Group Antenatal Care Model Research Articles

Impact of the group antenatal care model at Machakos County Referral Hospital, Kenya

Background: According to the World Health Organization, antenatal care (ANC) is defined as “timely, appropriate, evidence-based actions related to health promotion, disease prevention, screening, and treatment with targets to reduce complications from pregnancy and childbirth, such as stillbirths and perinatal deaths”. The WHO recommends the adoption of the eight antenatal care model, whereby the health care provider interacts with the pregnant woman in eight contacts, as compared to the individual antenatal care model that had four visits. The eight ANC contacts are easily achieved through group antenatal care whereby pregnant women of similar gestational age are placed in groups or cohorts and then receive care together in the following ANC clinic days. Objective: To assess the impact of a group antenatal care model at Machakos County Referral Hospital. Methods: The group antenatal care model was rolled out at Machakos County Referral Hospital in April 2022. A record review was done from the summary report register for the following periods: February to July 2021 (before group ANC) and February to July 2023 (after group ANC). Results: The number of clients who revisited the antenatal clinic in the study period for the year 2021 was 2075, whereas those who revisited the clinic in the same study period were 4057, with 688 clients having attended the group antenatal care. Conclusion: There was an increase in the number of pregnant women who attended ANC services among pregnant women in 2023. A possible contributing factor to this may be associated with the introduction of group antenatal care where the pregnant women interacted seven times with the nurses and therefore more entries to the register.

“Taking care of your pregnancy”: a mixed-methods study of group antenatal care in Kakamega County, Kenya

BackgroundTraditional antenatal care (ANC) models often do not meet women’s needs for information, counseling, and support, resulting in gaps in quality and coverage. Group ANC (GANC) provides an alternative, person-centered approach where pregnant women of similar gestational age meet with the same health provider for facilitated discussion. Few studies show associations between GANC and various outcomes.MethodsWe employed a pre-post quasi-experimental design using mixed methods to assess a GANC model (Lea Mimba Pregnancy Clubs) at six health facilities in Kakamega County, Kenya. Between April 2018 and January 2019, we tracked 1652 women assigned to 162 GANC cohorts. Using an intention-to-treat approach, we conducted baseline (N = 112) and endline surveys (N = 360) with women attending immunization visits to assess outcomes including experience of care, empowerment and self-efficacy, knowledge of healthy practices and danger signs, and practice of healthy behaviors, including ANC retention. At endline, we conducted 29 in-depth interviews (IDIs) and three focus group discussions with women who were currently and previously participating in GANC, and 15 IDIs with stakeholders.ResultsThe proportion of survey respondents with knowledge of three or more danger signs during pregnancy more than tripled, from 7.1% at baseline to 26.4% at endline (OR: 4.58; 95% CI: 2.26–10.61). We also found improvements in women’s reports about their experience of care between baseline and endline, particularly in their assessment of knowledge and competence of health workers (OR: 2.52 95% CI: 1.57–4.02), respect shown by ANC providers (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.16–2.85), and women’s satisfaction with overall quality of care (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.03–2.53). We saw an increase from 58.9% at baseline to 71.7% at endline of women who strongly agreed that they shared their feelings and experiences with other women (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.1–2.7). The mean number of ANC visits increased by 0.89 visits (95% CI: 0.47–1.42) between baseline (4.21) and endline (5.08). No changes were seen in knowledge of positive behaviors, empowerment, self-efficacy, and several aspects related to women’s experience of care and adoption of healthy behavior constructs. Qualitatively, women and stakeholders noted improved interactions between health providers and women, improved counseling, increased feelings of empowerment to ask questions and speak freely and strengthened social networks and enhanced social cohesion among women.ConclusionsGANC offers promise for enhancing women’s experience of care by providing improved counseling and social support. Additional research is needed to develop and test measures for empowerment, self-efficacy, and experience of care, and to understand the pathways whereby GANC effects changes in specific outcomes.

