Learn abou preparing for birth- including nutrition, exercise, movement, childbirth education and advocacy. This is a 5 class series, with the first 4 classes at 2 hours during the pregnancy, and one 1.5 hour class in the postpartum.  Class instructors include midwife and childbirth educator, with guests speaking about prenatal nutrition, pelvic floor health, and lactation.

Suggested enrollment for class is at 28 weeks of pregnancy.

This information is presented in promotion for healthier pregnancy outcomes for South Asians; however, ALL are welcome.  Note: This series does not include Childbirth Express; a separate registration is required for that.  For privacy reasons we do not record classes. 

Registration fee per couple or household for all five (5) classes $150 total.

This class series is offered 6x a year, and there 25 participants are welcome (max)  

Class Times are in the evening at 6:00 pm *except the last session is in the morning at 10am.

• Class 1.  Nutrition and Pregnancy (28-30 weeks):
  • Covers the basic guidelines for a healthy pregnancy along with culturally speciifc nutrition tips. The class will include an introduction to preparing for Healthy Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum with evidence based and culturally sensitive information. We focus on supporting pregnancy and birth as a transformative experience.  
  • Guest Speaker: Prajakta Waingankar, Nutritionist, South Asian Heart Center
    
    
• Class 2.  BIRTH part 1 (30-32 weeks):
  • Covers the what happens in labor and birth inlcuding the physiological process (including hormonal shifts), the baby's journey, and  the birthing person's experience. Class will do an introduction to some pain coping techniques, along with what partners and/or other support people can do.
    
• Class 3 Birth – Part 2 (32-34 weeks):
  • Includes information on birth, pushing strategies, what happens if interventions are needed, and advocacy tips. 
    
    
•  Class 4.  Preparing for the Postpartum: Sharing about how to prepare for the 4th trimester, including postpartum physical health, mental and emotional wellbeing, and an introduction to bodyfeeding (breastfeeding). Guest speaker: Kasthuri Veeerarhagavan PT
  
  
• Class 5.  Postpartum (4-8 weeks after delivery):
  • Addresses the common concerns after birth from breastfeeding issues including recommendations of foods that support milk production, to postpartum exercises and emotional support as you recover from birth.  Guest Speaker: , IBCLC, ECH Lactation Consultant
    
    
• Participants will be provided with the class slides, handouts, resources, recipes, shopping lists and exercises.
• Class sizes are limited to 25 families and this series runs 4-6  times a year.
• Classes are NOT recorded to maintain patient/participant privacy.
• Class details and class link provided within an email one week before class  and an email reminder sent two (2) days before class. 
• Questions Contact: Maternalchildeducation@elcaminohealth.org or (650) 988-8303
  
• Back up dates are offered for each class in the event the instructor needs to attend a delivery 
• There are no make-up classes

Registration & Refund Policy: 

For a full refund, you must request to cancel registration at least three (3) days prior to class start date, otherwise a transfer or credit will be issued.  Accepting credit card payments through online registration only. Registration required at least 24 hours in advance to ensure access to the class.

Psychosocial stress is a major contributor to heart disease, accounting for nearly a third of the risk for heart attacks worldwide. In this engaging workshop, you’ll explore the science behind rest as a powerful tool to manage and reduce stress. Learn about the two essential forms of rest—resting while asleep and resting while awake—and how both can profoundly impact your ability to cope with stress, restore balance, and lower your risk for chronic disease. Special focus for this workshop will be on meditation, with practical guidance on how to incorporate these evidence-based strategies into your daily life.

Unlock the power of exercise in preventing chronic disease. In this practical workshop, you’ll explore the science-backed benefits of physical activity and discover how regular movement can protect your long-term health. Experience live demonstrations of simple strength training exercises you can start at home—no special equipment required. Exercise is a key component for building a healthier lifestyle. Join us to gain the knowledge and confidence to make exercise a sustainable part of your daily routine.

