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.
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