In our first blog about our CenteringPregnancy program we walked through what you can expect from the CenteringPregnancy™ program and name some of the many benefits CenteringPregnancy™ offers.
If you’d like to learn more, you can read that blog by clicking here!
For this post, we’re outlining 7 quick facts about CenteringPregnancy™ that might encourage you or someone you know to come join us for our next session.
A Quick Introduction to CenteringPregnancy™
In case you didn’t read our first post, CenteringPregnancy™ is a patient-centered group visit approach to prenatal care. Centering care follows the recommended schedule of 10 prenatal visits, but each visit is 90 minutes to two hours long – giving women ten times more time with their provider. The visit schedule and content follow nationally recognized guidelines with flexibility and time to explore health and wellness topics that fit the group’s needs.
Patients and their partners can attend the Centering group sessions to learn about topics that impact their pregnancy and babies. Julie Langston, our Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, will be leading the groups with members of her team.
Fact #1: CenteringPregnancy™ gives you more time with your provider than traditional prenatal care.
In traditional prenatal care, women only see their provider for about two hours before giving birth. With CenteringPregnancy, you’ll have nearly ten times as much time with your provider than you would have with traditional prenatal care.
Fact #2: Over 95% of women who have tried CenteringPregnancy™ say that they prefer it to individual care.
With such a high approval rating, we encourage pregnant women to try CenteringPregnancy to see what they think. If you try one session and decide it’s not for you, we can schedule individual appointments for you.
Fact #3: You only have to share what you want to share in the group settings.
We value your privacy, and so will the rest of the women in the group. At the first group session, each person signs a confidentiality agreement and it is emphasized
that particular concerns should not be discussed outside the group setting. Ground rules are agreed upon and posted in the group space. The decision to share information with the group is made by each participant; no one ever is pressured to disclose personal concerns. You will also have private one-on-one time with your provider at the beginning of your sessions, and then you can choose what you want to contribute to the group discussions.
Fact #4: Group discussions will cover a wide variety of topics that are important to pregnant women.
Some of the discussion topics include what to expect in labor, common discomforts in labor, home preparation for the newborn, breastfeeding, dietary guidelines in pregnancy, feelings in pregnancy and contraception. Pregnant women will also get a chance to learn from each other in the community they have helped to develop.
Fact #5: You won’t have to spend any time waiting for your appointment.
With CenteringPregnancy™, there is no check-in or waiting room. Instead, you head straight to the Centering room where you will enjoy snacks as you begin working with our clinical staff. Because of this, more time of your visit is spent face to face with a provider. Plus, all the Centering appointments will be given to you for the entire duration of your pregnancy so that you can make any childcare or work arrangements in advance.
Fact #6: All pregnant mothers are encouraged to attend, whether it’s your first child or not.
Even if this isn’t your first baby, there are many reasons to choose CenteringPregnancy™ over traditional individual prenatal care. CenteringPregnancy™ offers you the chance to meet other mothers who have similar due dates and gain a support network. You’ll also be able to share what you’ve learned about pregnancy with other women. Through the CenteringPregnancy™ program, you’ll stay up to date on the latest in healthcare practices.
Fact #7: Your partner or other support person is welcome to attend with you.
We encourage you to bring your partner or support person – they will benefit from being a part of the group too! We ask that you bring the same person to each session for continuity and confidentiality. Support people sit in the circle and fully participate in all of the activities and discussions.
CenteringPregnancy™ Fees
This program is counted as prenatal care that should be covered by your insurance. If you don’t have insurance, it will be based upon a sliding fee scale we offer, just like any other prenatal visit. If you have questions regarding your insurance, our Financial Assistance team can help you. Call 800 321-5043 and ask to speak to our Insurance Navigators, Barb or Antoinette.
Learn more about CenteringPregnancy™
Talk to your Family Health Clinic provider to learn about enrollment. You can also call 800 321-5043 or click here to learn more!
