CenteringCare

Centering Care at 040verloskunde

Centering Pregnancy – also known as Centering Pregnancy – is a form of obstetric care in which pregnant women play a central and active role. Within the group meetings, medical check-ups take place. In addition, the women, who are due around the same time, talk extensively about pregnancy, health, lifestyle, childbirth and baby time. Read more about CenteringZorg.

In the regular care pathway, you attend several checkups alone or with your partner. This is different with CenteringPregnancy, because there you have 2-hour meetings for both medical checkups and information with pregnant women who are as far along in pregnancy as you are. The pregnant women who have had their antenatal care in these groups are very enthusiastic about it. Within 040verloskunde you can make your own choice which type of care you want in your pregnancy. We regularly start new groups in Dutch and English.

What does CenteringPregnancy entail?

• 10 to 12 women with the same gestational age meet at the practice for pregnancy consultations.
• In it, you are given a greater role in your own care process such as measuring your own blood pressure, weighing and keeping your own records.
• Each group of pregnant women meets 9 times according to an established schedule.
• The meetings last much longer (120 minutes) than the usual individual consultation. As a result, the contact time during the meeting between the midwife and you as the pregnant woman is much greater and it is more possible to discuss more and more extensively factors that affect your pregnancy and the health of you and your child.
• We have Dutch and English speaking Centering groups.

Pregnant together

• A group is accompanied by two regular people; a regular midwife from our practice and another health care provider. This second companion is necessary because then during the consultation your medical prenatal check-up is also done by the midwife.
• Your partner is also welcome to attend the first part of the meeting. It is usually agreed with the group when there are partner meetings, and of course it is no problem if your partner joins the part of the meeting where your medical check-up takes place.

What is unique about the CenteringZorg method is the group dynamic. All those present, including both facilitators, have their own input, support each other and complement each other. Discussing the concerns, experiences and questions of pregnant women in a group setting encourages them to ask questions that concern them. It also creates the opportunity to form friendships, networks and support structures.