Centering Pregnancy®: A Patient’s Journey
Eve Wicker picked out a name for her son but kept it a secret until she met him for the first time.
Then she was able to introduce James to the world.
She’s thrilled, and filled with excitement and anticipation about the wonderful – yet exhausting – adventure of motherhood.
She also has a message for expecting mothers: The Centering Pregnancy ® program is an absolute must.
“The benefits have been immeasurable, and I think it is in large part due to the fact that instead of a regular one-on-one visit where you may have 15 minutes with a practitioner, you get over an hour with the group to discuss anything and everything regarding your pregnancy,” she said.
She learned about the Centering Pregnancy ® program during her initial prenatal appointment.
“I was told that history had shown that women and couples who entered the program had lower numbers of C-sections and greater success with breastfeeding,” she said.
What is Centering Pregnancy®?
Centering Pregnancy® sessions are much more than childbirth classes.
Through this program, patients with similar due dates get together as a group with their health care provider.
During these sessions, they share information, express concerns and keep track of the latest developments.
The Centering Pregnancy® classes cover not only labor and delivery, but they also provide vital information on nutrition, stress management and how to deal with common discomforts.
What does it mean for participants?
It means more time with a health care provider. A community of emotional support. Growing together with others who are going through a similar chapter in their lives.
There are many medical benefits, as well.
Women who have participated have greater success in breastfeeding and lower rates of preterm birth. They often have a more positive labor and delivery experience.
Centering Pregnancy®: The Patient’s Perspective
Wicker is a returning patient: She went to Chapel Hill OBGYN when she was a student at UNC.
Now that she has moved back to the Triangle area, she re-established her relationship with the practice. It was there that she heard of Centering Pregnancy ® and decided to participate.
“It is a safe space and the guided topics bring up a wealth of information that you wanted to know, or didn’t know that you needed to know but are glad you do!
On top of that, you get to meet and share with other patients and couples who are going through the exact same thing as you are, around relatively the same time,” she said.
“It is comforting to know that you aren’t the only one experiencing certain things, and the people from your centering group become friends, and a great support system for each other.”
The learning experience from Centering Pregnancy® made Wicker feel better prepared for the childbirth experience.
“I learned so much, from how to properly swaddle a baby, techniques for breastfeeding, changes your body is making and why, how to care for yourself pre- and post-baby, the list goes on.
It’s truly a comprehensive crash course for pregnancy and beyond,” she said.
“We went to another birthing class taught by someone else. And we were amazed that we already knew almost everything that they were teaching because we had done Centering Pregnancy ®. Other people in the same class seemed to be hearing things we knew for the first time.”
One of the great benefits of Centering Pregnancy ® is that she was able to bond with other expectant mothers at the sessions.
“It has been so nice to talk with other moms who are going through the same things as you are. Not only do we share solutions to common issues, but we also meet up to do prenatal exercising together. I know once the baby comes that if I need someone to ask a weird random question to, I can text anyone from the group and they will be right there to help,” she said.
Wicker added that her provider was a valuable resource during these Centering Pregnancy ® classes.
“They really helped me by listening to all of my questions, and yes, sometimes irrational fears, and never made me feel like I was being unreasonable or crazy for feeling a certain way,” she said. “They acknowledge what a unique transition this is for your life and offer ways to cope with all of the changes and make you feel completely prepared –or at least as much as one can be–for the birth of your baby.”
Want More Information on Centering Pregnancy®?
We’ve cared for generations of women like Eve for more than four decades.
One of our greatest joys is seeing the benefits patients receive from programs such as our Centering Pregnancy® classes.
We’ll discuss it with you on your first prenatal visit, which is a part of your OBGYN appointment schedule during pregnancy.
Interested in participating? If so, just contact us for more information.
OBGYN Appointment Schedule During Pregnancy
We want to care for you throughout your pregnancy and your life. Not sure where to begin? We’ve got some useful information about a typical OBGYN appointment schedule during pregnancy.
Please contact us to schedule an appointment. We’re excited to take this journey with you.
For more than 40 years, Chapel Hill OBGYN has served women in the Triangle area, sharing the joy of little miracles and supporting them during challenges. Our board-certified physicians and certified nurse midwives bring together the personal experience and convenience of a private practice with the state-of-the-art resources found at larger organizations. To schedule an appointment, please contact us for more information.
