May 2013

Although I am relatively new to the March of Dimes NC Preconception Health Campaign (NCPHC), I have learned through both my work and personal experience that most women need to be encouraged to be their own best advocate when it comes to their health care. Our campaign provides trainings to both health care professionals and consumers on the best practice areas of preconception health–one of them being the importance of non-pregnant women establishing a medical home and having a primary care provider.

Having a “home base” for your health care needs is good for everyone: your medical and family histories can be housed in one place, chronic conditions and/or medications can be closely managed, weight concerns can be monitored, and preconception health counseling, like reproductive life planning, can take place. Using a medical home for non-emergency health issues instead of the emergency room can save patients a lot of time and money, and it curbs the...