Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health is expanding prenatal care options for expectant mothers with the launch of CenteringPregnancy®, an evidence-based group prenatal care program designed to provide medical care, education and peer support throughout pregnancy. The program will officially be introduced to the community during Cozy Beginnings: Community Baby Shower and Introduction to CenteringPregnancy® on Sept. 19 at ECU Health Women’s Physicians in Greenville.
CenteringPregnancy® brings together pregnant patients with similar due dates for prenatal care in a group setting led by ECU Health certified nurse midwives. The model combines traditional prenatal checkups with interactive education and opportunities for participants to build relationships with others experiencing similar stages of pregnancy.
“ECU Health is excited to offer CenteringPregnancy® to eastern North Carolina, providing patients with the support, education and connection they need throughout pregnancy,” said Dr. James Whiteside, chief of Service at ECU Health Medical Center and professor and chair for the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
“CenteringPregnancy® provides women with the same high-quality prenatal care they expect from ECU Health while creating opportunities to build meaningful connections, gain knowledge and receive support from both their care team and other expectant parents. We are proud to offer an innovative approach that promotes healthier pregnancies, stronger family support systems and improved outcomes for both mothers and babies.”
Unlike traditional prenatal visits, CenteringPregnancy® sessions bring together small groups of eight to 12 patients for 90- to 120-minute appointments beginning in the second trimester and continuing through delivery. Each session includes private health assessments, discussions about pregnancy, labor, delivery and newborn care, and opportunities for participants to ask questions and share experiences in a supportive environment. Research has shown that group prenatal care models can improve patient engagement, increase health education and strengthen social support during pregnancy.
“One of the things that makes CenteringPregnancy® so special is the opportunity for expectant parents to realize they are not alone in their pregnancy journey,” said Jomeka Mowery, CenteringPregnancy® program coordinator and certified nurse midwife at ECU Health. “The program creates a welcoming space where participants can share experiences with others facing similar questions and challenges and build a supportive community that extends beyond prenatal visits.Those connections can make a meaningful difference throughout pregnancy and into early parenthood.”
CenteringPregnancy® sessions will be offered through ECU Health Women’s Physicians in Greenville beginning this fall.
The community is invited to learn more about the program at Cozy Beginnings: Community Baby Shower and Introduction to CenteringPregnancy®, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at ECU Health Women’s Physicians, 2160 Herbert Court in Greenville. The free event will feature educational sessions, tours of the new CenteringPregnancy® space, community resources, music, giveaways, refreshments and activities for families. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet doulas from SEEDS ENC, lactation specialists, childbirth educators and other community partners who support families throughout pregnancy and beyond. Partners of the event include A Line Wearhouse,
Love Joy Music, Frankly Delicious, Floating Hammock Massage, Community Care of North Carolina and Birth and Bloom. To register for the community baby shower, please visit ECUHealth.org/events.