CenteringPregnancy is an exciting way for women to get prenatal care. Medical check-ups, support, and education all take place in a group setting. Compared to traditional care, women spend more time with their health care provider and with other pregnant women, which gives them a chance to learn a lot more about pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. Following the intake you will have the option to choose between traditional check-ups or taking part in CenteringPregnancy.
Prenatal care in a group setting
If you participate in the program, you will be part of a group with 8 to 12 other women all due around the same time as you. There will be nine (pre-scheduled) meetings. These meetings take the place of the regular fifteen-minute check-ups. Moms engage in their care by taking their own weight and blood pressure and recording their own health data with private time with the midwife for belly check. You will learn from your midwife and from each other. This space gives you the opportunity to share stories, discuss topics that are important to you and talk about all the things you are experiencing. At the same time you are building a community of women, which provides continued support long after your baby is born.
The CenteringPregnancy sessions will start between 11 and 16 weeks of pregnancy and end around 36 weeks, after which you will continue with individual check-ups with the midwife. Ultrasounds are always done in a separate appointment. You are able to meet all the midwives during your check-ups in this stage.
Your partner and/or other supportive persons are also welcome to join you for the first 30 minutes of each session. There are two evenings when they can join for the whole session. These evenings are the preparation for the delivery. One midwife and an assistant will lead the sessions.
Benefits
Women in Centering spend much more time with the midwife than women in traditional care. During each two-hour session with the midwife you will have time to ask all your questions and discuss your concerns.
Centering moms are better prepared for labor, delivery, and to care for their infant.
Numerous scientific studies have shown that taking part in CenteringPregnancy meetings improves the outcome of your pregnancy and gives you more self-confidence during pregnancy, childbirth and in your new role as a mother.
When you will be part of a CenteringPregnancy group, you will get to know the other women well, and you will be able to share your experiences during this special period of your life. It can be the beginning of new lifelong friendships.
