Clinical Update

A new UCLA Health OBGYN program offers pregnant individuals the opportunity to receive their prenatal care in a group setting, alongside other expectant parents who are at the same stage of their pregnancy journey. The CenteringPregnancy program was launched to provide a patient-centered approach by affording participants significantly more time with providers for both one-on-one care and education, all in a supportive environment. 

CenteringPregnancy has its roots in the 1990s, and in recent years the concept has become increasingly popular, with Centering programs now in 45 states across the country. “Centering fosters empowerment,” says Mya Zapata, MD, the program’s director. “Patients collect information about their health and discuss with providers and peers what’s happening with their bodies and how they’re experiencing their pregnancy, as well as learning practical and evidence-based ways to address any concerns.” 

UCLA OBGYN welcomed its first Centering group last October and has started a new cohort approximately once a month ever since. Newly pregnant patients visit a UCLA Health OBGYN clinic for their initial exam and medical history intake, then can choose to join a Centering group with other expectant parents who have similar due dates for the remainder of their prenatal care. The groups begin roughly 12-16 weeks into the pregnancy and meet for 10 prenatal visits that are each two hours long. Partners and other support people are welcome to attend. 

Each session is facilitated by two expert providers — often including a certified nurse midwife along with an OB physician. “It’s a unique experience that gives group members multiple perspectives during their pregnancy,” Dr. Zapata says. The sessions follow American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology guidelines for prenatal care, ensuring that patients get the same care they would receive in a traditional one-on-one visit. The first 30 minutes are spent with patients taking their own vital signs and getting one-on-one time with the provider for a “belly check” and to discuss concerns or needed tests. For the remainder of the session, the group members come together in a circle. “We generally have an agenda we follow related to what’s going on in that part of the pregnancy, as well as topics people are thinking about — such as finding pediatricians, breastfeeding, and managing any pain or discomfort,” Dr. Zapata says. “But ultimately, each group has its own interests that tend to drive the discussions.” 

Beyond its popularity with patients, Centering has shown evidence of improved outcomes, Dr. Zapata notes, particularly among populations such as Black expectant parents, who have a higher risk of preterm birth and preeclampsia. Studies have found increased breastfeeding rates for patients who go through Centering programs, as well as deeper connections with providers. 

“The experience of pregnancy can be isolating — it’s easy to feel like the worries or anxieties you’re experiencing are specific to you,” Dr. Zapata says. “To have a genuine discussion about what’s going on is both validating and reassuring. Centering patients from all different backgrounds learn a lot from each other and form close bonds, typically meeting after the births for a postpartum reunion. There is a certain magic to the human interaction, peer support, and connection with providers.”