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SUPPORT & RESOURCES

Learn. Connect. Feel Supported.

At Holy Cross Health, knowledge is part of healing. Our classes and support groups help you prepare for childbirth, surgery and other treatments, recovery and lifelong wellness.

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Maternity & Birth Care

Classes taught by registered nurses who are certified in childbirth education – in English and in Spanish – help parents, siblings and grandparents prepare for pregnancy and your new baby. Topics range from what to expect during labor and delivery to baby care and breastfeeding. Check out a complete listing of available childbirth and parenting education classes. 

Gestational diabetes is a pregnancy-induced condition that may occur in the third trimester of pregnancy. It is caused by carbohydrate intolerance and characterized by abnormally high blood glucose levels. Our Gestational Diabetes Education Program offers one-on-one instruction to help expectant moms learn how to manage gestational diabetes. Learn more.

Holy Cross Health offers a wide range of home care services for expectant mothers, new mothers and newborns – based on your doctor’s orders. Neonatal babies often have continuing medical needs and may require skilled nursing assistance at home. Your insurance may cover some services, and others are offered on a fee-for-service basis. Check with your insurance company for coverage options. 
The Home Care program also provides post-delivery home check-ups to newborns of moms receiving prenatal and postnatal care through our OB clinics. Board-certified lactation consultants are also available for home consults after birth. For more information, call 301-754-7754.

Never Alone is a support program for parents who choose to carry a pregnancy to term after receiving a life-limiting diagnosis for their baby. With compassion and care, our coordinator helps guide you through available services, birth planning and emotional support. We connect you with specialists in neonatology, perinatal care, labor and delivery, spiritual care and hospice, helping you prepare for delivery and the days that follow. Contact the program coordinator at 301-754-7256.

  • During Your Hospital Stay: Our nurses or certified lactation consultants can help you with latching on and positioning, encouraging fussy and reluctant babies and meeting you and your baby’s special needs. For support at home, consult the ILCA website at www.ilca.org to find international board-certified lactation consultants. These professionals charge for their services.
  • Classes: Register today for our virtual class, Getting Started With Breastfeeding. Topics include the benefits of breastfeeding, latching on, positioning and signs that baby is getting enough – helping you get off to a good start. Periodically, we also offer a free workshop to enhance your breastfeeding experience. Browse upcoming childbirth and parenting classes and events.
  • Support Group: Our free support group, offered in partnership with Breastfeeding USA, provides emotional support and answers to your breastfeeding questions. To learn more, call 301-326-4715 for English or 530-535-8242 for Spanish.
  • Breast Pump Rentals: Electric breast pumps are available to rent from the Holy Cross Hospital Lactation Services office. Call 301-754-7745 for more information.
  • Community Resources for Breastfeeding After You Leave the Hospital

Children are 35 times more likely than adults to be victims of identity theft. Without credit until their late teens, thieves have years to work undetected. Parents can use a credit freeze to protect their children’s identity. Maryland law requires credit agencies to allow parents to create a credit report for a child solely for immediately freezing it. The sooner you freeze your child’s credit, the lower the risk for identity theft. Visit KidSafeMaryland.org to learn more.

Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) is the unexpected death of a child less than one year old. With over 3,000 infant deaths in the U.S. due to sleep-related causes each year, it is a risk many families face. Holy Cross Health has achieved Gold Certification from the Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program, affirming our pledge to infant safe sleep.

Safe Sleep ABCs
ALONE: Baby sleeps alone in an empty crib.  
Bed-sharing greatly increases the risk of sleep-related deaths, including when a caregiver falls asleep holding a baby on a couch, bed or recliner. A safe sleep space for your baby should be totally empty. Objects such as toys, pillows, stuffed animals or bumpers increase risks of entrapment, suffocation or strangulation.

BACK:  Babies should sleep on their BACK for every nap and every sleep.
Even if your baby has reflux or spits up a lot, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it is still safest to put your baby on their back for every sleep. As babies grow and start rolling (back to tummy, tummy to back), they should still be placed on their backs to sleep in an empty crib and without swaddling.

CRIB:  Use a firm, flat mattress and a tightly fitted sheet.
A baby is safest on a firm, flat mattress with a fitted sheet. According to the AAP, a safe sleep space should not indent when the baby is lying on it. Loose blankets could cover the baby's mouth or nose and increase the risk of a sleep-related injury or death. 

Do not use sleep products that are not designed for sleeping babies, such as a Boppy pillow or Dock-a-Tot. Under the Safe Sleep for Babies Act, inclined infant sleepers are now banned. Any sleep space that inclines more than 10 degrees is unsafe and not recommended for baby sleep.

If you do not have a crib, bassinet or pack-and-play for your baby, talk with a healthcare team member. You can also call Cribs for Kids toll-free at 1-888-721-2742 (CRIB).

This education portal is designed to give you convenient access to valuable information. It includes the tools and support you need at every stage of your healthcare journey and beyond. YoMingo gives you access to:

  • Information: Evidence-based information and videos on prenatal care, labor and birth, postpartum, breastfeeding and newborn care.
  • Classes: Childbirth, newborn care and other topics.
  • Tools: Kick counter, contraction timer, personal journal, feeding log, immunization log and others.

