Mama Sana

Optimizing health outcomes for Spanish-speaking birthing parents and their babies at Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Mama Sana (“healthy mother” in Spanish) is a multi-disciplinary program and collaboration between the Nutrition, Pediatric Newborn Medicine, and Obstetrics departments. Mama Sana’s goal is to provide language and culturally concordant maternity care for Spanish-speaking families delivering at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Mama Sana is a “wrap around” (i.e. providing continuity of care through pre- and post-natal) care program that provides nutrition, breastfeeding, exercise, mental health, and infant development education and support. The program is a collaboration between the Sen Monthé-Drèze Lab and the Global Aim Lab, and is being implemented by Elena Padilla-Garza, our bilingual Registered Dietitian and Certified Lactation Counselor.

Who is this program for?
This program is designed for all mothers who would benefit from nutrition and breastfeeding classes, as well as inpatient and outpatient follow-up conducted in Spanish.

Does it have a cost?
No, classes will be completely free. They will last ~ 1 hour and will be conducted virtually
so future mothers can take them from the comfort of their home.

Can families join too?
Absolutely! Women can join by themselves, if they prefer, but we encourage family, partners, or anyone from their support system to join as well.

Schedule and topics
Nutrition During Pregnancy
(3rd Wednesday of each month from 12 pm – 1 pm)
Breastfeeding
(4th Wednesdays of each month from 12 pm – 1 pm)
Nuitrition and Gestational Diabetes
(5th Wednesdays of each month from 12 pm – 1 pm * this schedule may vary depending on the number of
mothers interested in joining the class)

Brochures: Spanish or English

For more information or to enroll in the Mama Sana program, please contact Elena at mamasanaproject@bwh.harvard.edu