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Mid Coast Medical Group–Women's Health Becomes First Official CenteringPregnancy® Site in Maine

In mid August, the midwifery practice within Mid Coast Medical Group (MCMG) – Women’s Health Care became the first certified CenteringPregnancy site in the state of Maine.  Only ten other practices in the New England region have been granted this designation by the Centering Healthcare Institute in Boston, MA. Certification demonstrates that the group has met essential standards specific to the CenteringPregnancy model, which contributes to better health outcomes for mothers, their partners, infants and the greater community.

Pioneered in the early 1990s, CenteringPregnancy was conceived as a way to improve birth outcomes by increasing access to prenatal education and community, and empowering women to take an active role in their prenatal care. The model of care is based on a body of research that revealed that both infant and mother benefit when women make informed health choices health during the childbearing year, as well as understand what will happen to their bodies in the birth room, during the postpartum period and in the years to follow.

 Coordinated by a program facilitator and five Certified Nurse Midwives, CenteringPregnancy at Mid Coast brings together groups of expectant mothers due in the same month along with their partner or one support person, it may be their first or fourth child, creating a dynamic atmosphere for learning and sharing. In this group setting, there is more time for women and families to explore the issues that impact their health and the health of their infants. The results provide excellent preparation for labor, birth and infant care, as well as creating community, resources, and support. Clinically, this model of pregnancy care has shown a decrease in cesarean section rates and the occurrence of premature births.

“We are very proud to have achieved this certification. It required a great deal of preparation and work by our maternity care and midwifery service staff. We are thrilled to be able to offer this service to our community,” stated Aoife O’Brien, Certified Nurse Midwife. “It meets all of our Triple Aim goals for health care improvement including enhancing the patient experience and quality of care, improving health outcomes, and reducing the per capita cost of healthcare.”

For more information about CenteringPregnancy, Mid Coast Hospital Maternity Care, or to tour the facility visit www.midcoasthealth.com/maternity<http://www.midcoasthealth.com/maternity> or call 207-373-6500.