A GIFT FOR MOMS-TO-BE

March of Dimes funds Diabetes in Pregnancy program

Picture a healthy baby. Can’t you just see a plump, toothless, pink cheeked infant with hair gelled into a peak? Unfortunately, not all babies are born healthy. One preventable reason for this is their mothers have uncontrolled diabetes during pregnancy.

"I have severe diabetes so I know I need to be really careful when I’m pregnant," said Rosa Ortiz, a 13-year resident of Central Oregon. Along with three other moms-to-be, Rosa is enrolled in the Diabetes in Pregnancy program. This two-year-old project is supported by a grant from the Greater Oregon Chapter of March of Dimes. "We’re excited that March of Dimes has just awarded us a third year of support for this program," said Becky McColl, Nurse Manager of HealthyStart Prenatal Service which oversees the program.

"When I had Ezequiel, there wasn’t a diabetes program," explains Rosa. "It was really difficult to get to all the special appointments I needed because they were in different clinics. With Juan Jose it was so different. I came to one clinic for everything." Three-month-old Juan Jose has two siblings, Ezequiel, 4, years old and an 8-year-old brother. All were healthy, full-term babies.

We focus on early detection and education so women understand how to manage their illness

Of the 400 women HealthyStart expects to serve this year, the statistics predict that at least 15 will be diabetic. "Diabetes can be devastating to pregnant moms and their unborn babies," Becky said. "If moms don’t control their illness, their babies are much more likely to have a serious heart, brain or spinal cord defect, and they have a higher risk of premature birth. "

"But with special prenatal care, these babies are almost always born healthy and without any significant problems," Becky said. "We focus on early detection and education so women understand how to manage their illness." So far, the program’s 15 deliveries were all healthy, full term babies.

In operation since 1998, HealthyStart serves low income, uninsured Deschutes County residents. Supporting the effort are the St. Charles Foundation, Cascade Healthcare Community, Deschutes County Health Department, East Cascade Women’s Group and Bend physicians Dr. Mary Carroll and Dr. Urszula Tajchman. Their mission is simple: Healthy babies.

Learn more about the St. Charles Foundation and opportunities to support outstanding health care in your community.