Experts estimate that 1–14% of pregnant women in the United States will develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (1). Women with a history of GDM have a 60–70% chance of developing the metabolic disorder with a subsequent pregnancy (2). Among women with GDM, it is well established that risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as fetal macrosomia are associated with less than optimal blood glucose control during pregnancy (2). Health care providers must promote access to medical/obstetrical care, proper treatment, and optimal GDM diabetes self-management education (DSME). GDM occurs more frequently in women of certain ethnic groups (e.g., Hispanic/Latino American), who are also at higher risk for recurrent GDM (3). In fact, GDM is increasing among U.S. women with various racial/ethnic backgrounds, including Hispanic women (4,5).

Our aim was to develop, implement, and evaluate a culturally sensitive education intervention for Hispanic women at risk for GDM within our existing CenteringPregnancy (CP) model at a University of Kentucky prenatal clinic. The CP model provides prenatal care encompassing three components: health assessment, education, and support services (6). The program is composed of 10 prenatal care sessions offered in a small-group setting once monthly for 4 months and then twice monthly for the remainder of the pregnancy. Women who participate in CP group prenatal care have been reported to have improved birth outcomes compared to women who receive traditional prenatal care (7,8).