673d MDG Women’s Health clinic updates prenatal care

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Javier Alvarez
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The 673d Medical Group’s Women’s Health Flight will soon host a new group prenatal care program, Centering Pregnancy later this month.

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson will be the first Air Force installation to offer a formal program, which is not a class, but rather a new way for expecting mothers to attend their prenatal care appointments, said Heidi Walker, a Centering Pregnancy trainer and an OB-GYN nurse at Camp Lejeune Navy Hospital who is at JBER training the 673d MDG personnel. Up to 10 soon-to-be mothers in the same stage of pregnancy meet for 10 prescheduled, two-hour appointments with the same medical professionals. The program offers a health assessment, education and community support, all in one.

“I think the biggest complaint I get as a flight commander is a customer wanting to see the same provider for every visit,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Anne Gray, 673d Medical Group women’s health flight commander. “Centering provides that opportunity. And not only that, but you know when all your appointments are scheduled for your whole pregnancy.”

A traditional prenatal care appointment lasts 20 minutes, and often the patient is seen by a different medical professional each time, Gray said. After a patient’s vitals are taken, there can be as few as 10 minutes for patients to voice their concerns and have their questions answered by a health professional.

In centering, all sessions begin with a health assessment, Walker said. Patients are taught to read and interpret their weight and heart rate, allowing them to be actively engaged in their healthcare.

Tummy time, also part of the health assessment, allows patients to meet with their doctor for a private five-minute check-up.

Despite the group environment, caregivers stressed, a patient’s privacy is protected just as it would be anywhere else in the clinic.

Following the health assessment, patients form a circle and participate in discussions and interactive activities with the providers designed to address topics pertinent to the group’s stage of pregnancy.

Topics covered in centering range from infant care, stress management, labor and delivery, and breastfeeding, to name a few.

Walker, a native of central Pennsylvania, was an active-duty service member stationed at Guam when she gave birth to her first child.

“I was 22 years old [at the time] and my mother would have never gotten on a plane to fly the 18 hours ... even though her first grandchild was being born,” Walker said. “And [aside from my husband] I was by myself ... I felt like I wasn’t supposed to be there because I was an active duty member, I was pregnant, I was so young, out of place, and awkward.”

Pregnant service members and spouses at JBER might also feel the social and geographic isolation, stationed far from their extended family.

“I think part of the reason I like the [program] so much is because I don’t have anybody up here except my husband,” said Monica Poulsen, a soon-to-be mother at JBER. “We’ve been here less than a year and my closest friend doesn’t have kids, and [has] no intention of having kids. It’s nice to be around people going through the same thing. They’re up here away from their families and expecting their first child also. And it gets me a lot more time to ask questions and get information from the providers.”

Meeting with a group of strangers can be an awkward experience for some, and the medical group staff understands.

“All we ask is for people to give us two visits,” Gray said. “Give it a shot! We are sure you will love the opportunity for specialized care and more time with your provider.”

For more information on Centering contact the Women’s Health clinic at 907-580-5809; for general information, call 907-580-5808.