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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder added to Aultman’s ‘Centering’ Pregnancy Program

June 06, 2012

CANTON, Ohio (June 6, 2012) – The Stark County Anti-Drug Coalition is teaming up with the Aultman Physician Center to educate expectant mothers about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and about the importance of being alcohol-free during pregnancy.

The FASD education will be the newest addition to the Centering program at the Aultman Physician Center’s OB/GYN Clinic. The clinic was approved as a Centering site several years ago, by the Centering Healthcare Institute (CHI) with a primary goal to decrease preterm births, which is a strain on the baby’s development and the health care system at large.

Hundreds of local mothers have participated in the Centering program over the last eight years. In fact, more than 600 underinsured, young moms-to-be have completed the little-known program, which makes a big impact.

Centering is a prenatal program offering prenatal checkups, education and group support for expectant mothers. It allows them to better understand prenatal care and take a more active role in their prenatal care.

Centering follows a traditional prenatal-care schedule, initially meeting monthly and then convening more frequently as due dates approach The expectant mothers spend two hours with their caregivers and eight to 12 women with similar due dates. An advanced practice nurse or resident physician leads each Centering group and performs the checkups, while a woman’s health registered nurse facilitates the educational activities.

Fathers and support persons, such as a sister, aunt or mother, are welcome to attend the Centering group sessions. To find learn more about this program, contact Aultman Physician Center’s OB/GYN clinic at 330-363-6235.