For many women who have just found out they are expecting, their heads are usually swimming with thoughts of everything that needs to be completed over the next several months in preparation for their new bundle of joy.
The Centering Program, held at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center Women’s Health Center, combats those thoughts through education and awareness, guiding thousands of women on their journey from prenatal care to delivery.The program is designed for women and Soldiers to help assist them with regularly scheduled doctor’s visits in a group setting with other pregnant women who share the same expected delivery time frame.
“It is a great opportunity for women to bond,” said Cpt. Kasey Mayclin, Obstetrician and Gynecologist and a facilitator of the Centering Program at CRDAMC.
“This program is beneficial to young, single Soldiers and first time moms,” said Carol Bradley, a Certified Nursing Assistant and co-facilitator of the Centering Program at CRDAMC. “It helps them to get to know people in their same situation.”
Established in 2008 at Fort Hood, the program has expanded throughout the Army and is offered at various installations in the continental United States.
“I think the program should be bigger than what it is,” said Bradley. “It can be a scary situation for new moms and spouses of deployed Soldiers who have no support system or family here. With the help of this program, many of the patients begin lifetime friendships with the other women in the groups.”
There have been several benefits associated with expectant moms who attend the Centering Program.
“Although this program is voluntary, it is very beneficial,” said Mayclin. “Studies have shown that this program not only reduces preterm labor, but also reduces the amount of stress that can occur during pregnancy.”
After enrolling, schedules of appointments are emailed to the patient that lists every appointment until the baby’s delivery date.
The appointments are scheduled for two hour increments, but within that time patients are able to sit in a group setting and talk to other pregnant moms, ask the doctor questions and share experiences during their pregnancy journey.
Doctors are also available to answer any questions that a patient might have who doesn’t feel comfortable asking in a group environment. During this one-on-one time, patients can also listen to their baby’s heartbeat.
Spc. Payge Washington, assigned to the 615th Aviation Support Brigade, said “I got a lot of questions answered that I did not know; it is better than the required five minute OB appointments.” Washington is a first-time mom and an avid participant in the program.
Spouses are encouraged to attend, so they too can have their questions answered said Mayclin.
Free refreshments and beverages are served at every appointment.
The program even accepts high risk as well as normal pregnancy patients. The appointment times are 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information visit the Women’s Health Center or Perinatology.
| Date Taken: | 03.03.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2015 10:23 |
| Story ID: | 175706 |
| Location: | KILLEEN, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 72 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Centering: Pregnancy Program for military families, by SGT Whitney Woods, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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