The Emotional Side of Centering

CenteringPregnancy®, a group healthcare model designed to enhance prenatal care and education, has been shown to result in a wide range of benefits, including decreased preterm labor, increased birth weight and positive psychosocial effects.

A voluntary program, CenteringPregnancy blends educational sessions with monthly exams. A group of eight to 12 moms-to-be with similar due dates meets for 10 two hour sessions, giving patients more time with certified nurse-midwives. After private, individual check-ups, the group members gather to discuss various aspects of pregnancy such as nutrition, exercise, common discomforts, breastfeeding, staying safe, labor options, time management, balancing work with family responsibilities, difficulty adjusting to their new roles, and other factors that may contribute to depression and anxiety. Fathers-to-be are also encouraged to attend the sessions.

Being involved in Centering groups encourages rapport and strong relationships between the nurse-midwives and their patients because they get to know each other on a highly personal level, creating a bond that may not typically develop in the office setting. Women in the Centering groups create new friendships and provide support for each other during their pregnancies and after their babies are born.

“We primarily look at the physical benefits from Centering, but we are also finding that the psychosocial benefits are significant,” said Peggy Karpenske, RN, manager of Centra Medical Group Women’s Center. “Recent studies have shown that women who participate in Centering are more informed and less anxious,” she said, pointing to a study by the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine. The certified nurse-midwives at Centra Medical Group Women’s Center have been providing Centering groups for almost two years and recently earned site approval for model fidelity and quality assurance from the Centering Healthcare Institute in Boston.

Nicole, a participant in one of Centra’s Centering groups, was diagnosed with depression when she was 17. Soon after, she became a teen mom. Fortunately, she had her mother to help out, but she was scared about her pregnancy and childbirth. She felt alone and needed to start taking antidepressants to help with her sadness and fear.

During her latest pregnancy, Nicole became involved in the Centering group where she learned that she was not the only one who was afraid of what was to come.

Listening to other moms-to be helped me with my fear and anxiety. We have fun and provide strong support for each other. Things that previously made me depressed do not do that any longer. I can cope better and have a much more positive attitude. (Nicole)

They stay connected on Facebook where they post photosof their children and discuss issues. At their recentreunion, the moms and dads talked about planning afamily cookout in the park. And they always have the optionof more reunions at the midwifery practice.

Nicole is dealing well with her depression these days.She attributes that change, at least partially, to the supportshe receives from the other members of the group.

“My family practice doctor said I was doing so well Icould stop taking anti-depressants,” she added. “I now see the brighter side of everything.”

Nicole and the other moms stressed the importance of the dads-to-be to also be involved in Centering. Not only can they relate to the other dads in the group, but it helps them to appreciate what their partners are going through. One new dad said, “It helped me to understand her perspective and what she needed from me.”

To learn more about Centering, call 434.385.8948