Centering Pregnancy
NOW ALSO OFFERED IN ENGLISH-SPEAKING GROUPS!
Centering Pregnancy is a different approach to prenatal care. Instead of individual, short appointments with the midwife, check-ups take place in a group setting. You play a much more active role than in regular prenatal care, you can share knowledge and experiences with other pregnant women who have a similar due date, and you have a dedicated midwife during these group sessions. Women and midwives who have experienced CenteringPregnancy are very enthusiastic about it.
“With CenteringPregnancy, we gained a lot of knowledge, met new people, and felt more than prepared for the postpartum period (and beyond). It’s not just 15 minutes and out the door, but two hours of brainstorming, talking, and reflecting with like-minded women on topics around pregnancy, childbirth, and after. It’s truly a joy to attend the sessions.”
Scientific research shows that CenteringPregnancy brings various benefits, such as: fewer preterm births, increased knowledge, better preparation for childbirth, less stress, fewer referrals to obstetricians during pregnancy and delivery, and a higher rate of breastfeeding.
What does prenatal care with CenteringPregnancy look like?
- The intake is done individually with an appointment at the practice.
- The following eight sessions take place in a fixed group.
- The sessions will be conducted in English
- The group consists of 5 till 10 pregnant women with approximately the same due date.
- Each session lasts two hours.
- Dates and times are scheduled well in advance, making it easier to plan in your calendar.
- Each group has two regular facilitators.
- The first four sessions are every four weeks, and the next four are every two weeks.
- There Dutch Healthcare system will also be discussed during the sessions.
- After the 8th session (around 37 weeks of pregnancy), you will return to individual appointments.
- The final session takes place a few weeks after birth — and of course, the babies are welcome too!
What’s different from individual check-ups?
- You play an active role in your own check-ups: measuring your own blood pressure, weighing yourself, recording the results in your pregnancy file.
- There’s ample time to explore topics that matter to you. You receive 17 more hours of care compared to individual appointments — in two hours, a midwife can delve much deeper into your questions than in a standard 15-minute check-up.
- There’s a strong focus on what you can do yourself to support a healthy pregnancy and birth.
- You learn from other women and also contribute your own knowledge and experiences to the group.
- You support each other and build friendships with women who are in the same life phase.
What does a session look like?
Each session starts with half an hour to catch up while having coffee or tea. But this time is used productively: you measure your own blood pressure, weigh yourself, and record it in your file. Each pregnant woman also sees the midwife individually for a physical check-up, listening to the baby’s heartbeat, and personal questions — these take place in a separate room.
Then, a topic is discussed in-depth, such as healthy nutrition or prenatal screenings. Importantly, it’s not the midwife lecturing — it’s up to you as a group to discuss the topic. The midwife adds information where necessary. And it’s not just talking; there are various activities and exercises to keep it engaging and interactive.
Curious to learn more?
During your first appointment, we will discuss whether you’d like to participate in CenteringPregnancy.
Click here for more information (it is the website of the organisation of Centering Pregnancy, in Dutch).