Women & Infants offers new pregnancy clinic

PROVIDENCE – Women & Infants Hospital is now offering an obesity-in- pregnancy clinic, part of the hospital’s integrated program for high-risk pregnancy.
Patients will be treated by a multidisciplinary team that includes an exercise physiologist and a nutritionist who will be present at all clinic sessions. A behavioral psychologist, bariatric surgeon and anesthesiologist will be joining the new clinical service over the next year.
“Obesity during pregnancy can lead to multiple complications for the mom,” said Dr. Katharine D. Wenstrom, co-director of the Obesity in Pregnancy Clinic and director of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
Dr. Kenneth K. Chen, co-director of the Obesity in Pregnancy Clinic and director of the Division of Obstetric and Consultative Medicine, said it was vital that these women and their babies receive the proper care to ensure a safe outcome for all.
“Through our clinic, we will provide pre-conception counseling and active intervention for obese women who wish to lose weight before they conceive,” Chen said. For women who are already pregnant, he continued, “we will work with their own obstetric provider for either a one-time consultation or co-management of the patient throughout her pregnancy.” •