Innovative pregnancy group reduces pre-term births
By Wendy Rigby
November 17, 2009
KENS5.com

Premature births continue to affect half a million babies in the U-S every year. And rates are rising, from 8% in 1980 to 13% today.

Now, the March of Dimes is hailing a new approach to preventing this health crisis.

At Wilford Hall Medical Center, expectant mothers whose babies are due about the same time meet to monitor their progress and discuss their concerns. It’s an innovative program called “Centering Pregnancy,” putting a new twist on prenatal care.

“Women who are alone or have a feeling of being alone are at much greater risk for having problems in their pregnancy than women who are in a nurturing environment,” said Dr. Donald Dudley, an OB/GYN with the U.T. Health Science Center who also works with the March of Dimes. ...