Introduction: Meet Samantha, a mother who benefited from the SC MOMs program during her pregnancy and continued her diabetes management with the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) postpartum. Her story underscores the importance of ongoing support for new mothers with diabetes*.
Sam's Story: Samantha "Sam" was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 16. When she moved to South Carolina, she enrolled in the SC MOMs program offered at Prisma Health in Sumter through the MOMs in Control of Diabetes program. The program provided her with a single care team that addressed her complex health needs throughout her pregnancy.
"After years of telling and retelling my diabetes and health issues every time I saw another provider, it was a relief to have a single care team with all the specialists I needed, all on the same page," said Sam. "Whenever an issue came up, the MOMs team quickly found solutions."
Summary of the SC MOMs Program: The SC MOMs program offers a holistic approach to managing maternal diabetes, combining medical expertise with practical support. It brings together various health care professionals to create a seamless care experience for expectant mothers. This model focuses on early intervention, continuous monitoring, and personalized care plans to mitigate risks and improve health outcomes.
The SC MOMs program has shown a 30% reduction in neonatal hypoglycemia rates among newborns compared to those not in the program.
Postpartum Care: After giving birth to her baby girl, Olivia, Sam continued her diabetes management with the WHI program offered by Prisma Health Midlands as Women in Control of Diabetes (WICO). The program provided strategies for coping with new parent stress, mood swings, and fluctuating blood sugar levels.
"The WICO program got me back on track with the mood swings, new parent stress, and new medications that followed the arrival of our baby girl," said Sam. "My support team carried me through the mental strain of this time."
Program Impact: The WHI program ensured that Sam's holistic needs were met by connecting her to resources such as FoodShare South Carolina for fresh produce. Her care team also programmed her insulin pump to be ready for postpartum changes.
Conclusion: Sam story highlights the importance of proper diabetes management and care during and after pregnancy. The WHI program provides essential support to help mothers continue to manage their health and thrive during the challenging postpartum period.
Learn more about DFSC’s strategy to win the fight against diabetes in South Carolina through its pregnancy and women’s health initiatives.
* Sam gave permission to DFSC to share her story for others to learn from her experience with the program.
