Because pregnancy is stressful on mothers’ bodies and minds, the U is working toward offering “Centering Pregnancy” workshops at the U Hospital.
This new prenatal-care model for future mothers combines a group-education setting with discussion as a supplement to the mother’s regular visits to the clinic.
After having seen the success of the program at the U’s West Valley Ellis R. Shipp Clinic, Debra Penney, a facilitator and nurse midwife, said she hopes to see the program grow and become a standard service offered in U clinics.
“This program combines expertise and experience,” Penney said. “It gives (these women) a group support where they get to know one another as friends and learn from each other.”
The workshop groups women according to their due dates to help them connect with one another.
“(The program) gives mothers an opportunity to build a network of friends who are going through the same aches and pains and fears regarding the pregnancy,” said Hailey Seedall, a student in the nursing program, in a written statement. “As I watched the mothers at one centering session, I noticed that this program eases the anxieties and concerns these mothers have regarding their pregnancies.”
Women who participate in this program are given a book with 10 lessons, which focus on a broad array of topics that concern women, including nutrition, exercise and relaxation, preparing for childbirth and more.
“The lessons provide the
mothers (with) an opportunity to learn about their growing babies,” Seedall said. “Above all, the mothers feel prepared, less anxious and now have a group of friends to count on when (they face) any hardships.”
At each of the 10 meeting sessions, every woman is in charge of her own chart. They take their own blood pressure and weight and meet with a private practitioner for a few minutes before the meeting begins.
“This is set up as a self-assessment parenting style where they are able to evaluate themselves,” Penney said.
The concept of “Centering Pregnancy” began in 1994 in an effort to empower women, preparing them for the changes that will occur upon their babies’ arrivals.
The U College of Nursing will be hosting an educational two-day workshop from May 11 to 12 for health-care providers that desire to incorporate Centering Pregnancy in their clinics.
For more information about the program visit www.centeringpregnancy.com.