The Institute’s Prenatal Care Group, CenteringPregnancy,® Receives Gold Standard, Site Approval from the Centering Healthcare Institute

Kingston, NY (January 14, 2015) – The Institute for Family Health’s CenteringPregnancy® prenatal care group – a popular prenatal service offered at the Institute’s Ob/Gyn and Specialty Care Center of Kingston and Kingston Family Health Center – has received “Gold Standard” site approval from the Centering Healthcare Institute. This prestigious, official recognition is only given to organizations who demonstrate fidelity to the Centering model of care, meet all 13 of the model’s essential elements and assure the highest quality services to patients.

“We are excited to be the only health care provider to offer CenteringPregnancy® groups to families in Ulster County, said Dr. Megan McMullan, director, Maternal Child Health Services and Institute family physician who facilitates some of the groups. “Women in our groups are more confident and empowered as they approach labor, delivery and early parenthood.”

CenteringPregnancy® takes women out of the exam room and brings them into groups for their prenatal care. It is an alternative form of care in which women receive all the necessary medical assessments, educational tools as well as social support during 2-hour sessions that are facilitated by physicians from the practice.  Furthermore, research has shown that women in Centering groups are more likely to have healthy babies.

“When you have questions, there are other moms there, too, that can answer in their point of view. The group is more open to ideas and ways of parenting. The group answered my questions better than a regular doctor’s visit because I didn’t have to be afraid to ask any questions and all my questions got answered. Everyone was very helpful,” says Sacha Wright of Kingston, who attends CenteringPregnancy®  group sessions at the Ob/Gyn and Specialty Care Center.

Expecting mothers interested in joining a CenteringPregnancy® group should call Abigail Tierney at 845-338-8444 ext.3402 or email ATierney@institute.org.