Tag Archives: Centering Pregnancy

Centering Pregnancy Program Testimonial

Posted on by

If I had to describe the Centering Pregnancy program in two words, they would definitely be professionalism and compassion.

I must admit that when Angela Correa, the coordinator of Centering Prenatal Care, first called me to tell me about the Centering Pregnancy program, I was a little unsure about joining the group. However, with just one simple phone call, she made me feel welcome and, most importantly, truly embraced in what would later become my favorite moment of the week.

Thank you, Angela, for your smile, for always being attentive and willing to help, for being part of every session, for sharing your experiences, and for listening to me with so much patience. You are truly an angel from God!

During one of the first sessions, I had the opportunity to meet the wonderful Ingrid Defreitas, RPA-C, and since then, I have not stopped appreciating her.

From day one, I could see that she is an excellent professional, fully dedicated to her work, her patients, and her values. She made each class a unique experience. She made me feel heard and valued, and with her joyful personality, she made every session worthwhile. In addition to being highly professional in examining both me and my baby, she was always clear, informative, and direct in her explanations.

I would recommend Ingrid to every future mom who has the opportunity to attend Centering. She makes Centering a fun, welcoming space filled with valuable information. Thank you, Ingrid, for all your kindness during these past months, for accompanying me through this journey with my baby growing inside me. May God always bless you!

Another person I would like to thank is the lactation specialist, Jimena Grimaldi. She is an excellent professional and a wonderful person. She was always willing to answer each of my questions and concerns. In every word she speaks, you can feel the kindness and warmth of the person she is. Thank you so much, Jimena!

Last but certainly not least, I would like to deeply thank Maria Smilios, Director of Nursing – Maternal and Child Services, for making this experience possible and for visiting us from time to time during our sessions to make sure we were doing well. 

Thanks to all these wonderful women, I am much more prepared because of everything they have taught me and shared with me.

I feel it is very important to share my experience so that this space can reach more moms who may still be unsure about joining. Believe me, being part of Centering made the journey of carrying my pregnancy so much lighter. It is a space where no one judges, where experiences are shared, where there is so much valuable information, laughter, and even a few tears—but you are surrounded by people who are going through the same thing or something similar, and that makes the journey feel much less heavy.

Thank you for everything, ladies!

With much love and gratitude,
Ana Laura Aguilar

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Centering Pregnancy at Flushing Hospital

Posted on by

Flushing Hospital Medical Center is committed to providing the best possible prenatal care to our patients. That is why we are offering Centering Pregnancy to our expectant parents. 

Centering Pregnancy is an innovative prenatal model designed to promote the overall health and well-being of the mother and baby. Unlike traditional one-on-one prenatal visits, this approach incorporates small-group sessions for medical care, education, and emotional support, fostering meaningful relationships between participants and clinicians. 

After an initial private visit with a provider, participants in the centering pregnancy program, all of whom are in similar stages of their pregnancy, meet in a small group setting for their prenatal appointments. Here, participants share with and learn from each other during the course of their pregnancy. Each of the ten-centering prenatal care group sessions is approximately 90 minutes long. This group dynamic gives each of the participants the advantage of having more time with their provider. 

At the beginning of the session, our facilitator will guide each patient to get weighed, have their blood pressure checked, and record their values for the provider to review. The provider will listen to the baby’s heartbeat and review the pertinent patient-specific information. After this information is collected, the 8-12 participants will form a circle and begin the fun and interactive educational session. 

Some of the topics covered in these sessions, designed to promote health and well-being during the pregnancy and postpartum period, include: 

  • The progression of their pregnancy 
  • Relaxation techniques 
  • Common discomforts and how to resolve them 
  • Nutrition during pregnancy 
  • What to expect during labor and delivery 
  • Newborn feeding, including breastfeeding 
  • Newborn care 

Games are played to help the learning process and to assist in building friendships between the participants. After the educational session, there is a question-and-answer period. 

Expectant mothers are actively involved in their care as they share similar experiences with women during the same stage of pregnancy. Moms and providers can relax and get to know each other. Many long-lasting friendships are formed from being involved in Centering Pregnancy. 

Studies show that women who participate in Centering Pregnancy programs tend to experience: 

  • Fewer preterm births (33 percent fewer, according to some research) 
  • Lower rates of emergency C-sections 
  • Higher rates of breastfeeding 
  • Better engagement in their own health 
  • Improved spacing between pregnancies 
  • Better well-child visit attendance and immunization rates 
  • Lower rates of postpartum depression 
  • Dramatically reduced racial disparities in preterm birth, especially among African American women 

“The Centering Pregnancy has proven to be overwhelmingly positive, with participants expressing satisfaction with the group setting and the support they receive. Expectant women learn together, feel less isolated, and share their questions and experiences. Empowering women and allaying fears throughout pregnancy and after birth has been a benefit of Centering Pregnancy,” said Maria DeMarinis Smilios, MSN, CNS, RNC, IBCLC, Director of Nursing-Maternal & Child Services and Ambulatory Care 

These are the many benefits of Centering Pregnancy compared to traditional care. There is no extra charge for this type of prenatal care when compared to traditional prenatal care. 

For more information and to schedule for Centering Pregnancy, call 718 670-8992. 

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.