Healthier births start here: Join Providence Everett CenteringPregnancy

Experience the Best in Maternity Care with Providence Everett's CenteringPregnancy Program

In this article:

• • • Providence Swedish offers a host of resources for birthing parents and their families, including classes, doula and midwife support and breast/chest feeding support. 
    • CenteringPregnancy is revolutionizing prenatal care, offering support in a group setting. Participants are all due to have their babies in the same month. 
    • CenteringPregnancy participants have lower rates of pre-term labor, low birth weight babies and complications with breast/chest feeding.
    • Classes are hosted by Providence’s Midwifery team at the Pavilion for Women and Children; ranked “High Performing” in Maternity by U.S. News and World Report.
    • Watch these short videos to learn more. 

Welcoming a new baby is an incredibly exciting and emotional journey, especially for first-time parents. At Providence Everett’s Pavilion for Women and Children, we understand the anticipation, joy, and sometimes anxiety that come with this life-changing experience. Providence Swedish delivers more babies than any hospital in Western Washington. Every caregiver is committed to helping parents and families have the healthiest pregnancy and best birthing experience possible.

We offer many resources for birthing people and their families, including classes, midwife and doula support, and support for breastfeeding and chest feeding. One program available to families is CenteringPregnancy, a unique prenatal care model that offers midwifery support in a group setting. Our CenteringPregnancy program is designed to support you every step of the way. Certified Nurse Midwife Jamie Crompton and some Providence Everett CenteringPregnancy class participants offer insights into CenteringPregnancy and midwifery services at Providence Swedish. Watch the short videos below to learn more.

What is CenteringPregnancy?

Ever hear the African proverb, “it takes a village to raise a child?” The proverb means that raising children requires the support and involvement of many people, such as family, neighbors, and community members. It highlights the benefits of diverse guidance, skills, and experiences for a child's growth and well-being. CenteringPregnancy provides expectant parents a village through their pregnancy journey.

CenteringPregnancy groups consisting of birthing parents from diverse ages, races, and socio-economic backgrounds find these differences become less significant as they share the experiences of pregnancy, birth, and family care. Many continue with family-centered well-child care through the child’s first two years through the centering program.

What you can expect

CenteringPregnancy gathers 8-10 birthing parents who are delivering babies around the same time for their prenatal care. This approach enables both the birthing parents and medical care team to relax and build deeper, more meaningful relationships. Participants in the group often form lasting friendships and connect in ways that traditional care does not offer. 

These classes follow the recommended schedule of 10 prenatal visits, with each visit lasting 90 minutes to two hours. This structure provides birthing parents more time with their midwife during their pregnancy. During each session, participants take an active role in their care by measuring and recording their own weight and blood pressure readings. There's also one-on-one time with their midwife for essential belly checks.

With health checks completed, the CenteringPregnancy class gathers for a group discussion led by Providence certified nurse midwives. These sessions are interactive and cover important health topics like nutrition, stress management, labor and delivery, breastfeeding, and infant care. The discussions are tailored to what matters most to the group, ensuring everyone is prepared and supported throughout their pregnancy journey.

Benefits of CenteringPregnancy classes

One of the key reasons CenteringPregnancy classes are so cherished by expectant families is the unique combination of personal connections and comprehensive care they offer. Unlike traditional prenatal visits, these classes provide an extended, engaging, and interactive environment where expectant families can form valuable bonds and receive thorough support. 

Why CenteringPregnancy at Providence Everett?

In Snohomish County, CenteringPregnancy classes are exclusively held at Providence’s Pavilion for Women and Children.

• • • •        Providence Everett was recently ranked as “High Performing in Maternity by U.S. News & World Report.
      •        Our dedicated midwives are here to provide personalized care tailored to your needs.
      •        Providence’s unique group prenatal care model offers a supportive community of other expectant parents, as well as access to essential resources and expert guidance.
      •        Providence Everett is part of Providence Swedish family of organizations, which delivers more babies than any hospital system in Western Washington.

Parents who participate in CenteringPregnancy classes report more satisfactory birthing experiences. This is attributed to two main factors:

1. Extended Interaction: Parents receive more time with their midwives during each visit, allowing for thorough discussions, personalized care, and the opportunity to address any concerns in detail.

2. Community Support: The group setting fosters a sense of community and shared experience, where parents can form lasting friendships and support networks, making them feel less isolated and more supported throughout their pregnancy and beyond.

These factors enhance the overall birth experience and contribute to better health outcomes for both mothers and babies.

Join CenteringPregnancy Classes

Exceptional Maternity Care

 Providence Everett’s recognition for outstanding maternity care services include specialized care for high-risk pregnancies and state-of-the-art neonatal intensive care units. Our hospital also boasts one of the lowest C-section rates in the state and the lowest newborn complication rates. 

Additionally:

• Our rate of vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC) surpasses the state average.
• Providence Everett’s episiotomy rate is less than 5%.
• We are recognized as Birthing-Friendly for demonstrating a commitment to improving patient safety practices to improve maternal outcomes.

These achievements reflect our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of both mothers and babies. To learn more, visit U.S. News & World Report’s complete rankings of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.

Find a physician

If you need a gynecologist, women's health specialist or primary care doctor, Providence Swedish is here for you. Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, you have options. Providence Virtual Care connects you face-to-face with a nurse practitioner who can review your symptoms, provide instruction, and follow up as needed. If you need to find a doctor, use our physician directory.

Information for patients and visitors

Related resources

Healthy mom, healthy baby: Supporting new moms and babies on their breastfeeding journey

World-class birth experience for mom and baby

5 myths about midwives—busted!

Midwives and doulas working together to create your birth dream team 

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.

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