The challenges and opportunities for implementing group antenatal care (‘Pregnancy Circles’) as part of standard NHS maternity care: A co-designed qualitative study

ObjectiveTo identify the challenges and opportunities for rolling out a bespoke model of group antenatal care called Pregnancy Circles (PC) within the National Health Service: what kind of support and training is needed and what adaptations are appropriate, including during a pandemic when face-to-face interaction is limited. DesignExploratory qualitative study (online focus group). Study co-designed with midwives. Data analysed thematically using an ecological model to synthesise. SettingFive maternity services within the National Health Service. ParticipantsSeven midwives who facilitated PCs. Three senior midwives with implementation experience participated in the co-design process. FindingsThree themes operating across the ecological model were identified: ‘Implementing innovation’, ‘Philosophy of care’ and ‘Resource management’. Tensions were identified between group care’s focus on relationships and professional autonomy, and concepts of efficiency within the NHS's market model of care. Midwives found protected time, training and ongoing support essential for developing the skills and confidence needed to deliver this innovative model of care. Integrating Pregnancy Circles with continuity of carer models was seen as the most promising opportunity for long-term implementation. Midwives perceived continuity and peer support as the most effective elements of the model and there was some evidence that the model may be robust enough to withstand adaptation to online delivery. Key conclusionsMidwives facilitating group care enjoyed the relationships, autonomy and professional development the model offered. Harnessing this personal (micro-level) satisfaction is key to wider implementation. Group care is well aligned with current maternity policy but the challenges midwives face (temporal, practical and cultural) must be anticipated and addressed at macro and meso level for wider implementation to be sustainable. The PC model may be flexible enough to adapt to online delivery and extend continuity of care but further research is needed in these areas. Implications for practiceImplementation of group care in the NHS requires senior leadership and expertise in change management, protected time for training and delivery of the model, and funding for equipment. Training and ongoing support, are vital for sustainability and quality control. There is potential for online delivery and integrating group care with continuity models.

CenteringPregnancy in the Netherlands: Who engages, who doesn’t, and why

BackgroundCenteringPregnancy (CP), a model of group antenatal care, was implemented in 2012 in the Netherlands to improve perinatal health; CP is associated with improved pregnancy outcomes. However, motivating women to participate in CP can be difficult. As such, we explored the characteristics associated with CP uptake and attendance and then investigated whether participation differs between health care facilities. In addition, we examined the reasons why women may decline participation and the reasons for higher or lower attendance rates.MethodsData from a stepped‐wedge cluster randomized controlled trial were used. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine associations among women's health behavior, sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics, health care facilities, and participation and attendance in CP.ResultsA total of 2562 women were included in the study, and the average participation rate was 31.6% per health care facility (range of 10%‐53%). Nulliparous women, women <26 years old or >30 years old, and women reporting average or high levels of stress were more likely to participate in CP. Participation was less likely for women who had stopped smoking before prenatal intake, or who scored below average on lifestyle/pregnancy knowledge. For those participating in CP, 87% attended seven or more out of the 10 sessions, and no significant differences were found in women's characteristics when compared for higher or lower attendance rates. After the initial uptake, group attendance rates remained high.ConclusionA more comprehensive understanding of the variation in participation rate between health care facilities is required, in order to develop effective strategies to improve the recruitment of women, especially those with less knowledge and understanding of health issues and smoking habits.

Evaluating process fidelity during the implementation of Group Antenatal Care in Mexico

BackgroundCenteringPregnancy (CP) is a group antenatal care (G-ANC) model that has proven beneficial for mothers and their newborns. We conducted a feasibility study beginning in 2016 as part of the Mexican effort to implement G-ANC locally. This study reports on fidelity to the essential elements of CP during its implementation in Mexico.MethodsWe collected prospective data using a standardized checklist at four primary-care centers that implemented our adapted G-ANC model. We performed a descriptive analysis of fidelity to 28 processes per G-ANC session (71 sessions made up of 10 groups and 129 women across 4 health centers). We calculated fidelity to each process as a proportion with 95% confidence intervals. We present overall results and stratified by health center and by facilitation team.ResultsOverall fidelity to the G-ANC intervention was 82%, with variability by health center (78–88%). The elements with the highest fidelity were having space for activities such as checking vital signs, conversation in a circle, and medical check-ups (100% each) and the element with the lowest fidelity was using music to enhance privacy (27.3%). Fidelity was not significantly different by center.ConclusionsOur study suggests good model fidelity during the implementation of G-ANC in Mexico. Our findings also contribute useful information about where to focus efforts in the future to maintain and improve G-ANC model fidelity.

Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of group antenatal care in Senegalese health posts: a pilot implementation trial.

Almost all pregnant women in Senegal receive some antenatal care (ANC), yet only around half receive four or more visits and provision of education and counselling during ANC is often inadequate and, in some cases, non-existent. This results in missed opportunities to provide support and to counsel women regarding appropriate care-seeking practices and health behaviours during pregnancy and across the continuum of care. This pilot effectiveness-implementation randomized controlled trial explored whether group ANC (G-ANC), a model that integrates standard individual pregnancy care with facilitated participatory group education activities and peer support, could potentially address some of these challenges. The G-ANC model adapted for Senegal builds on local healthcare delivery systems and aligns with World Health Organization recommendations for a shift towards women-centred models of maternity services. It was implemented at the health post level, and a total of 330 pregnant women participated in the study, of whom 85% were followed up at 6-10 weeks post-delivery. We assessed implementation outcomes (e.g. acceptability, cost) to establish the feasibility of the model in Senegal and explored effectiveness outcomes related to maternal and infant health for the planning of a large-scale trial. Results indicate that women and ANC providers were overwhelmingly enthusiastic about the G-ANC model, and exploratory analyses suggested improvements in exclusive breastfeeding, intention to use family planning, birth preparations and knowledge around maternal and newborn danger signs. This article provides timely and relevant evidence on the feasibility of G-ANC as an alternative model of care during pregnancy and a solid basis for recommending the conduct of a large-scale implementation study of G-ANC in Senegal.

Model fidelity of group antenatal and postnatal care: a process analysis of the first implementation of this innovative service model by the Preterm Birth Initiative-Rwanda

Background: For a large trial of the effect of group antenatal care on perinatal outcomes in Rwanda, a Technical Working Group customized the group care model for implementation in this context. This process analysis aimed to understand the degree of fidelity with which the group antenatal care model was implemented during the trial period. Methods: We used two discreet questionnaires to collect data from two groups about the fidelity with which the group antenatal care model was implemented during this trial period. Group care facilitators recorded descriptive data about each visit and self-assessed process fidelity with a series of yes/no checkboxes. Master Trainers assessed process fidelity with an 11-item tool using a 5-point scale of 0 (worst) to 4 (best). Results: We analyzed 2763 questionnaires completed by group care facilitators that documented discreet group visits among pregnant and postnatal women and 140 questionnaires completed by Master Trainers during supervision visits. Data recorded by both groups was available for 84 group care visits, and we compared these assessments by visit. Approximately 80% of all group visits were provided as intended, with respect to both objective measures (e.g. group size) and process fidelity. We did not find reliable correlations between conceptually-related items scored by Master Trainers and self-assessment data reported by group visit facilitators. Conclusions: We recommend both the continued participation of expert observers at new and existing group care sites and ongoing self-assessment by group care facilitators. Finally, we present two abbreviated assessment tools developed by a Rwanda-specific Technical Working Group that reviewed these research results.

Measuring fidelity, feasibility, costs: an implementation evaluation of a cluster-controlled trial of group antenatal care in rural Nepal

