The nurse-midwifery group at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago will conduct a pregnancy program to bring together expecting mothers with comparable due dates and their providers to discuss important issues related to pregnancy in a group setting.
Topics to be examined include current or expected discomforts, stress and anxiety, proper nutrition, labor and delivery and breastfeeding. The program — called CenteringPregnancy — will exceed the recommended standard of 10 prenatal visits by expanding the length of visits by 30 minutes.
According to the Centering Healthcare Institute, CenteringPregnancy programs can reduce rates of preterm births, instances of low-weight babies and help decrease racial disparities regarding rates of preterm birth
"Our CenteringPregnancy program provides the women in our community with the most comprehensive birthing resources available," said Director of Midwifery Services Katherine Willey. "The program has proven to be a highly effective method for educating expecting mothers about the birthing process and what follows, ensuring that they have the knowledge and tools that they need to succeed with confidence."
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