In October 2007, Summa Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital began offering Centering Pregnancy, an innovative approach to health care for pregnant women and their families. The Summa Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital Women’s Center care providers, Bob Bowden, D.O.; Marjorie DeMund, M.D.; Sue Hudson, C.N.M.; and Julie Kellon, C.N.M. are proud to be collaborating to bring Centering Pregnancy to Medina County.

The goal of Centering Pregnancy is to help mothers take ownership of their pregnancy and to make informed choices. Participants follow the typical prenatal appointment schedule and meet with care providers and other pregnant women to engage in self-care assessment, educational activities and group discussion. The Centering Pregnancy approach has led to a decrease in the incidence of low birth weight and premature babies. In addition, pregnant women have reported feeling more confident about caring for themselves and their infants.

Centering Pregnancy is an excellent choice for all women. It is also particularly helpful for pregnant women who are considered “at risk” due to poverty, youth or lack of education, all of which create barriers to healthy pregnancies and parenting. Recently the Green Journal published research that demonstrates that group prenatal care reduces preterm births, enhances psychosocial outcomes and increases breastfeeding initiation at no added cost. The abstract can be viewed at: http://www.greenjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/110/2/330

The Summa Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital Centering Pregnancy program is one of only 4 in Ohio and less than 100 nationally. Summa Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital will collaborate with area high schools and other community agencies for referrals and other resources.

For questions regarding Centering Pregnancy please contact Kelli Viscounte at 330-331-1340 or kviscounte@wrhhs.org.

The Summa Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital Centering Pregnancy program is supported with the generous contributions of the Ohio Hospital Association, The Medina County Women’s Endowment Fund, The Wadsworth Blue Tip Festival and Westfield Insurance.