Midwifery at WHA: What's 'centering pregnancy'?
Editor's Note: Midwifery at Women's Health Alliance, the sponsor of our Go Ask Mom Cutest Baby Contest, will be offering some health information during the next couple of weeks. Today, they share information about "CenteringPregnancy," a national program.
Centering Pregnancy is a fun and exciting way to experience your prenatal care.
Instead of a long wait to spend only a few minutes of time with your health care provider, imagine an hour and a half of time spent in a private group of women, all due at the same time you are.
Topics include nutrition, exercise, stress management, infant care and feeding, labor and delivery, family planning and many others. Different expert speakers visit your group and share information. For example, a yoga instructor reviews stretches, exercise, and body mechanics. A local lactation consultant discusses breastfeeding and what to expect in the early weeks. A labor and delivery nurse talks about the hospital experience. A pediatrician addresses early newborn care.
You are an active participant in your care as you learn to check your own blood pressure, monitor your weight and fetal heartbeat, and record it in your personal record. You have plenty of time for discussion and questions. 
Your support person (usually a certified nurse midwife) is welcome and participates in the group. Moms and partners get to know and trust the others in the group. They share experiences and concerns, and learn from each other. You get to enjoy your prenatal care in a comfortable classroom with refreshments, with sessions that begin and end right on time. Also, it is a time that works easily with your personal schedule.
Not only is Centering enjoyable, but research has proven that it is an effective way to prevent preterm births.
Some insurance plans recommend Centering Pregnancy as an “intervention” to reduce the risk of preterm birth. The March of Dimes is encouraging and assisting OB/GYN practices to set up Centering groups as a way to improve healthy birth outcomes.
Centering pregnancy is appropriate for all women whether they are having their first baby or their fifth, if they are high-risk or low-risk, if they plan a natural birth, or need a C-section. You can take advantage of the many benefits of Centering Pregnancy as part of your routine prenatal care insurance coverage, or global fee.
Click here to learn more about Centering Pregnancy on a national scale. Midwifery at Women's Health Alliance offers Centering Pregnancy programs. Go to the group's website to learn more about how you can get involved.
