The Woman’s Hospital of Texas is recognized by the American Diabetes Association for Quality Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support. Our Perinatal Diabetes Center partners with physicians, patients and staff to provide evidence-based instruction, support, updates, community activities and mentoring of student nurses and dietitians. We believe the future depends on the health of moms and babies. Education is imperative and pre-conception care is crucial. Everyone deserves a healthy start.
Perinatal Diabetes Management Classes
Our Perinatal Diabetes Center offers a variety of classes taught by certified diabetes specialists, nurses and registered dietitians. Our classes are specifically designed to meet the needs of women with diabetes before, during and after pregnancy. Classes are held on a regular schedule, excluding holidays.
To register for a perinatal diabetes management class, please call (713) 383-2839. If you need to cancel or make changes to your registration, please notify us as soon as possible. A 25% service charge for class cancellations applies. Free parking is available during class.
This 1 to 1.5-hour group or private class is designed to help women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), pre-existing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, or a history of gestational diabetes, get a great start before pregnancy. This course covers meal planning, exercise, blood sugar control, pattern management, and the use of medication.
This class is for women who are newly diagnosed with gestational diabetes, Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and have no prior education on how to manage their condition. This 2-hour group class includes:
- Meal planning – a personalized meal plan is provided
- Exercise and activity levels
- Stress management
- Glucose meter instruction where you will learn how to:
- Use your glucose meter
- Perform quality control checks
- Record and analyze glucose results (pattern management) for better diabetes management
We will also discuss labor and delivery, infant feeding, postpartum issues, six-week blood glucose follow-up, and planning for future pregnancies.
This class is for patients who currently wear (or want to wear) an insulin pump. You will learn how to count carbohydrates and how to use the pump. CGMS is an additional component designed to teach pattern management of blood sugars. Combining the pump with CGMS will provide you with greater diabetes control and lifestyle flexibility.
This class is ideal for preconception planning if you have pre-existing diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2). This course is a 2 to 2.5-hour private or group class.
To ensure a healthy pregnancy for mom and baby, it’s best to start planning before becoming pregnant or during early pregnancy at the latest. This 1.5 to 2-hour group class instructs participants on eating a healthy, balanced meal plan and provides a personalized meal plan. Discussion includes portion sizes, label reading, dining out, and artificial sweeteners. This class meets all nutritional needs including:
- Healthy eating
- Postpartum concerns
- Preconception
- Pregnancy
- Weight management before and during pregnancy
This class is great for patients managing PCOS and diabetes, as well as women expecting multiples who want to maximize their nutritional intake.
This class is for pregnant moms who have gestational diabetes, Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, PCOS or abnormal glucose. It is a 1 to 1.5-hour group class.
The ABCDEs: After baby, caring for diabetes and me class will cover:
- Benefits of breastfeeding
- Blood sugar levels if you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
- Nutritional needs after birth
- Oral glucose tolerance follow-up test for moms with gestational diabetes
- Planning for future pregnancies
- Weight management tips
- What to expect in the postpartum period
Diabetes Pregnancy Resources and Support
Our Community Education Department provides support groups to help families handle the psychological and emotional changes that come with newborn care and parenthood. All support groups are free of charge and registration is not required to attend. Support groups meet on a regular schedule, excluding holidays. Parking will be validated.
Our team is available for speaking engagements to various groups, health fairs, and other corporations interested in diabetes related health. We are committed to mentoring registered nursing and registered dietitian students about diabetes and pregnancy. For more information, please call the Perinatal Diabetes Center at (713) 383-2839.
Nutrition education is provided by registered dietitians who are part of our diabetes self-management program. They specialize in preconception nutrition, pregnancy meal planning, caloric intake with multiples, PCOS, and the management of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes.