Pregnancy is no time to go it alone—with every twinge and symptom you want to ask ‘is this normal?’
Centering Pregnancy delivers 1-on-1 prenatal care with group education, discussion and support—how cool is that? Centering Pregnancy was developed by nurse-midwife Sharon Schindler, and it’s proving to reduce preterm birth risks and boost infant birth weights. Parents found the prenatal model so popular Centering Parent has emerged to support new moms and families up to baby’s 1st birthday.
For each of your 14 or so prenatal appointments you meet privately with your pregnancy care provider and then you join a group of 8-12 women with similar due dates to go through pregnancy together. You can raise questions privately with your provider, in the group, or both. Hot topics like nutrition, your baby’s development, pregnancy discomforts, exercise, relaxation, labor, parenting, contraception and infant care naturally arise.
If complications occur with your pregnancy, you meet individually with your provider for additional care and you continue to meet with the group until you go into labor. Your partner can join in too. It’s no surprise many Centering moms gather together on their own after their babies are born for support and baby playtime. Find a Centering Pregnancy group near you at www.centeringhealthcare.org.
Avoid a 1st Cesarean by Laboring Longer
Avoid cesarean birth unless medically needed, say experts at the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG), particularly with first births. With 1 in 3 births via cesarean—up 60% since 1996—experts are trying to reduce overall cesarean rates in the U.S.
“Most women who have had a cesarean with their first baby end up having repeat cesarean deliveries for subsequent babies; this is what we’re trying to avoid,” said Aaron Caughey, MD, a member of the ACOG obstetric practice committee.
Cesarean can be life-saving for a baby or mother in need, but ACOG’s updated advice underscores that when all is healthy, you should:
• Avoid inducing labor or choosing cesarean without medical need
• Wait for labor to start on its own
• Labor longer, as needed, before pushing
• Be given more time for pushing, if needed, during labor
When Is My Baby Most Likely to Be Born?
40-41 Weeks
Most babies are born to first-time moms 4-8 days past their due date when mom waits for labor to start on its own and births vaginally. The most common gestational birthday in subsequent pregnancies when mom waits for spontaneous labor and has normal birth is 2-3 days after baby’s due date.
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