BackgroundAccess to high-quality antenatal care services has been shown to be beneficial for maternal and child health. In 2016, the WHO published evidence-based recommendations for antenatal care that aim to improve utilization, quality of care, and the patient experience. Prior research in Nepal has shown that a lack of social support, birth planning, and resources are barriers to accessing services in rural communities. The success of CenteringPregnancy and participatory action women’s groups suggests that group care models may both improve access to care and the quality of care delivered through women’s empowerment and the creation of social networks. We present a group antenatal care model in rural Nepal, designed and implemented by the healthcare delivery organization Nyaya Health Nepal, as well as an assessment of implementation outcomes.MethodsThe study was conducted at Bayalata Hospital in Achham, Nepal, via a public private partnership between the Nepali non-profit, Nyaya Health Nepal, and the Ministry of Health and Population, with financial and technical assistance from the American non-profit, Possible. We implemented group antenatal care as a prospective non-randomized cluster-controlled, type I hybrid effectiveness-implementation study in six village clusters. The implementation approach allows for iterative improvement in design, making changes to improve the quality of the intervention. Assessments of implementation process and model fidelity were undertaken using a mobile checklist completed by nurse supervisors, and observation forms completed by program leadership. We evaluated data quarterly using descriptive statistics to identify trends. Qualitative interviews and team communications were analyzed through immersion crystallization to identify major themes that evolved during the implementation process.ResultsA total of 141 group antenatal sessions were run during the study period. This paper reports on implementation results, whereas we analyze and present patient-level effectiveness outcomes in a complementary paper in this journal. There was high process fidelity to the model, with 85.7% (95% CI 77.1–91.5%) of visits completing all process elements, and high content fidelity, with all village clusters meeting the minimum target frequency for 80% of topics. The annual per capita cost for group antenatal care was 0.50 USD. Qualitative analysis revealed the compromise of stable gestation-matched composition of the group members in order to make the intervention feasible. Major adaptations were made in training, documentation, feedback and logistics.ConclusionGroup antenatal care provided in collaboration with local government clinics has the potential to provide accessible and high quality antenatal care to women in rural Nepal. The intervention is a feasible and affordable alternative to individual antenatal care. Our experience has shown that adaptation from prior models was important for the program to be successful in the local context within the national healthcare system.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02330887, registered 01/05/2015, retroactively registered.

Model fidelity of group antenatal and postnatal care: a process analysis of the first implementation of this innovative service model by the Preterm Birth Initiative-Rwanda.

Background: For a large trial of the effect of group antenatal care on perinatal outcomes in Rwanda, a Technical Working Group customized the group care model for implementation in this context. This process analysis aimed to understand the degree of fidelity with which the group antenatal care model was implemented during the trial period. Methods: We used two discreet questionnaires to collect data from two groups about the fidelity with which the group antenatal care model was implemented during this trial period. Group care facilitators recorded descriptive data about each visit and self-assessed process fidelity with a series of yes/no checkboxes. Master Trainers assessed process fidelity with an 11-item tool using a 5-point scale of 0 (worst) to 4 (best). Results: We analyzed 2763 questionnaires completed by group care facilitators that documented discreet group visits among pregnant and postnatal women and 140 questionnaires completed by Master Trainers during supervision visits. Data recorded by both groups was available for 84 group care visits, and we compared these assessments by visit. Approximately 80% of all group visits were provided as intended, with respect to both objective measures (e.g. group size) and process fidelity. We did not find reliable correlations between conceptually-related items scored by Master Trainers and self-assessment data reported by group visit facilitators. Conclusions: We recommend both the continued participation of expert observers at new and existing group care sites and ongoing self-assessment by group care facilitators. Finally, we present two abbreviated assessment tools developed by a Rwanda-specific Technical Working Group that reviewed these research results.

The power of peers: an effectiveness evaluation of a cluster-controlled trial of group antenatal care in rural Nepal

