all with no side effects? Are you interested? Lean close while I whisper it in your ear…
Prenatal vitamins. Okay, okay, before you get all silly on me and start thinking that giving prenatal vitamins might be putting a lot of pressure on someone’s wedding day–hang on a sec and let me explain why this is the gift to give. Recent research has shown that taking vitamins high in folic acid (read: prenatal vitamins) for one year before getting pregnant significantly reduces the risk of pre-term births. Are we talking a little change? NO–we’re looking at a 70% reduction. That, folks, is humongous. Pre-term births (and all the heartache and stress and complications that come with it) are much more common among African American women. Still feeling a little awkward about giving someone a bottle of prenatal vitamins as a wedding present? If so, it’s time to get out your glue-gun and some beautiful paper and re-decorate that bottle label. Decorate it however you want, but when it comes to the future health of someone you love, it’s worth the effort (and the possible awkwardness)! After all, what is more important to the future of us all, than our babies?