Initiation of Group Prenatal Care in the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment

Poster PresentationPurpose for the ProgramGroup prenatal care has been piloted in the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment as an intervention designed to improve psychosocial outcomes in a high‐risk population. The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment is a unique, referral‐based program for women whose pregnancies are complicated by prenatally diagnosed fetal anomalies. These women receive prenatal care and give birth in the same facility where their neonates receive postnatal care. This intervention is based on the premise that group care is most effective and efficient when groups are facilitated rather than taught.Proposed ChangeGroup prenatal care at the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment represents a care delivery system that is an alternative to the medical illness model of pregnancy and encompasses care for the fetus and mother. Applying principles from the Centering Pregnancy model, sessions consist of health assessment, education, and support for four to six expectant mothers with high‐risk pregnancies and their support persons in a group setting, facilitated by a midwife and a nurse. This is the first time this model of care is being piloted with this patient population.Implementation, Outcomes, and EvaluationFive cohorts, each including four to six women and their support persons, received their last 4 weeks of prenatal care within the group setting. Evaluations have been conducted using questionnaires and focus groups. Results indicated a high ...
Source: Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Childbearing Source Type: research