Health Center Launches Centering Program for Expectant Mothers

The Greater Prince William Community Health Center announces the launch of a new model for prenatal care called CenteringPregnancy. Pregnant women coming to the Health Center will now have the opportunity to receive prenatal care in groups of 8 to 12 women with similar due dates. The first CenteringPregnancy™ group will begin at the Health Center on Wednesday, Dec. 7, with new groups beginning every month.

Centering provides a health assessment, education, and support group for expectant mothers. Groups meet once or twice monthly with one of the Health Center’s Certified Nurse Midwives. Each group session, which lasts two hours, begins with a private physical assessment of each woman, followed by time for socializing and group discussion about topics important to participants, such as nutrition, hygiene, breathing and relaxation techniques, childbirth, breastfeeding and post-partum care.

“The group setting offers so many advantages for our expectant mothers,” said Lisa Wiener, Prenatal Director at the Health Center. “In addition to learning information and skills from the Health Center’s experienced providers, the entire program is really tailored to the individual. We will talk about everything from physical concerns to how group members are feeling emotionally.” 

CenteringPregnancy™ was developed in 1993 by Sharon Schindler Rising, CNM, MSN, and is used by sites all over the country. Research indicates that Centering is an effective approach to prenatal care, allowing most patients 10 times more contact with their provider, a community of friends, an opportunity to participate actively in health decisions, plenty of time to discuss questions, and an enjoyable prenatal visit. Centering groups eliminate the need for extra classes and waiting for appointments to start.

To find out more about enrolling in CenteringPregnancy™ at the Health Center, call 703 680-7950, Extension 114. The Health Center accepts most private insurance plans and Medicaid.