BackgroundReducing the maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births globally is one of the Sustainable Development Goals. Approximately 830 women die from pregnancy- or childbirth-related complications every day. Almost 99% of these deaths occur in developing countries. Increasing antenatal care quality and completion, and institutional delivery are key strategies to reduce maternal mortality, however there are many implementation challenges in rural and resource-limited settings. In Nepal, 43% of deliveries do not take place in an institution and 31% of women have insufficient antenatal care. Context-specific and evidence-based strategies are needed to improve antenatal care completion and institutional birth. We present an assessment of effectiveness outcomes for an adaptation of a group antenatal care model delivered by community health workers and midwives in close collaboration with government staff in rural Nepal.MethodsThe study was conducted in Achham, Nepal, via a public private partnership between the Nepali non-profit, Nyaya Health Nepal, and the Ministry of Health and Population, with financial and technical assistance from the American non-profit, Possible. We implemented group antenatal care as a prospective non-randomized, cluster-controlled, type I hybrid effectiveness-implementation study in six village clusters. The implementation approach allowed for iterative improvement in design by making changes to improve the quality of the intervention. We evaluated effectiveness through a difference in difference analysis of institutional birth rates between groups prior to implementation of the intervention and 1 year after implementation. Additionally, we assessed the change in knowledge of key danger signs and the acceptability of the group model compared with individual visits in a nested cohort of women receiving home visit care and home visit care plus group antenatal care. Using a directed content and thematic approach, we analyzed qualitative interviews to identify major themes related to implementation.ResultsAt baseline, there were 457 recently-delivered women in the six village clusters receiving home visit care and 214 in the seven village clusters receiving home visit care plus group antenatal care. At endline, there were 336 and 201, respectively. The difference in difference analysis did not show a significant change in institutional birth rates nor antenatal care visit completion rates between the groups. There was, however, a significant increase in both institutional birth and antenatal care completion in each group from baseline to endline. We enrolled a nested cohort of 52 participants receiving home visit care and 62 participants receiving home visit care plus group antenatal care. There was high acceptability of the group antenatal care intervention and home visit care, with no significant differences between groups. A significantly higher percentage of women who participated in group antenatal care found their visits to be ‘very enjoyable’ (83.9% vs 59.6%, p = 0.0056). In the nested cohort, knowledge of key danger signs during pregnancy significantly improved from baseline to endline in the intervention clusters only (2 to 31%, p < 0.001), while knowledge of key danger signs related to labor and childbirth, the postpartum period, and the newborn did not in either intervention or control groups. Qualitative analysis revealed that women found that the groups provided an opportunity for learning and discussion, and the groups were a source of social support and empowerment. They also reported an improvement in services available at their village clinic. Providers noted the importance of the community health workers in identifying pregnant women in the community and linking them to the village clinics. Challenges in birth planning were brought up by both participants and providers.ConclusionWhile there was no significant change in institutional birth and antenatal care completion at the population level between groups, there was an increase of these outcomes in both groups. This may be secondary to the primary importance of community health worker involvement in both of these groups. Knowledge of key pregnancy danger signs was significantly improved in the home visit plus group antenatal care cohort compared with the home visit care only group. This initial study of Nyaya Health Nepal’s adapted group care model demonstrates the potential for impacting women’s antenatal care experience and should be studied over a longer period as an intervention embedded within a community health worker program.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02330887, registered 01/05/2015, retroactively registered.

Impact of group antenatal care (G-ANC) versus individual antenatal care (ANC) on quality of care, ANC attendance and facility-based delivery: A pragmatic cluster-randomized controlled trial in Kenya and Nigeria

BackgroundLow quality and frequency of antenatal care (ANC) are associated with lower uptake of facility-based deliveries—a key intervention to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. We implemented group ANC (G-ANC), an alternative service delivery model, in Kenya and Nigeria, to assess its impact on quality and attendance at ANC and uptake of facility-based delivery.MethodsFrom October 2016‒January 2018, we conducted a facility-based, pragmatic, cluster-randomized controlled trial with 20 clusters per country. We recruited women <24 weeks gestation during their first ANC visit and enrolled women at intervention facilities who agreed to attend G-ANC in lieu of routine individual ANC. The G-ANC model consisted of five monthly 2-hour meetings with clinical assessments alongside structured gestationally specific group discussions and activities. Quality of care was defined as receipt of eight specific ANC interventions. Data were obtained through facility records and self-report during a home-based postpartum survey. Analysis was by intention to treat.FindingsAll women who completed follow up are included in the analysis (Nigeria: 1018/1075 enrolled women [94.7%], Kenya: 826/1013 [81.5%]). In Nigeria women in the intervention arm were more likely to have a facility-based delivery compared to those in the control arm (Nigeria: 76.7% [391/510] versus 54.1% [275/508]; aOR 2.30, CI 1.51–3.49). In both countries women in the intervention arm were more likely than those in the control arm to receive quality ANC (Nigeria: aOR 5.8, CI 1.98–17.21, p<0.001; Kenya: aOR 5.08, CI 2.31–11.16, p<0.001) and to attend at least four ANC visits (Nigeria: aOR 13.30, CI 7.69–22.99, p<0.001; Kenya: aOR 7.12, CI 3.91–12.97, p<0.001).ConclusionsG-ANC was associated with higher facility-based delivery rates in Nigeria, where those rates associated with individual ANC were low. In both Kenya and Nigeria it was associated with a higher proportion of women receiving quality ANC and higher frequency of ANC visits.

