This program is for women who are pregnant.

CenteringPregnancy®, a community-based program, follows a group prenatal-care model and is designed to improve pregnancy outcomes and increase participants' satisfaction with their prenatal care.

Across multiple randomized controlled trials (RCT) and quasi-experimental studies, CenteringPregnancy was found to have mixed results on several outcomes, which include preterm births, breastfeeding, satisfaction with care, and low birth-weight infants. Specifically, in one RCT conducted in a military setting, participants in the CenteringPregnancy group were more likely to receive adequate prenatal care and be more satisfied with their care compared to a control group; however, there were no differences between groups in birth or neonatal outcomes, breastfeeding, missed days of work, perceived stress, perceived social support, or depression symptoms. Results tend to vary by number of sessions attended and by maternal race/ethnicity.

CenteringPregnancy combines assessment, education, and support. Sessions are held in a group setting with 8 to 10 women of similar gestational age. Participants learn self-care and baby-care skills, participate in discussions, and create a supportive network. CenteringPregnancy combines three components of group care

• Health assessment - Perform a physical assessment with a healthcare provider, and teach mothers how to take their own blood pressure, weigh themselves, and record their findings in a prenatal record;
• Interactive Learning - Discuss various health topics related to pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. These topics include common complaints and discomforts of pregnancy; stress management; exercise; substance abuse; breastfeeding; labor and birth; caring for a new baby; and emotional adjustment, including postpartum depression; and
• Community Building - Create friendships and a support network.

Sites interested in implementing the CenteringPregancy program must complete a Readiness Assessment and must be licensed. Please visit https://centeringhealthcare.org/lets-get-started or https://centeringhealthcare.org/start-centering, or use details in the Contact section to learn more.

The CenteringPregnancy model was developed in 1993 and has been implemented in over 300 sites in the United States and internationally and has been used by all military branches.

Facilitators may be healthcare providers, nurses, medical assistants, health educators, social workers, patient advocates, or health-profession students and residents. A multi-session Centering Facilitation Workshop costs $995 per person. An advanced training workshop is available for $700 per person, and training for hosting virtual groups is also available for $199 per person. Please visit https://www.centeringhealthcare.org/store/workshops, or use details in the Contact section to learn more.

Considerations for implementing this program include acquiring participant buy-in; recruiting suitable facilitators and ensuring they receive training; obtaining funding for training; locating space to hold sessions; completing the Readiness Assessment; purchasing a site license; and understanding there could be barriers for participation that may need to be addressed, such as transportation or child care for siblings.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing CenteringPregnancy the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

CenteringPregnancy consists of 10 1.5- to 2-hour sessions that begin at the start of the second trimester and continue through delivery.

An annual site license is required. The Centering Leader Kit costs $300. Please use details in the Contact section for more information on implementation costs.

To move CenteringPregnancy to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating consistently positive effects on main program outcomes, with no negative effects, lasting six months from program completion.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact Centering Healthcare Institute by mail 89 South Street, Suite LL02, Boston, MA 02111, phone 1-857-284-7570, or visit https://www.centeringhealthcare.org/about/contact

https://centeringhealthcare.org/what-we-do/centering-pregnancy, Kennedy et al. (2011), and Manant and Dodgson (2011).