Terry Wootten, Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) for CMH Women’s Health Services, is pictured receiving a $500.00 check from Raymond F. Walker, Commander of the American Legion Post 79, to benefit the CenteringPregnancy® and Childbirth Education Programs that are provided by VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital.  The money donated will help to pay for the instructor of childbirth education classes that are offered to members of the community for free as well as materials needed for the CenteringPregnancy program.

In CenteringPregnancy, pregnant women with similar due dates join together in a group with their health care provider. They receive all the components of prenatal care, including health assessment, interactive learning and community building. There is facilitated discussion of pregnancy, birth and newborn care as well as overall health and stress management.

At no charge to participants, childbirth education classes give expecting mothers the opportunity to learn about the following:  signs and stages of labor; relaxation and breathing techniques; labor and delivery options; tips to prepare you for your return home with baby; benefits and management of breastfeeding; baby feeding cues and signs of hunger; early skin-to-skin contact; safety and daily care activities (feeding, changing, dressing and bathing).

If you are interested to learn more about CenteringPregnancy or childbirth education classes offered at VCU Health CMH, please call (434) 447-7765.