Group antenatal care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women: An acceptability study

BackgroundGood quality antenatal care is essential to improve the perinatal outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia. Group antenatal care (GAC) is an innovative model which places clinical assessment, education and social support into a group setting. Previous studies have found GAC to be associated with improved perinatal outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations, and high satisfaction levels among group members. No implementations of GAC, or evaluations of its acceptability, for an Indigenous population in Australia have been previously conducted. AimTo explore the perceptions of a group of Indigenous health workers (n=5) in a health service in Far North Queensland, Australia, towards the prospective acceptability of GAC as an additional choice of model of care for their Indigenous women clients. MethodsThis qualitative acceptability study employed a descriptive/exploratory methodology. Data collection was by semi structured interview. Data analysis was guided by a theoretical framework of acceptability and conducted following a process of iterative categorisation. FindingsNo overall precluding factors were identified to render the model unacceptable for Indigenous women in this locality. Some features of the model would not suit all women. Indigenous health workers were interested in increased involvement with antenatal care and participation in a GAC model. ConclusionA foundation of acceptability exists upon which the implementation of a GAC model could offer benefits to Indigenous women in this health service. The positive response of the Indigenous health workers to the concept of GAC endorsed the potential of this model to contribute to the provision of culturally appropriate and effective antenatal care within mainstream services.

Better together: A qualitative exploration of women’s perceptions and experiences of group antenatal care

ProblemChildbearing women from socio-economically disadvantaged communities and minority ethnic groups are less likely to access antenatal care and experience more adverse pregnancy outcomes. BackgroundGroup antenatal care aims to facilitate information sharing and social support. It is associated with higher rates of attendance and improved health outcomes. AimsTo assess the acceptability of a bespoke model of group antenatal care (Pregnancy Circles) in an inner city community in England, understand how the model affects women’s experiences of pregnancy and antenatal care, and inform further development and testing of the model. MethodsA two-stage qualitative study comprising focus groups with twenty six local women, followed by the implementation of four Pregnancy Circles attended by twenty four women, which were evaluated using observations, focus groups and semi-structured interviews with participants. Data were analysed thematically. FindingsPregnancy Circles offered an appealing alternative to standard antenatal care and functioned as an instrument of empowerment, mediated through increased learning and knowledge sharing, active participation in care and peer and professional relationship building. Multiparous women and women from diverse cultures sharing their experiences during Circle sessions was particularly valued. Participants had mixed views about including partners in the sessions. ConclusionsGroup antenatal care, in the form of Pregnancy Circles, is acceptable to women and appears to enhance their experiences of pregnancy. Further work needs to be done both to test the findings in larger, quantitative studies and to find a model of care that is acceptable to women and their partners.

The Mexican Experience Adapting CenteringPregnancy: Lessons Learned in a Publicly Funded Health Care System Serving Vulnerable Women.

Group antenatal care is an innovative model of health care in which all components of antenatal care—clinical, educational, and supportive—happen in a group context with health care professionals as facilitators. CenteringPregnancy is the most studied model of group antenatal care, now widely implemented in the United States. This model has been shown to be effective in improving health and behavioral outcomes in the United States, but there is less known about the experience adapting group antenatal care in settings outside the US health care system. This article describes the adaptation of the CenteringPregnancy model to a Mexican context. We describe the Mexican health care context and our adaptation process and highlight key factors to consider when adapting the content and modality of the CenteringPregnancy model for diverse populations and health systems. Our findings are relevant to others seeking to implement group antenatal care in settings outside the US health care system.

`It makes sense and it works': Maternity care providers' perspectives on the feasibility of a group antenatal care model (Pregnancy Circles)

