February 26, 2010

Centuring?

Has anyone ever heard of this? Everything about babies and pregnancy is clearly new to me, but I had definitely never heard of centuring before... but I am VERY excited about it. Excited enough to dedicate a whole post to it!

I got a call from the hospital yesterday asking if I wanted to take part of this. I asked a TON of questions, so I'll try to describe it as briefly as possible.

Basically, instead of going in for your monthly/bi-weekly/weekly appointments, signing in at the front desk, and meeting with a doctor that has very little time or patience to sit with you and go over all of your questions, you instead meet with the centuring director, a midwife (the same one every time), and a group of other women. Skeptical? I was too at this point. Here's where I flooded the poor lady with questions.

No, you do not have to spread eagle or even weigh yourself in front of a bunch of other preggies. Everyone still gets some one on one time with the midwife. These appointments will each last around 1.5 to 2 hours... so what do we do in the meantime you ask? At each visit there will be food and music played while everyone else is getting their midwife time. *can I go first please so I can eat AFTER I've been weighed? Thanks* After everyone is done, there is also a guest speaker each time. For example, the first time a nutritionist, the second time a masseuse.. with her massage table! Sold! She assured me that I'd get much more personal time (if you still have questions afterwards, the midwife will take you to her office), it's a great way to make some friends, and just know a group of girls that are right along with your in your pregnancy. She says they even throw showers for the girls a lot of the times.

By the end of the conversation, I already felt like I met a new lifelong friend. I told her I would love to be a part of it, but that we were moving in May and asked if that would affect anything. I told her where we were going, and small world, that where she just moved here from. She knows the whole L&D dept. in my new home town, said she would have me all prepared to go when the time comes, with a little notebook filled with all my info and extra copies of my charts, and would have an appointment sent up for me in new town before I even get there.. tour of L&D included! They have a centuring group there as well so I'll be able to continue.

Best of all, my next appointment was moved up by a week! So instead of going in on the 11th (to have screenings and schedule my ultrasound) I'm now going in for my first centuring experience on the 4th! Yes, less than a week.

I think this is going to be a great experience! I understand that this definitely wouldn't be every one's cup of tea, but it's right up my alley. Stay tuned a week from today to see how I really feel about it. And to *keep your fingers crossed* find out when the ultrasound will be! Which translates to knowing when we'll find out if this little munchkin is a he or she!

14 comments:

Stephanie Hartman said...

Aw this is a wonderful idea and that is awesome that they will have one in your new town I bet your super excited about it..

BSS said...

What a great find, I hope you have a wonderful time with it! :)

Unknown said...

Good luck!!! This sounds very fascinating and new!

Allison said...

That sounds like a great idea. I've never heard of that.

My first thought is this way you'll get to hear the answers to questions other moms to be have that you didn't think to ask. Pretty cool.

Expat Girl said...

I've never heard of that but it sounds like a good idea, I hope it works out for you : )

Shayla said...

Ive NEVER heard of that,but it sounds FABULOUS!!! when I get pregnant I soooo wanna do that!!!!


thanks for leaving some love yesterday- i sure needed it!!!!

JG said...

Wait, do I know where you're moving? Or did you say that and I just missed it somewhere?

Sounds like a good fit. You'll definitely have to let us know how you like it!

Shelze said...

I have never heard of centuring before, but it sounds rather exciting. Sounds like it will make you feel like you are more of a part of something and less alone. Where are you moving to? I hope your new centuring group will be as welcoming as the one you will get to meet soon.

Carrie said...

Wow. I'd never heard of anything like that, but it sounds amazing. I mean, I'd have been sold at "free food." Lol. ;) I hope it's as great as it seems! Keep us posted.

Mary said...

That sounds wicked fun!! Enjoy!

Michelle A'etonu said...

they have classes like this here in El Paso and I would love to go, but my work schedule makes it impossible for me to do anything like this during the day. if they did it on weekends, it'd be great. aren't you moving here this summer? maybe you can transfer to the program here!

One Day at a Time said...

sounds great!! Let us know how it goes :)

Julie Danielle said...

That sounds like a lot of fun :)

Juliana said...

That sounds like a great idea! I had a very complicated pregnancy so I needed to see my doctor at least once a week but otherwise I would have LOVED to do something like that!!! I just came to your blog tonight, who designed it? It is wonderful!!!

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