-(6)_2.jpg/jcr:content/renditions/cq5dam.web.1440.405.jpeg "Diabetes, Pregnancy, Postpartum Care | St. Mary Medical Center")
Diabetes, Pregnancy, and Postpartum Care Classes
Classes to help you
Our diabetes educators offer classes that can help you with your diabetes, pregnancy, and postpartum care. In these classes, you will learn how to improve your diabetes control through a full spectrum of prenatal services including testing, counseling, education and informational assistance that include:
- Nutritional information
- Monitoring blood sugar
- Breastfeeding support and newborn care for you and your baby
- Diabetes management information
- Help developing an exercise plan
- Insulin therapy
- Counseling to help with the life changes pregnancy brings
This can help you to have a healthier pregnancy and birth with fewer complications.
A doctor referral is required to enter the program.
Join Us For Classes
Class Schedule
Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Spanish and English classes are available. Call (562) 491-9165 to learn more and register.
More Information About Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. Diabetes causes blood sugar levels to be higher than normal. Gestational diabetes may lead to health problems for the mother and baby, including poor health for the baby at birth, difficult delivery, and preterm labor and birth. However, most women who are treated for gestational diabetes experience healthy pregnancies and births.
At Dignity Health, we want to make sure you and your family experience a happy and healthy pregnancy and birth.
When you’re pregnant, your body needs more insulin than normal to help lower your blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes develops when a woman’s body can’t make enough insulin to meet the demand.
Many things can increase a woman's risk of gestational diabetes, including:
- Asian American, Native American, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, or African American heritage
- Being overweight
- Family history of diabetes
- Personal history of prediabetes or gestational diabetes
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Previous birth of a baby weighing more than nine pounds
High blood sugar is the main sign of gestational diabetes. However, most women with this condition have no noticeable symptoms.
Because gestational diabetes can cause serious complications but has few obvious symptoms, our doctors routinely screen for the condition between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy. It is recommended that you speak to your doctor about gestational diabetes.
Welcome Baby program
St. Mary Medical Center's Welcome Baby program offers free postpartum support to all mothers who deliver at our facility, regardless of income or risk factors. Every mother receives a postpartum hospital visit with maternal/newborn screening, breastfeeding support, and home visits until the baby is either 2 or 9 months old. This comprehensive program provides personalized support, education, and resources to ensure a smooth transition into parenthood for all families.