Capital Region Midwifery, a practice of St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates (SPHPMA), has introduced the innovative CenteringPregnancy® program, offering a new model of prenatal care that fosters community, education, and support for expectant parents. This groundbreaking program is the only one of its kind in the Capital Region and is proven to improve birth outcomes, including reducing preterm birth rates by 40%, minimizing racial disparities, lowering postpartum depression, and increasing breastfeeding rates.
“CenteringPregnancy is a game-changer for prenatal care,” said Maureen Murphy, LM, licensed midwife at Capital Region Midwifery. “Not only does it provide expectant parents with essential prenatal care, but through extended time with a midwife and the group setting experience, it also creates a community of support that continues long after birth. Seeing the positive impact on our patients has been truly rewarding.”
“We are incredibly proud of the midwives and staff at Capital Region Midwifery for their dedication and hard work in bringing CenteringPregnancy to our patients and their growing families,” said Kellie Valenti, President, SPHPMA. “This program reflects our unwavering commitment to enhancing maternal health outcomes and delivering compassionate, patient-centered care. The early success we’ve seen is a testament to the power of this model.”
A Unique Approach to Prenatal Care
CenteringPregnancy, first developed in the 1990s by Sharon Rising and the Centering Healthcare Institute in Boston, combines personalized health care with engaging group sessions. Expectant parents join a cohort of 8–10 individuals with similar due dates, attending 10 interactive group visits that each last between 90 minutes to two hours.
These sessions provide ample time with a midwife and fellow expectant parents, fostering friendships and a supportive environment. Participants take an active role in their health care by tracking their vital signs, engaging in private check-ins with their provider, and participating in group discussions covering topics such as nutrition, labor preparation, breastfeeding, and infant care.
Proven Benefits of CenteringPregnancy
- Better Health Outcomes: Research shows CenteringPregnancy significantly improves birth outcomes, reducing the likelihood of preterm births and reducing racial disparities.
- Empowered Self-Care: Participants actively engage in their health management and gain confidence in monitoring their pregnancy.
- Increased Provider Access: Expectant parents receive 10 times more time with their midwife compared to traditional care models.
- Stronger Support System: The program fosters friendships and a strong support network among expectant parents navigating pregnancy together.
- Interactive Learning: Unlike traditional prenatal visits, CenteringPregnancy’s dynamic, discussion-based format ensures higher engagement and understanding of key health topics.
Growing Interest and Upcoming Sessions
The program at Capital Region Midwifery has already welcomed 12 individuals in its first two cohorts, with recruitment for future cohorts happening on an ongoing basis. As part of the program’s curriculum, Burdett Birth Center (BBC) will exclusive tours of the facility to enhance the experience for Centering participants and their partners.
These tours will include an introduction to the “Labor Cart,” a unique initiative developed by BBC labor and delivery nurses Hannah Gregory and Jenny Picarillo. The Labor Cart is available to anyone who births at BBC. It is stocked with items such as battery-operated candles, Bluetooth projectors, massage balls, fans, and aromatherapy diffusers—designed to help women manage labor in a calming, safe space.
Those interested in joining the next cohort of Capital Region Midwifery’s CenteringProgram can contact 518-326-1620 or visit https://www.sphp.com/location/capital-region-midwifery
