Comparison of Selected Outcomes of CenteringPregnancy Versus Traditional Prenatal Care

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of traditional prenatal care versus a group model of care, CenteringPregnancy, on maternal knowledge of pregnancy, social support, health locus of control, and satisfaction. The CenteringPregnancy model of care gives patients extended time with the provider in a group setting. The study used a two-group, pretest/posttest design of pregnant women who elected either the traditional approach to prenatal care (n = 48) or the Centering approach (n = 50). The results of this study showed statistically significant differences between the groups on posttest in knowledge of pregnancy. For social support and health locus of control, the high scores at pretest contributed to a ceiling effect, which limited the potential for change. Additional research is needed to assess health status outcomes among women electing alternative approaches to prenatal care.

Promoting Healthy Pregnancies Through Perinatal Groups: A Comparison of CenteringPregnancy® Group Prenatal Care and Childbirth Education Classes

“…A growing body of research assesses the effects of CenteringPregnancy on a variety of health and psychosocial outcomes (Baldwin, 2006;Grady & Bloom, 2004;Ickovics et al, 2003Ickovics et al, , 2007Rising, 1998). Rising (1998) evaluated group versus traditional care at an East Coast hospital clinic among ethnically diverse, primarily Medicaid-eligible women ranging in age from adolescence to over 30 years (N ¼ 111).…”

Effect of applying centering pregnancy model versus individual prenatal care on certain prenatal care outcomes

“…[17] However, find-ings were in favor to the conventional care group. Similarly, Baldwin (2006) evaluated the pregnant woman's perceived control of fetal health using fetal health locus of control instrument. Baldwin failed to support significant effect of centering pregnancy on fetal health locus of control.…”

“…Baldwin failed to support significant effect of centering pregnancy on fetal health locus of control. [18] Authors of the both studies [17,18] attributed the nonsignificant findings to three contributions; small sample size, non-randomization, and the ceiling effect (i.e., participants got high pretest scores on fetal health locus of control letting less room for improvement on posttest scores). Authors of the present study, endorsed the significant effect of CPM intervention on pregnancy-relevant healthy behaviors score to that the CPM operated as a means of sharing women's experiences and medical personnel information which contributed in conveying unhealthy behaviors to the healthier ones.…”

The role of the nurse practitioner in the implementation of group prenatal visits for aboriginal women: exploring a new type of care

“…The model encourages partners to be involvedat group sessions. This group model of prenatal care provides more time for clients to interact with their care provider and more time for prenatal education (Baldwin, 2006;Ickovics et al , 2007;Klima, 2009;Klima et al , 2009;Massey et al , 2006;Stemig, 2008;Rising, 1998;Rising &Senterfitt, 2009;Teate et al , 2009;Walker & Worrell , 2008 ;Walker & Rising, 2004/05). Clients reported high satisfaction rates for reasons such as: they develop a sense of community, develop friendships, relate to other pregnant women, experience personal growth, and gain knowledge from the health care provider and other clients.…”

“…The studies that have been conducted with CenteringPregnancy group prenatal care are limited due to small sample sizes, limited study strength, statistically significant age and ethnic differences, and lack of randomization (Baldwin, 2006;Grady & Bloom, 2004;Ickovics et al, 2007;Rising, 1998;Walker & Rising, 2004/0S).The Centering Pregnancy model has a lot of support for its use, but due to its newness, more studies with true randomization are required to demonstrate the true benefits of the program. (See Table 1 for a full review of the Centering Pregnancy literature).…”