Prenatal Classes
Prenatal classes go a long way toward ensuring a more positive birth experience. They are held four times a year:
- January
- April
- July
- October
Each series has five classes that meets at 7 p.m. in the Education Room at First Care Medical Services. Classes include the following topics:
- Fetal growth and development
- Discomforts of pregnancy
- Signs and symptoms of labor
- Labor and delivery
- Conscious relaxation techniques
- Infant care and feeding
- Infant CPR
- Car seat safety
Darlene Skoglund, RN, Certified Lactation Consultant, is available to counsel, answer questions, give guidance, and support mothers who choose to breastfeed their babies. For questions about breastfeeding call Darlene at First Care Medical Services in Fosston, (218) 435-1133. To register for classes or for more information, call Kristi Tofstad (218) 435-7606.
Breastfeeding Classes begin on the first Monday immediately following the Prenatal classes at 7 p.m. in the Education Room at First Care Medical Services. Contact Darlene Skoglund, RN at (218) 435-1133 or Kristie Tofstad at (218) 435-7606 to register for classes or find out more information.
Breastfeeding Support Group meet the first Wednesday every month at 7 p.m. in the Home Health Conference Room at First Care Medical Services. Contact Darlene Skoglund, RN or Kristie Tofstad at (218) 435-1133 to register for classes or find out more information.
CPR Classes
CPR Classes are held the 1st Wednesday of the month at 12:30 pm in the Education Room at First Care Medical Services. These classes are for medical personnel only, but CPR or first aid classes for the community and/or organizations can scheduled. To register for classes or for more information, please call Jake Howard at (218) 435-7690.
Diabetes Classes and Support Group
Diabetes is a disease caused when the pancreas either fails to produce a protein hormone called insulin or the body's cells are resistant to the action of insulin. Without insulin, the body cannot process and use glucose, a blood sugar which is a chief source of energy for living organisms and is found in certain foods like fruit. If the body's cells have become resistant to insulin, glucose cannot be moved from the blood to cells in order to be transformed into energy.
Diabetes is one of the fastest growing ailments in the United States. There have been estimates that some 125 million people worldwide have diabetes, and the number is expected to double by the year 2025. Type II Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, striking primarily middle age people and making up 90 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.
Often called the "lifestyle" disorder, driven by too much weight and to little activity, the following can be used to control Type II Diabetes:
- Exercise
- Weight control
- Diet restrictions
- Medication
The following can result from uncontrolled or inadequately controlled diabetes:
- Blindness
- Loss of hearing
- Heart and kidney disease
- Strokes, cataracts
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis of the intestinal tract
- Gangrene requiring amputation of limbs and death.
Inpatient Diabetes Program
Our staff provides assistance in the care of those who have diabetes and our patients at First Care Medical Services. During a hospital stay, patients may learn some of the basic skills needed to manage diabetes. To achieve optimal diabetes management, most patients need outpatient follow-up care after their stay. For more information, contact Candy Keller at (218) 435-7009.
Diabetes Self-Management
Through the Diabetes Self-Management Program, we offer education and continued support to people with diabetes. The goal of the program is to provide those diagnosed with diabetes the knowledge and skills necessary to stay well and prevent complications. The self-management program can be accomplished through individual sessions or group classes with a nurse and dietitian who are certified diabetic educators. For more information, contact Candy Keller at (218) 435-7009.
First Care offers a coordinated effort for monitoring and treating diabetes, including Candy Keller Diabetes Educator.
The Diabetes Support Group
The Diabetes Support Group meets the second Thursday of each month at First Care Medical Services in the Education Room at 10 am. Meetings can be found on the Events Calendar of the First Care Home Page. Research demonstrates improved diabetes outcomes through ongoing diabetes education and follow-up. There are a variety of presenters scheduled to address areas of concern and importance to all those with diabetes whether newly diagnosed or those who have had the disease for years.
Contact Information
Prenatal Classes, Lactation Classes, or Breastfeeding Support Group
Contact Darlene Skoglund, RN or Kristie Tofstod at (218) 435-1133 to register for classes or find out more information on prenatal classes, lactation classes or breastfeeding support group.
CPR Classes
To register for classes or for more information on CPR Classes, please call Jake Howard at (218) 435-7690.
Diabetes Classes and Support Group
For more information on the Diabetes Classes and Support Group, contact Candy Keller at (218) 435-7009.