Pregnancy Nutrition Made Simple

Good nutrition during pregnancy supports both your health and your baby's development and with so much nutrition advice out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This class offers evidence based, practical guidance on how to nourish your body and your baby, simple strategies for building balanced meals with whole foods, and proven approaches to common concerns like nausea and heartburn. The focus in this class is on real, whole foods and realistic choices that fit your lifestyle, culture, and preferences. This is a welcoming space for all expectant parents

Presenter: Prajakta Waingankar is the Coordinator of the Heart Health Coaching Program at the South Asian Heart Center at El Camino Health. She is a Board-Certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional, Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and Nutritionist, with a Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetics and a Ph.D. in Community Nutrition. Prajakta has coached over 500 participants, facilitating sustainable lifestyle changes related to diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management. She conducts the Diet Workshop for the Center’s participants and has taught the Healthy Pregnancy for South Asians series since 2023. She also holds a certification in Maternal and Infant Nutrition Education (MINE) through Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Prajakta is passionate about nutrition and clean eating. She enjoys cooking, exploring new foods, traveling, and reading in her free time.

Prajakta has coached over 500 participants, supporting them in making sustainable lifestyle changes across nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress management. She also leads nutrition workshops for the Center’s programs, translating evidence-based guidance into practical, culturally relevant strategies that fit everyday life.

She is passionate about whole-food nutrition and empowering individuals to make realistic, lasting changes. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, exploring new cuisines, traveling, and reading.

Registration, Privacy & Refund Policy:  No recordings are available.  For a full refund, you must request to cancel registration at least three (3) days prior to class start date, otherwise a transfer or credit will be issued. Accepting credit card payments through online registration only.  Registration required at least 24 hours in advance to ensure access to the class.

Class details and zoom link provided within an email receipt upon registering and an email reminder sent two (2) days before class.  Questions contact: Maternalchildeducation@elcaminohealth.org or (650) 988-8303

Discover how both the quality of your meals and your unique metabolic makeup influence your risk for chronic diseases. In this interactive workshop, you’ll explore the science behind diet and nutrition, learn how to apply evidence-based principles to your daily food choices, and gain practical, fail-safe tools for making healthier decisions. Walk away with personalized strategies and actionable goals to help lower your risk for chronic disease and improve your overall well-being.

Did you know that psychosocial stress is a leading risk factor for heart attacks worldwide? Rest is a vital tool for managing stress and protecting your health. In this workshop, you’ll explore the science of rest—both while asleep and while awake—and discover how quality sleep can help restore balance, reduce stress, and lower your risk for chronic disease. Learn practical strategies to improve your sleep habits and harness the power of rest as a cornerstone of a healthier lifestyle.

Did you know? Diabetes is preventable and even reversible. The CDC has created DPP, a year-long lifestyle change program proven to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 58% in adults at high risk and by 71% for those 60 and older. 

STOP-D is a CDC recognized, evidence-based program that helps people at risk for type 2 diabetes achieve weight loss and make healthy changes.

“STOP‑D helped me turn good intentions into lasting habits. From improved labs to weight loss and better body composition, I’ve seen real change—and gained confidence that I can maintain it, even with a busy life.” -Rajiv Puranik, Cupertino

Join our FREE Online Orientation to learn more:

During the orientation you’ll learn how STOP‑D helps you:

• Lower blood sugars and reduce diabetes risk
• Achieve healthy, sustainable weight loss
• Improve heart health and well‑being

You do not need to have prediabetes to join. The program is appropriate for those with diabetes or anyone seeking healthy lifestyle change and weight loss. Classes and coaching led by El Camino Health’s Lifestyle Medicine Specialists Erika Deshmukh MS, RDN, CDCES, dipACLM and Leela Kunhiraman dipIBLM, RPSGT.

Spots are limited and fill quickly. Take the first step toward a healthier future for you and your family.

Can’t attend and ready to enroll?

Email SAHC@elcaminohealth.org OR call 650-940-7242.

Due to the high and early incidence of diabetes and heart attacks, El Camino Health has created AIM to Prevent, a culturally tailored, lifestyle-focused, and evidenced-based risk-reduction program with these phases:

1. Assess to uncover your A.B.C. risk profile with advanced and comprehensive screening.
2. Intervene with culturally-appropriate lifestyle MEDS education through workshops. (MEDS-Meditation, Exercise, Diet, & Sleep)
3. Manage to facilitate and sustain lifestyle change with personalized, heart health coaching.

This membership also includes a complementary annual risk re-assessment.