Courtesy photo CenteringPregnancy launches in Alpena, offering shared support, education and one-on-one visits for expectant parents.

ALPENA – Pregnant patients have a new option for prenatal care in northeast Michigan. MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena and Alcona Health Center are partnering in The CenteringPregnancy program, which will bring together a group of eight to 10 pregnant patients who are all due around the same time, providing routine prenatal care in a group setting.

The CenteringPregnancy program consists of 10 sessions, beginning around the start of a patient’s second trimester. At each session, the patient has time for a one-on-one visit with their doctor for a belly check and discussion of any private concerns. The remaining time is spent in a group setting discussing issues relevant to participants, such as nutrition, exercise, stress, signs of labor, breastfeeding, infant care and postpartum health, among other topics.

“The goal of CenteringPregnancy is to empower women to get involved in their own care, while also equipping them with knowledge and skills to make healthy decisions throughout their pregnancy,” said Mike Erickson, market president, MyMichigan Medical Centers in Alpena, Saginaw, Standish, Tawas and Towne Centre. “Patients are able to spend more time with their provider, and form relationships with other parents who are experiencing the similar feelings that they are, during an exciting but stressful time of their lives.”

MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena is the first in the region to offer this program for its patients. All sessions will take place at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena on the second floor, Unit 2 Central. CenteringPregnancy providers include Hasan Basheera, M.D., family medicine, with a fellowship in obstetrics & gynecology, of Alcona Health Center, and Brenda Mattish, C.M.A., certified medical assistant of MyMichigan Obstetrics & Gynecology in Alpena.

“This is an exciting time for expectant parents, and the CenteringPregnancy program provides a great opportunity for them to gain support not only from their providers, but also from others in the group,” said Dr. Basheera. “This is a great way to build new friendships and connections with others who may have similar needs during and after pregnancy. We hope to build a supportive network for parents – a safe environment where they can learn from one another and work toward their health goals.”

Funding for the program is provided by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund.

Those who are interested in enrolling in the program may call the MyMichigan Obstetrics & Gynecology office at (989) 356-5228 or visit www.mymichigan.org/centeringpregnancy