Impact Story
SC Management of Maternal Diabetes (SC MOMS)
Transforming Diabetes Care for Expecting Mothers
Having diabetes while pregnant can pose serious complications, even so far as causing birth defects, preterm delivery and stillbirth. The SC MOMs method of a team-based patient-centered model of care can help.
About the Organization
The SC Management of Maternal Diabetes (SC MOMs) program was launched in 2020 as a partnership between the BlueCross BlueShield of SC Foundation and Diabetes Free SC. The evidence-based program reduces disparities of care and improves pregnancy outcomes for everyone involved. SC MOMs clinics are supported by three partners: Prisma Health Midlands, Prisma Health Upstate, and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Health in Charleston.
Program Goals
The SC MOMs program improves maternal and fetal care via a team-based, patient-centered model of care. This model unites multiple professionals into a single care team to support women throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. Patients receive care through both in-person appointments and telehealth services, which expands access to rural and underserved communities.
SC MOMs has already served more than 3,500 women statewide. The newest grant extends funding through 2027 and allows for expansion into 3 new locations.
Four in 5 pregnant women with the disease struggle to maintain healthy glucose levels.
Results
In the 5 years this program has been running, SC MOMs has lead to significant reductions in risk and complications of diabetes in pregnancy, including:
- Reduced c-sections
- Fewer and shorter admissions of newborns to neonatal intensive care units
- Fewer preterm births
- Decreased neonatal hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Improved APGAR (infant health) scores.
More broadly, SC MOMs demonstrates measured improvements in health outcomes and significant cost savings. It offers a replicable care model with flexible implementation, meaning that it is able to scale for statewide expansion.
