Centering Pregnancy is prenatal care offered at SIU Center for Family Medicine that includes regular prenatal health check-ups with additional time for mothers-to-be to learn and share. Women have more private time with their providers, greater participation in their healthcare, learn more about pregnancy and are better prepared for birth and caring for the baby. Health assessment, education and support are three major components of care demonstrated throughout the Centering experience.
How does it work?
Upon arrival, the mother-to-be goes straight to the Centering room; there’s no office wait-time. Mothers meet with a doctor in a fun, relaxed setting and learn and experience pregnancy with other expectant moms who have similar due dates and questions. Snacks are provided and support persons are welcome to join each session. Ten visits are scheduled throughout the pregnancy. The expectant mothers get a ‘Mom’s Notebook’ and receive the full schedule for all prenatal visits, making planning for work and childcare easier. Centering Pregnancy creates a bond of friendship and support that can last a lifetime.
Centering Facts:
- Women in Centering are less likely to have a preterm baby
- Women feel more confident to make healthy decisions for themselves and their family
- Moms have higher breastfeeding rates — healthier for mom and baby
- Women say, “It’s fun!”
Topics Include, but are not limited to:
- Nutrition/Exercise
- Pregnancy Discomforts
- Stress Management/Relaxation
- Parenting/Infant Care/Pediatric Care
- Relationships
- Birth Experience
- Labor Decisions
- Emotional Well-Being/Postpartum
- Contraception/Future Planning
- Topics decided by the group
SIU Center for Family Medicine also provides traditional prenatal care where expectant moms meet one-on-one with a provider at scheduled appointments. Regardless of the care path chosen, SIU doctors will continue to provide health care for mother and baby after delivery.
SIU Center for Family Medicine is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), which allows it to provide health care services to anyone regardless of wether they have health insurance. For more questions or to schedule an appointment call (217) 545-8000. We have two locations: 520 North 4th Street, Springfield, IL-on the corner of 4th street and Carpenter Street between St. John’s Hospital and Memorial Medical Center and the Noll Pavilion, 5220 South 6th Street Road, Suite 1500.
By Laura Castelon, SIU Center for Family Medicine