Centering Pregnancy Groups

Going to the Center of a Revolutionary Prenatal Care Trend

By Gina Roberts-Grey

When certified nurse midwife Sharon Schindler Rising was teaching at The Yale School of Nursing more than a decade ago, she did more than tirelessly educate her students. Gathering women with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, Rising organized the first "Centering Pregnancy Group" as an innovative alternative to traditional prenatal health checkups. "I realized there was a great deal of repetition in the questions of expectant mothers," says Rising. "It made sense to give several women the same advice at once as well as the opportunity to have group question and answer sessions."

Revered as "the mother of centering" by mothers who've taken part in a centering pregnancy group as well as health care professionals, Rising and her alternative vision for prenatal care can be credited with numerous mothers-to-be experiencing enriching and enlightening pregnancies. "Group prenatal care provides a structural innovation, permitting more time for provider-patient interaction and therefore the opportunity to address clinical as well as psychological, social and behavioral factors to promote healthy pregnancy," says Rising. "Everybody is an expert," she adds as she describes part of the philosophy of centering pregnancy groups.

"Blending the voices, experiences and concerns of several women eases many of the participant's nervousness and gives the entire group the chance to gain encouragement and support from each other," says Claire Westdahl, a certified nurse midwife and leader of a centering pregnancy group in Atlanta, Ga.

Changing the way women receive prenatal care, centering pregnancy groups also eliminate the need for women to disappear alone behind an examination room door or jam a list of questions into a 10-minute session. "It was hard to remember everything I wanted to ask the doctor during my checkups," says Diana Abbott of Woodstock, Ill. "As soon as I'd hear my baby's heartbeat or be weighed, I'd forget what I needed an answer to."

Since 1993, centering pregnancy groups have gathered together women who are all in relatively the same stage of their pregnancies. The groups are comprised of first-time expectant parents as well as seasoned parental veterans. Although expectant adolescents, first-time moms-to-be and women without a strong personal support system are most likely to find Rising's technique valuable, knowing there is a group of professionals and peers supporting you is extremely beneficial for all expectant mothers.

"Adults want to learn and gather information at their own pace," says Rising. "Replacing the element of attending prenatal classes with informative group sessions gives women the chance to share information on their own terms." Time constraints and feeling self-conscious often contribute to low attendance in prenatal care and nutrition classes. Centering parents-to-be have the chance to collect pertinent information in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere without the pressure of a classroom setting.

Expecting her fourth child, Abbott happily drives more than 40 miles to take part in her centering group. Looking forward to imparting her wisdom and experiences, as well as being encouraged by her group's members, Abbott is quick to rebuff the notion that centering pregnancy groups are glorified coffee cloches. "We all truly benefit from giving or receiving advice," she says.

Expectant mothers emphatically applaud Rising's efforts and vision to promote a community of support and understanding. "Connecting with other women who are in the same situation justifies what you're feeling and gives expectant mothers reassurance," says Abbott. "Sometimes we extend the group discussions past the office and go for walks or lunch."

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