title: Group prenatal care: review of outcomes and recommendations for model implementation.
abstract: The intent and delivery of prenatal care have evolved since its formal inception in the early 1900s. Group prenatal care offers an alternative care delivery model to the currently dominant prenatal care model. The group model has been associated with a number of improved perinatal outcomes including decreased preterm birth, higher birth weight, improved breast-feeding initiation and duration, decreased cesarean delivery, and greater patient satisfaction. This article outlines the tenets of CenteringPregnancy, the current dominant form of group prenatal care, reviews literature regarding perinatal outcomes related to group prenatal care, suggests future research agendas, and highlights relevant considerations when implementing this alternate model of prenatal health care delivery.
authors.affiliation: Nurse-Midwife, School of Nursing, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR.
authors.forename: Ellen L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Tilden
authors.affiliation: Nurse-Midwife, School of Nursing, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR.
authors.forename: Sally R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Hersh
authors.affiliation: Nurse-Midwife, School of Nursing, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR.
authors.forename: Cathy L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Emeis
authors.affiliation: Nurse-Midwife, School of Nursing, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR.
authors.forename: Sarah R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Weinstein
authors.affiliation: Department Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR.
authors.forename: Aaron B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Caughey
mesh_terms: D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D017146:Models, Organizational; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000517:prevention & control; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*