St. Luke's Perinatal Associates was recently named an accredited diabetes education program by the American Association of Diabetes Educators, a National Accredited Organization, certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

This will allow the people with diabetes in and around the Lehigh Valley increased access to high quality diabetes education services for pregnant women.Diabetes education is a collaborative process through which people with or at risk for diabetes gain the knowledge and skills needed to modify behavior and successfully self-manage the disease and its related conditions.The program is comprehensive and taught by diabetes educators who have extensive training."Because the health of expectant mothers affects the baby's health, managing diabetes in pregnancy is extremely important," said James Airoldi, M.D., chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology."Babies born to moms with diabetes unchecked may suffer from hypoglycemia at birth, macrosomia and difficult deliveries, and moms are at risk for long term type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular problems. To earn this designation means that St. Luke's is helping moms and babies to have the most successful outcomes."Christine Petrizzi-Gilhool, MSN, CRNP, CDE said, "Working with expectant mothers is extremely fulfilling, especially when we know our services have a significant impact on the health and wellness of mother and baby. Our services include extensive education related to managing diabetes during pregnancy with weekly communication with the mother in regards to plan of care. Care is individualized based on patients' needs and type of diabetes."