participating moms, dads, and babies. The program’s first patient, Sarah Santibanez, was
also present (standing second from left). Staff members joining in are Patient Care
Technician Kendra Warner and certified nurse-midwives Tracy Trenhaile-Sellers, Debra
Knipe, and Susan Storry.
Smiling moms and bouncing babies gathered recently to celebrate the first year of the Life Shines Bright Pregnancy Program at Methodist Charlton Medical Center. Included in the group was the first patient, Sarah Santibanez.
Recognized as the first significant innovation in prenatal care in more than a century, this preterm birth prevention program is setting a new gold standard for prenatal care and group education. The program is the only one of its kind in the Best Southwest area of southern Dallas County.
Through group prenatal classes, certified nurse-midwives monitor the mothers’ progress over 10 class visits, and young mothers have opportunities for education, support, and networking with other moms-to-be. Throughout pregnancy and early postpartum, moms-to-be spend two hours with their health care provider during each of the 10 class visits. During each visit they weigh themselves; take their own blood pressure; and participate in group discussions about self-care, infant care, pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Prenatal care is provided by certified nurse midwives.
The goal of LSB is to reduce soaring prematurity rates and their potentially tragic and lifelong impact on individuals, families, health care providers, and society at large. Preterm birth is tragic, costly, and preventable, and there is a growing national epidemic of babies being born too soon and too small. Preterm birth and low birth weight are among the leading causes of infant death, and low birth weight infants are at much greater risk of dying before their first birthday.
For more information on the innovative Life Shines Bright Pregnancy Program, call 214-947-5999.
