Hospital develops pregnancy wellness program

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Mike Chillstrom
  • 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  A new program at Wilford Hall Medical Center here teaches expectant mothers about the effects of stress on the mind and body during and after pregnancy.

The pregnancy wellness program is a joint project between specialists in the clinical-health psychology and the obstetrics and gynecology departments.

Psychologists will teach classes about emotional and psychological issues; nutritionists and exercise physiologists will teach about health, fitness and body image; and OB/GYN practitioners will present information about physical changes during pregnancy.

“The idea is that we’re working together,” said Capt. Amanda Hitchings, a clinical psychology resident. “Clinical health psychology has been pretty predominant in areas like pain management, pulmonary rehab and oncology, but getting into women’s health is really a new movement here.”

Women take part in classes that focus on self-management, such as the importance of self-nurturing, positive thinking, problem solving and assertive communication. Other topics include relaxation training, exploring fears of childbirth, birth planning and postpartum planning for the mother.

By learning about how they cope with the transition to motherhood, women can better manage major life changes, officials said.

“Pregnancy naturally is a stressful event,” Captain Hitchings said. “Recent trends in research show that how we respond to these positive or negative stressors during pregnancy may (affect) maternal and fetal outcomes. We believe that anybody who is pregnant can benefit from the tools to take care of themselves.”

Adverse outcomes related to prenatal stress and lack of social support include preterm delivery, low birth weight, birthing complications, developmental problems and postpartum depression, officials said.

“I think the pregnancy wellness program can be a big benefit to our patients,” said Maj. Darlene Foley, OB/GYN flight commander. “Women will be better able to care for themselves emotionally by using the coping mechanisms we teach them.”

Classes will run in continuous eight-week cycles, and both active-duty and spouse mothers in their second trimester can participate. (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)