Click here to register for Baby101: Powered by YoMingo. Once you have registered, you will receive an email invitation from noreply@yomingo.com that lets you create a unique password and log in. Already registered? Log in at yomingo.com.

Baby 101: Powered by YoMingo is available on any device. Once registered, you can also download the mobile app version on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.    

Disclaimer: The information in YoMingo® is NOT intended to take the place of a healthcare provider or any information that your healthcare provider has discussed with you about your own personal health. You must seek care and work with your healthcare provider to keep yourself healthy and safe. Always call your healthcare provider with any questions you may have. By creating an account in YoMingo, you have verified that you have read and agree to this disclaimer.

Breast Health

Holy Cross Health's comprehensive medical and support services for cancer patients and their loved ones include the following:

  • Pain Management
    Pain management experts are part of the cancer multidisciplinary team that collaborates on your individual care plan. The Holy Cross Pain Management Center offers individualized evaluation and treatment designed to effectively manage pain and help you return to normal daily activities.
  • Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
    Physical therapy and rehabilitation may be part of your cancer treatment and recovery. Our staff includes specialists in physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology. Together, they collaborate on an individual treatment plan to restore function, help you reach your highest level of independence and maintain your quality of life.
  • Lymphedema Therapy
    Cancer patients who have lymph nodes removed may experience side effects requiring special care, including physical therapy. Treatment is available through our dedicated Lymphedema Treatment Center.
  • Nurse Navigation
    Holy Cross Health provides a cancer nurse navigator to guide you through treatment and recovery. She will also serve as advocate and friend during this challenging time – answering questions, accompanying you to appointments, arranging other support services and more.
  • Nutrition Services
    Patients may benefit from medical nutrition therapies for cancer. Our registered dietitians offer nutrition counseling and will work with you to develop a plan that addresses your specific needs.
  • Counseling and Spiritual Care
    A cancer diagnosis and treatment are among the most challenging events you and your loved ones will face. We offer support options designed to help you and your family when you need it most. Counseling is available for cancer patients, and our oncology social workers provide support for patients and family members, including children. Spiritual support is also available through our Spiritual Care team. Clergy of every affiliation – who respect and honor every patient’s cultural beliefs and rituals –work with you, your family and your care team.
  • Palliative Care
    Holy Cross Health provides palliative care for hospitalized patients with serious, life-limiting illnesses, including cancer. The multidisciplinary palliative care team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, spiritual care providers, pharmacologists and pain management specialists, working closely with your attending physician and the nursing staff to support you, your loved one and/or the entire family. Our holistic approach is designed to reduce the suffering and anxiety caused by serious illness.
  • Holy Cross Home Care and Hospice
    Holy Cross Home Care and Hospice offers home-based medical care and private home services to best meet your individual and family needs. Your cancer care team will assess medical care options for home. You can also arrange for help with daily living needs, including light housekeeping and laundry, grocery shopping and meal preparation, assistance with bathing and dressing, plus medication reminders and companionship. Although we emphasize the importance of home care, hospice services are also available for other care settings. Compassionate team members can help with skilled nursing, social work, personal assistance, spiritual support and grief counseling for adults and children.

The emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Recent studies have shown that people being treated for cancer who participate in support groups often report having a better quality of life than those who don't participate. Patients with cancer, as well as their support networks of family and friends, are encouraged to participate in one of our cancer support groups, offered at Holy Cross Health locations and in the community. These groups provide an opportunity for you to discuss your feelings, share your fears and learn coping skills.

  • Lymphedema Support Group
    This group meets quarterly to connect people diagnosed with lymphedema. Family members, friends and caregivers are welcome and encouraged to attend, to help you with the daily challenges of lymphedema through knowledge, action, resources and support. For more information, call Mike Collins at 301-754-7340.
  • Support Group for Latinas with Cancer
    This group meets on the last Wednesday of each month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Holy Cross Health Center, 220 Perry Parkway, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. For more information, call Claudia Campos at Nueva Vida at 202-223-9100.
  • THYCA: Thyroid Cancer Support Group 
    ThyCa Washington, D.C., is a mutual-help support group open to thyroid cancer survivors and families. This group is affiliated with the Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association Inc. (ThyCa). For more information, call 301-943-5419.

These additional resources and tools are designed to support your journey from diagnosis and treatment to cancer survivorship – including a patient guide, an online cancer health library, downloadable tools and a list of cancer consumer and research websites. 

Pelvic Health

These resources may be helpful to you before and after pelvic floor surgery. 

This therapy can help you manage the effects of non-surgical and surgical pelvic pain, bowel dysfunction and incontinence, urinary urgency, frequency and incontinence, sexual dysfunction and pregnancy/postpartum complications. One-on-one sessions with an experienced therapist may include therapeutic pelvic floor exercises, biofeedback/electrical stimulation, postural re-education, manual therapy, breathing and relaxation techniques, bladder and bowel training, and lifestyle modifications. For more information, call 301-754-7340. 

Available at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, patients may benefit from nutrition counseling and lifestyle adjustments. For more information, call 301-754-7848.

Fitness and movement classes – including yoga, Pilates and Senior Fit – are available at various locations in Montgomery and Prince George's counties. The class schedule is available online or by calling 301-754-8800.