Sweet Mama's: a prenatal group for mothers with Gestational Diabetes

At Yale New Haven Hospital, we are piloting a program which provides group prenatal care to the women effected by gestational diabetes.  Gestational Diabetes increases a woman's risk of becoming a type II diabetic by greater than 30 percent over her lifetime.  her child may be at higher risk of developing diabetes.  Gestational diabetes has the potential to impact the mother and fetus during the pregnancy with an increased risk of macrosomia, birth injury, cesarean section, infection and longer NICU stay.  Controlling diabetes during the pregnancy can decrease the occurrence of these associated risks.  Managing gestational diabetes requires lifestyle changes (dietary and exercise) for the pregnant woman that can be difficult to maintain.  Group prenatal care provides the access to information, repetition, provider support and community support necessary to make these important lifestyle changes.  It has been shown that group prenatal care can reduce poor pregnancy outcomes.  It is our hope to demonstrate improved maternal-fetal outcomes and to effect permanent lifestyle changes within the family unit.