AimTo test the feasibility of introducing a group antenatal care initiative (Pregnancy Circles) in an area with high levels of social deprivation and cultural diversity by exploring the views and experiences of midwives and other maternity care providers in the locality before and after the implementation of a test run of the group model. Design(i) Pre-implementation semi-structured interviews with local stakeholders. (ii) Post-implementation informal and semi-structured interviews and a reflective workshop with facilitating midwives, and semi-structured interviews with maternity managers and commissioners. Data were organised around three core themes of organisational readiness, the acceptability of the model, and its impact on midwifery practice, and analyzed thematically. SettingA large inner-city National Health Service Trust in the United Kingdom. ParticipantsSixteen stakeholders were interviewed prior to, and ten after, the group model was implemented. Feedback was also obtained from a further nine midwives and one student midwife who facilitated the Pregnancy Circles. InterventionFour Pregnancy Circles in community settings. Women with pregnancies of similar gestation were brought together for antenatal care incorporating information sharing and peer support. Women undertook their own blood pressure and urine checks, and had brief individual midwifery checks in the group space. FindingsDissatisfaction with current practice fuelled organisational readiness and the intervention was both possible and acceptable in the host setting. A perceived lack of privacy in a group setting, the ramifications of devolving blood pressure and urine checks to women, and the involvement of partners in sessions were identified as sticking points. Facilitating midwives need to be adequately supported and trained in group facilitation. Midwives derived accomplishment and job satisfaction from working in this way, and considered that it empowered women and enhanced care. Key conclusionsParticipants reported widespread dissatisfaction with current care provision. Pregnancy Circles were experienced as a safe environment in which to provide care, and one that enabled midwives to build meaningful relationships with women. Implications for practicePre-registration education inadequately prepared midwives for group care. Addressing sticking points and securing management support for Pregnancy Circles is vital to sustain participation in this model of care.

Exploring perceptions of group antenatal Care in Urban India: results of a feasibility study

BackgroundMaking high-quality health care available to all women during pregnancy is a critical strategy for improving perinatal outcomes for mothers and babies everywhere. Research from high-income countries suggests that antenatal care delivered in a group may be an effective way to improve the provision, experiences, and outcomes of care for pregnant women and newborns. A number of researchers and programmers are adapting group antenatal care (ANC) models for use in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), but the evidence base from these settings is limited and no studies to date have assessed the feasibility and acceptability of group ANC in India.MethodsWe adapted a “generic” model of group antenatal care developed through a systematic scoping review of the existing evidence on group ANC in LMICs for use in an urban setting in India, after looking at local, national and global guidelines to tailor the model content. We demonstrated one session of the model to physicians, auxiliary nurse midwives, administrators, pregnant women, and support persons from three different types of health facilities in Vadodara, India and used qualitative methods to gather and analyze feedback from participants on the perceived feasibility and acceptability of the model.ResultsProviders and recipients of care expressed support and enthusiasm for the model and offered specific feedback on its components: physical assessment, active learning, and social support. In general, after witnessing a demonstration of the model, both groups of participants—providers and beneficiaries—saw group ANC as a vehicle for delivering more comprehensive ANC services, improving experiences of care, empowering women to become more active partners and participants in their care, and potentially addressing some current health system challenges.ConclusionThis study suggests that introducing group ANC would be feasible and acceptable to stakeholders from various care delivery settings, including an urban primary health clinic, a community-based mother and child health center, and a private hospital, in urban India.

Randomized controlled pilot of a group antenatal care model and the sociodemographic factors associated with pregnancy-related empowerment in sub-Saharan Africa

BackgroundThe links between empowerment and a number of health-related outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa have been documented, but empowerment related to pregnancy is under-investigated. Antenatal care (ANC) is the entry point into the healthcare system for most women, so it is important to understand how ANC affects aspects of women’s sense of control over their pregnancy. We compare pregnancy-related empowerment for women randomly assigned to the standard of care versus CenteringPregnancy-based group ANC (intervention) in two sub-Saharan countries, Malawi and Tanzania.MethodsPregnant women in Malawi (n = 112) and Tanzania (n = 110) were recruited into a pilot study and randomized to individual ANC or group ANC. Retention at late pregnancy was 81% in Malawi and 95% in Tanzania. In both countries, individual ANC, termed focused antenatal care (FANC), is the standard of care. FANC recommends four ANC visits plus a 6-week post-birth visit and is implemented following the country's standard of care. In group ANC, each contact included self- and midwife-assessments in group space and 90 minutes of interactive health promotion. The number of contacts was the same for both study conditions. We measured pregnancy-related empowerment in late pregnancy using the Pregnancy-Related Empowerment Scale (PRES). Independent samples t-tests and multiple linear regressions were employed to assess whether group ANC led to higher PRES scores than individual ANC and to investigate other sociodemographic factors related to pregnancy-related empowerment.ResultsIn Malawi, women in group ANC had higher PRES scores than those in individual ANC. Type of care was a significant predictor of PRES and explained 67% of the variation. This was not so in Tanzania; PRES scores were similar for both types of care. Predictive models including sociodemographic variables showed religion as a potential moderator of treatment effect in Tanzania. Muslim women in group ANC had a higher mean PRES score than those in individual ANC; a difference not observed among Christian women.ConclusionsGroup ANC empowers pregnant women in some contexts. More research is needed to identify the ways that models of ANC can affect pregnancy-related empowerment in addition to perinatal outcomes globally.

