....January 24, 10:14 AM
	Group Care Delivered To Flushing By By Liz Skalka A new prenatal care program at Flushing Hospital Medical Center involving group sessions for expectant mothers is the only one of its kind in the borough and, according to doctors, is proven to reduce the risks of premature births and pregnancy complications. The “Centering Pregnancy Program” replaces traditional solo checkups with two-hour-long group sessions at which moms-to-be take their own weight, blood pressure and estimate how far along they are in their pregnancy. The group facilitator, generally a midwife or doctor, listens to the baby’s heart, checks for uterine growth and talks about concerns a patient may have. The program is also part of a multi-site Yale University study examining the effects of the centering method on the occurrence of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases in women ages 14 to 21 both during and following pregnancy. Therefore, the centering sessions include discussion of these issues. The first group of participants, women with due dates in May, began the 10-session program Dec. 4 and met for the second time Jan. 8. The sessions, which include eight to 12 expectant mothers, begin monthly and become more frequent as the women near their due dates. There are currently four centering groups at Flushing Hospital, with the goal of creating two additional groups in coming months. Joan Hughes, a registered nurse, midwife and facilitator for the groups, said each session focuses on teaching the mothers about a different topic, such as nutrition, through discussion and games. “Instead of spending a lot of time waiting (for doctors),” Hughes said, “they’re learning from each other about whatever the topic at hand is.” Hughes pointed out that the centering method was created in the early 1990s and is used in hospitals across the country. The Centeringpregnancy.com Web site indicates the method is a way to empower women to take control of their pregnancies and can be used to foster bonds between pregnant women. Hughes noted that it’s especially helpful for young pregnant women. “I definitely think it’s beneficial for any age,” she said, “but especially the young girls who can feel really isolated and different from their peers.” Angelica Gomez, 18, is expecting her first child in May and said the group helps her be less nervous about impending childbirth and motherhood through interacting with other mothers. “I actually feel more comfortable because I get to meet other girls who are pregnant,” she said. “We’re each able to express how we feel and how the pregnancy’s going.” Gomez prefers the group sessions to individual doctor visits. “I feel if I went all by myself without being in the group I would feel nervous,” she said. “How that I’m in a group it makes me feel less scared.” The centering program is open to all women. For more information, contact Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Women’s Health Unit at (718) 670-8994.