Small Group Prenatal Care at AHN

Group prenatal care from CenteringPregnancy®, offered at select AHN offices, helps you feel more prepared for labor, delivery, and infant care.

Instead of attending your prenatal care appointments on your own, you’ll join a small group of other expecting parents for a longer session. This extra time gives you the chance to talk, get answers to questions, and connect with others due around the same time.

What happens during a prenatal office visit with CenteringPregnancy

At each of your ten recommended prenatal care visits, you skip the waiting room and go right to your group session.

Each session takes place in a private, comfortable room and lasts between 90 minutes and two hours. During each session, you’ll check your vitals and have time to meet one-on-one with your provider. Then, you’ll talk with your group and get answers to questions while you enjoy drinks and snacks. You’ll also learn from guest speakers like doulas and lactation consultants.

Conversation topics include:

Each of these prenatal care appointments follows the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) practice guidelines.

Benefits of group prenatal care visits

CenteringPregnancy has benefits for both you and your baby, including:

• Better health outcomes. The CenteringPregnancy model is nationally recognized and has been shown to improve a wide range of birth outcomes, including lowering the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. CenteringPregnancy participants also report more success with breastfeeding.
• More confidence. CenteringPregnancy helps you stay actively engaged in your prenatal care so that you’re better prepared for labor, delivery, and infant care. You’ll feel more confident understanding what is normal during pregnancy and what is cause for concern.
• More time with your provider. CenteringPregnancy sessions are ten times longer than traditional prenatal care appointments. This gives your OB-GYN or midwife plenty of time to answer your questions and provide support.
• Support and friendship. Group members lean on and learn from each other as they go through pregnancy together. Many members make lasting friendships during these sessions.

Contact us

AHN offers CenteringPregnancy at the following locations:

• Federal North Medical Office Building
• West Penn Hospital

If you are interested in participating, please speak to your OB-GYN or contact us at (412) 578-5840, option 3.