Centering Pregnancy is a form of pregnancy care where you meet other expectant women of similar due dates. What it is, how it works, and whether it’s right for you.
Centering Pregnancy is a form of group care during pregnancy. You meet 10 times in a group of around 8 women with similar due dates. Each meeting includes the same medical check-ups as individual care (blood pressure, hearing the heartbeat) plus extended time for discussion and learning.
It originated in the USA in the 1990s and has been used in the Netherlands for years. At Femme, midwife Heleen leads our Centering Pregnancy groups.
| Individual | Centering |
|---|---|
| 10–15 min check-up | 2-hour group session |
| One-on-one with midwife | Group of ~8 women |
| Topics on the fly | Topics planned per session |
| Limited time for questions | Ample discussion time |
| Private moments | Shared experience |
Centering Pregnancy fits women who want more time and depth. Many love the connection with other expectant women — especially first-time mothers who don’t yet know many other pregnant women in their circle.
It’s less suited if you really prefer private one-on-one care, or if your schedule can’t accommodate fixed group times.
Centering Pregnancy is fully covered by Dutch basic health insurance, the same as individual midwifery care. There’s no extra cost.
Group sessions are currently held in Dutch. If you’re interested but unsure about the language, get in touch — we sometimes have mixed-language groups, and we’ll discuss what works for you.
You can mention your interest in Centering Pregnancy when you register, or discuss it at your first appointment. We’ll explain how it works and you can decide whether it fits.
Register with Femme — we’ll call you within one working day.
