Centering Pregnancy-A Model of Group Prenatal Care . The midwives at Family Nurse Midwives are continually searching for ways to optimize the delivery of prenatal care to provide the best possible outcomes for mothers and babies. In line with this search, we are considering launching a new pilot program. The goal of this program is to fully address the complex psycho-social needs of the mother and her family as well as the concerns for a the safe physical outcomes for the mother and the infant. Centering Pregnancy is a multifaceted group model of care that integrates the three major components of prenatal care: Health Assessment, Education and Support, into a unified program within a group setting. The original pilot group will consists of women with similar gestational who will meet periodically throughout their pregnancy and early post partum where they learn self care skills, participate in facilitated discussion and develop a support network with the other group members. Through this unique model of care, women are empowered to choose health promoting behaviors. Health outcomes and patient satisfaction expressed by both the women and their providers in similar programs support the effectiveness of this model for the delivery of prenatal care. Groups provide a dynamic atmosphere for learning and sharing that is impossible to create in a one-to-one encounter. Hearing other women share their concerns which mirror their own helps women to normalize the whole experience of pregnancy. Groups also are empowering as they provide support to the members and also increase individual motivation to learn and change. Professionals report that groups provide them with renewed satisfaction in delivering quality care.
The goals of this model of care are: 1.Improving the health and well-being of childbearing women and their families
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