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Hoag Helps Pregnant Women with Diabetes Find ‘Sweet Success’

November 2, 2023

Diabetes creates challenges for women before, during and after pregnancy. But the Ueberroth Family Program for Women with Diabetes at Hoag, also known as Sweet Success, provides access to expert diabetes care relating to pregnancy.

While diabetes during pregnancy increases a baby’s risk of birth defects and a mother’s risk of complications, certified diabetes educators in Hoag’s Sweet Success Program work with you and your OB to carefully manage your pregnancy and ensure continuity of care.

“The important message for women who have preexisting type 1 or type 2 diabetes is that they can have a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby,” said Meghan Gonzalez, registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist at the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center at Hoag. “And for the 10% of women who develop gestational diabetes mellitus during pregnancy, or GDM, our educators can help them manage their condition.”

With a physician referral, an expectant mother can enroll in the Sweet Success Program for educational, nutritional and emotional resources to support her through every stage of pregnancy including:

Preconception Counseling. Hoag provides individualized counseling, support and education for women with preexisting diabetes who are planning to become pregnant.

Pregnancy. Whether a woman is contending with preexisting diabetes or managing gestational diabetes, Hoag’s Sweet Success Program offers individual care and education, including nutrition education, blood glucose monitoring and medication and insulin instructions, as needed. The Sweet Success Program also includes support groups for women experiencing diabetes in pregnancy (no physician referral necessary).

Postpartum. Having a newborn is never easy. Diabetes can compound some of the challenges. Hoag’s Sweet Success Program offers classes and information for breastfeeding women with diabetes, as well as individualized planning and screenings. About 50% of women who have gestational diabetes mellitus will eventually develop type 2 diabetes, but with the right education and support, this can be prevented or delayed.

To learn more, visit hoag.org/specialties-services/diabetes-pregnancy.

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