Impact of CenteringPregnancy
Mentor 1
Teresa Johnson
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
27-4-2018 1:00 PM
Description
In 2016 Wisconsin’s infant mortality rate was higher than the United States average. In 2011-2013, Racine, an urban community located in Wisconsin, had one of the highest infant mortality rates for Black infants in the state. The Black infant mortality rate in the county was 3x the national average. In response to this, a community-wide effort was made to reduce prematurity and infant mortality of Black infants. The purpose of this project is to increase breastfeeding initiation rates and decrease premature births, which is the leading cause of infant mortality, to improve outcomes in this community. The CenteringPregnancy model has strong theoretical underpinnings. The life course theory is used to explore the impact that group model intervention has on reducing risks of infant mortality through promotion of healthy birth outcomes through education and support among pregnant and parenting women and their families. CenteringPregnancy is a group model of prenatal care that teaches women the basics of taking their own blood pressures, weight, and recording the findings. After individual examinations, participants engage in group discussions of a wide range of pregnancy, childbearing, and parenting topics. Providing support for at risk women to exclusively breastfeed their infants in the context of complex lives and work environments is a way to help reduce infant mortality among at-risk populations. The breastfeeding initiation rate increased to 89.5%. Changes in study participants knowledge about pregnancy significantly changed in a positive direction. There have also been significant decreases in premature and low birth weight babies. Comparing CenteringPregnancy site specific results through well-formulated and rigorously conducted research are essential to develop this body of knowledge for multiple populations and communities.
Impact of CenteringPregnancy
Union Wisconsin Room
In 2016 Wisconsin’s infant mortality rate was higher than the United States average. In 2011-2013, Racine, an urban community located in Wisconsin, had one of the highest infant mortality rates for Black infants in the state. The Black infant mortality rate in the county was 3x the national average. In response to this, a community-wide effort was made to reduce prematurity and infant mortality of Black infants. The purpose of this project is to increase breastfeeding initiation rates and decrease premature births, which is the leading cause of infant mortality, to improve outcomes in this community. The CenteringPregnancy model has strong theoretical underpinnings. The life course theory is used to explore the impact that group model intervention has on reducing risks of infant mortality through promotion of healthy birth outcomes through education and support among pregnant and parenting women and their families. CenteringPregnancy is a group model of prenatal care that teaches women the basics of taking their own blood pressures, weight, and recording the findings. After individual examinations, participants engage in group discussions of a wide range of pregnancy, childbearing, and parenting topics. Providing support for at risk women to exclusively breastfeed their infants in the context of complex lives and work environments is a way to help reduce infant mortality among at-risk populations. The breastfeeding initiation rate increased to 89.5%. Changes in study participants knowledge about pregnancy significantly changed in a positive direction. There have also been significant decreases in premature and low birth weight babies. Comparing CenteringPregnancy site specific results through well-formulated and rigorously conducted research are essential to develop this body of knowledge for multiple populations and communities.
