By Dr. Jonelle Samuel is a board-certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist who practices in Greenbelt | Luminis Health
Prince George’s County, MD - A special delivery for expectant mothers in Prince George’s County! Luminis Health is launching CenteringPregnancy ®, a nationally recognized program, to support pregnant mothers and their families. This pioneering healthcare approach features group sessions with other expectant mothers and personalized consultations with your trusted Ob-Gyn or midwife.
CenteringPregnancy is one way Luminis Health is addressing the maternal health crisis that has particularly impacted Black women and communities of color nationwide. As part of Vision 2030, the health system’s strategic plan, we’ve set a bold goal of eliminating maternal and infant mortality in the communities we serve. Currently, the maternal mortality rate for Black women in Prince George’s County is 50% higher than the national average. And 80% of women in Prince George’s County leave the county to deliver their babies.
It’s important to provide and deliver quality prenatal care closer to home, which is why we’re excited to introduce CenteringPregnancy.
What Is CenteringPregnancy?
CenteringPregnancy is a healthcare concept that combines Ob-Gyn or midwife checkups with group prenatal care sessions. Here’s how it works:
- Centering visits begin at 16 weeks of pregnancy and continue through your due date.
- You meet for 10 sessions, each 90 to 120 minutes long, with a group of eight to 12 other women due around the same time.
- You are an active participant in your own health care, starting each session by taking and recording your own blood pressure and weight.
- At every visit, you have private time with your Ob-Gyn or midwife for a belly check. Your provider may take measurements or do an ultrasound.
- Providers then lead a discussion and facilitate engaging activities.
Feel free to ask any questions you have, and we highly encourage you to bring your spouse, partner, or a support person to every Centering visit.
Benefits of CenteringPregnancy
The type of prenatal care you choose is ultimately up to you. Some expectant mothers prefer traditional one-on-one care. For others, the interactive learning and supportive community of CenteringPregnancy helps them feel better prepared for childbirth and beyond. Here’s how:
A healthier mom and baby
A 2015 study by the Yale School of Public Health found that group prenatal care improved the health of both mother and baby. It also helped eliminate racial disparities in preterm births.
Participants in group prenatal care were:
- At lower risk of having a preterm or low birthweight baby.
- More likely to breastfeed their babies.
- More likely to make healthy lifestyle choices, including exercising, eating healthy foods, and staying away from drugs, alcohol, and nicotine.
- More likely to maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy.
- Less likely to get pregnant again soon after giving birth, a major risk factor for preterm delivery.
More time with your OB provider
In addition to shared time with your Ob-Gyn or midwife, you have a private checkup at each session. During that time, you can ask questions or share information you might not feel comfortable disclosing in the group.
A community of other moms
During CenteringPregnancy sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to bond with the same group of women each time — possibly forging lifelong friendships. It’s an instant support system; no matter what twists and turns your pregnancy journey may take, you know you’re not alone. Sharing experiences, learning from, and supporting one another are highlights of this innovative program
A wide range of discussion topics
In the group sessions, your provider will cover nutrition, pain management, labor and delivery, breastfeeding, and caring for your newborn. These talks — and the Q&A sessions that follow — help encourage positive behavior that leads to healthier outcomes.
To Get Involved
Upon completion of the program, you will be better prepared for labor and delivery, breastfeeding, and infant care. Don’t worry about the cost. Because Centering is prenatal care, most health insurance providers cover it like any other prenatal visit. Beginning this summer, the Centering program will take place at Luminis Health’s Greenbelt Ob-Gyn office. Call 301-982-0657 to learn more and to register. As someone who grew up and now practices in Prince George’s County, I am excited to see the positive impact this program holds for our community.