Midwives’ experiences of becoming CenteringPregnancy facilitators: A pilot study in Sydney, Australia

A pilot study was undertaken between 2006 and 2008 to explore the feasibility of implementing the CenteringPregnancy model of group antenatal care in Australia. The study was undertaken at two hospital antenatal clinics and two community healthcare centres in southern Sydney. This paper reports on one arm of the pilot study, known as the 'Midwives' Study', which aimed to explore the experiences of the midwives as they moved from providing traditional one-to-one antenatal care to facilitating group antenatal care. The Australian pilot study used Action Research. Eight midwives, the group facilitators, and three researchers formed the Action Research group. A qualitative descriptive approach was undertaken to describe the experiences of the midwives. Data were collected using focus groups, surveys and checklists and analysed using thematic content analysis. The midwives' initial fears and misgivings about undertaking the new role of group antenatal care gave way to a growing confidence in their abilities and group facilitation skills. They appreciated: the benefits of the CenteringPregnancy model for pregnant women; new opportunities to develop positive relationships with women and their colleagues; and the structured support and education throughout all stages of the Action Research process. The midwives were enthusiastic about their experiences of becoming CenteringPregnancy facilitators and described the benefits of this model of care compared to traditional one-to-one antenatal care. Support and education of the midwives through structured Action Research cycles enhanced the effective implementation of this new model.

Findings from a UK feasibility study of the CenteringPregnancy® model

CenteringPregnancy® is a model of group antenatal care which was devised and developed in the United States. A feasibility study was conducted in South East London from 2008 to 2010, to assess if the model could be introduced into NHS settings, if women would be prepared to join a group model of care and to explore the views of the women, their partners and midwives who participated. This was the first time the model had been implemented in the UK. Six antenatal groups, attended by 60 women and their partners and facilitated by 12 midwives, were established for the feasibility study with a seventh group of 8 women and their partners established later to bring the learning together and inform an operational guidance document ( Gaudion and Menka, 2011 ). Women whose pregnancies were classed as low or high risk could opt for group antenatal care at the study site after discussion with a midwife at their antenatal booking visit. Integral components of the CenteringPregnancy model are the evaluations of care which women and their partners are asked to provide in late pregnancy and at one month after the birth of their baby. The midwives who facilitate the groups are also required to complete evaluation forms and to contemporaneously reflect and enhance the care they offer, if this is appropriate. Feedback from these sources, together with an evaluation of the means of learning in the development process, was very positive and has informed the ongoing roll-out of the model at the study site. The potential to conduct randomized controlled trials in the UK to assess the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of group antenatal care compared with individual antenatal care for women in low- and high-risk obstetric populations should now be considered.

Adapting the CenteringPregnancy® model for a UK feasibility study

CenteringPregnancy® is an innovative model of group antenatal care devised and developed in the United States. The model differs from traditional care in that women participate in a social, supportive group process, which develops their knowledge and confidence, and increases their personal and maternal self-efficacy. Following initial studies in the US, the CenteringPregnancy model has been adapted and implemented in a number of studies internationally, with a growing body of evidence of positive results in terms of clinical outcomes, satisfaction with antenatal care, perceived knowledge of issues around pregnancy, birth and parenthood. The background to the development and implementation of the first feasibility study to be conducted in the UK is described. This includes adaptations necessary to comply with national guidance and policy recommendations for NHS maternity care, and midwifery rules and regulations. There is a need for further larger studies to assess if similar positive outcomes could be replicated in the UK maternity settings.