Health care comes in all forms at Alameda Health System (AHS), and for patients who receive perinatal care in AHS’ Centering Programs, it comes in the form of music.
AHS has partnered with Noe Music and Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute to offer the Lullaby Project to perinatal care patients, who work with local musicians to write lullabies for their newborns.
Singing lullabies is not just great for child-parent bonding, but can also help improve parents’ mental health as they navigate both the physical and psychological challenges of childbirth. Patients say the project, which is offered in both English and Spanish, has been life-changing.
“I never imagined I would have a memory like this. I honestly think it is one of the best gifts I can leave for him when I am not here. My words will be there forever,” said AHS patient Jessy.
“It’s amazing when you can experience in real time something that research has shown to be true: that Centering, singing, and lullabies can all have a positive impact on mental health and bonding,” said Devorah Cohen Roisman, certified nurse midwife and Centering Pregnancy clinical director at Alameda Health System.
Centering Pregnancy is a group perinatal care service for cohorts of birthing people and families who are expecting around the same time. Centering groups are a midwife-led model of care that integrates perinatal medical care with social services, interactive learning, and community building.
Alameda Health System offers culturally congruent Centering cohorts including Spanish-language Centering and Beloved Birth Black Centering. Studies show that Centering reduces rates of babies born too soon and too small, and Centering has been shown to reduce racism-based disparities in maternal health outcomes.
“Pregnant parents who receive their perinatal care at Alameda Health System can expect comprehensive, wraparound services and whole-person programming that enriches their pregnancy journey from start to finish,” said AHS CEO James Jackson. “We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality of care, while also creating cultural spaces where our patients feel heard, empowered and respected.”