Group Care During Pregnancy Helps to Reduce Risk of Preterm Birth and Enhance the Pregnancy Experience.

The concept is called “centering.”      The idea of group care, which is used in many areas of medicine, has significant benefits to those involved. The centering model of care, takes a group of women that have similar due dates and aligns them with a practitioner so that they all receive prenatal care together in a group.  Heart monitoring, blood pressure monitoring, urine analysis and weight measurements are all done together with/for all of the members of the group. More in-depth appointments can be scheduled independently of the centering meetings.

Together, the women in centering programs get to:

• Build community with other pregnant women
• Learn self-care skills
• Get assurance about the progression of their pregnancy
• Gain knowledge about pregnancy, birth, post partum, and parenting,
• Have improved perinatal outcomes.

The benefits are endless! Some include:

• Increased gestational age (i.e, full term babies)
• Increased birth weight
• Increased success with breastfeeding
• Psychosocial Benefits Include:
• Increased prenatal knowledge
• Decreased prenatal distress
• Increased preparedness for labor and delivery
• Increased readiness for infant care
• Increased happiness with prenatal care.
• Decreased preterm birth.  Irregardless of age, socioeconomics, education, etc.

Over the last century, Preterm birth rates have significantly increased. Preterm birth is when a baby is born at or before 37 weeks; 34-36 weeks is characterized as late-preterm. The reasons are relatively elusive/unknown but some ideas include- increased utilization of reproductive technology and multifetal gestations. Adverse outcomes of preterm birth can include: neonatal and infant deaths, childhood neurological disability, prolonged hospitalization, increased cost, and adverse developmental consequences that can last a lifetime.

Groups provide a dynamic atmosphere for learning and sharing that is impossible to create in a one-to-one encounter; therefore, the patient gains a lot more during these meetings.  “Hearing other women share concerns which mirror my own helped me normalize my experience,” says Brenda Armstrong, owner and participant of A Bump in the Road, a value-added support group in Durango, CO.  A Bump in the Road doesn’t provide “prenatal care” or teach “self-care” techniques; however, A Bump is bringing local practitioners and pregnant women together. Local practitioners present on a variety of topics bimonthly at group meetings to women considering having children, women who are currently pregnant, and to new mothers.  The mix offers validation for everyone in the group. A Bump in the Road provides education, support, and resources for women traveling the path to parenthood.  “We are gaining a greater knowledge of the process while at the same time, we’re building community and learning from each other,” states Armstrong.

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 as well. Seek out a support group or a centering program in your area. If you are in Durango, CO San Juan Basin Health Department offers a complete “Centering Pregnanacy” program. For more information, contact Hannah at SJBHD at (970) 247-5702, Ext. 202.

Author: Brenda Armstrong, Owner/Founder A Bump in the Road