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St. Vincent's Diabetes Education Center
Gestational Care
To better serve women diagnosed with gestational diabetes, St. Vincent's Diabetes Center offers a weekly class to provide information and teach management skills. Although most information is provided in a classroom setting, individual instruction also is used.
Learning in a Classroom
In these sessions, women with gestational diabetes will gain better understanding of this disorder. They also will benefit from contact with other similarly diagnosed women. This education program covers a spectrum of topics to fully inform the patient with gestational diabetes. At the completion of this education program, the patient should be able to:
- Define gestational diabetes in simple terms
- Realize the role of diet, exercise and monitoring in controlling diabetes
- Recognize two possible complications of gestational diabetes
- Identify a long-term lifestyle change that can help prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes
- Understand the benefits and importance of regular exercise
- Learn the importance of proper nutrition on fetal development
- Know how food affect blood glucose
- Determine an appropriate weight gain for the rest of the pregnancy
- Take home an individualized meal plan appropriate to the patient's needs
Individual Instruction
Before every class, each patient will be evaluated individually to clarify specific educational needs. When applicable, patients also receive individual instruction in management skills such as initiating insulin treatment. Each participant will receive a personalized meal plan evaluated by a registered dietitian to meet her specific nutritional needs.
Qualified Instructors
Registered nurses and registered dietitians certified in diabetes education will teach each class. Content of the class meets professional diabetes organizations' recommendations for gestational diabetes education.
Fees and Insurance
There is a nominal fee for this class, but this fee generally is covered by the patient's health insurance.
Register Your Patient
For more information or to schedule a woman diagnosed with gestational diabetes for this class, please call (205) 939-7248. Physician referral required.
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Diabetes Education Services: Guidelines for Good Diabetes Care
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