Tripler Army Medical Center staff show an example of Centering activity that is performed during group sessions, illustrating how people are all connected at Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii on February 8, 2014. Photo courtesy of Tripler Army Medi...

Centering Providers come together during training at Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii on February 8, 2014. Photographed are: Maj. Erin Rodriguez, Christina Sabin, Maj. Sarah Ohm, Christina Tom, Stephanie Franco, 1st Lt. Danyelle Stutz, Eileen Gawy...

Tripler Army Medical Center launches new Centering Pregnancy Program which gives expecting mothers the opportunity to build a support group with other pregnant women and have a more active role in their pregnancy. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Health C...

Few things are as beautiful, profoundly life-changing and exciting as becoming a mother. Although the journey can be filled with uncertainty, studies show that a woman's experience during the delivery process has a potential to positively impact multiple facets of a woman's life.

Facing pregnancy as a military member, or especially as a military spouse, can bring about a variety of emotions.

Cpt. Kristen Swift, Certified Nurse Midwife at Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC), hopes to ease new parent concerns through centering.

"Centering provides patients continuity of care with their health care provider and an ability to develop a support group of fellow pregnant women," states Swift.

This new approach to pregnancy, from first visit to birth, helps put expectant mothers in charge of their pregnancy and aids women in having a more active role throughout the process.

"Patients who participate in centering pregnancy have been shown to decrease emergency room visits, preterm births and low birth weight and have higher breastfeeding rates," stated Swift.

It is also a group model of prenatal care that is endorsed by the March of Dimes and the American College of Nurse Midwives, yet still follows the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology's guidelines for prenatal care along with aligning with the Surgeon General's focus on Patient Centered Care Initiatives.

"We strongly feel that a medical center such as Tripler, where many women may be far from families and friends, that such a program would be a great benefit."

This innovative method of prenatal care will be offered to women with low risk pregnancies who meet enrollment requirements; however the hope is to extend this program to all pregnant women in the near future.

For more information on Centering, call 433-5932.

The mission of the Tripler Army Medical Center Obstetric and Gynecologic Department is to provide optimal health care to all female beneficiaries while training the future leaders of our profession in the premier training program in the Army system.