What is Centering Pregnancy (group care) in The Hague?

What exactly is group care?

At Centering Pregnancy you meet ten times with a group of approximately 8 to 12 pregnant women who are about the same age as you. Each meeting lasts approximately two hours and is supervised by one of our midwives. You will receive the same medical checks per meeting as with individual care (blood pressure, hearing your heartbeat, having your stomach measured), only they are now carried out in the same room as the group, and with more time for explanation.

The extra time, and that is the gist, is used for deepening. Each meeting focuses on a theme: nutrition, sleep, mental peace, preparing for childbirth, breastfeeding, the maternity week, bonding, and more. Not a frontal lesson, but a conversation in the group.

Why do women choose group care?

Feedback from women who participated, and international research, shows the same benefits over and over again:

• More time per check. 2 hours per meeting compared to approximately 15 minutes for an individual check. No rushed feeling.
• Exploration of themes. Topics that often remain undiscussed in individual audits are given space here.
• Recognition among other pregnant women. Other women often experience the same thing as you. That gives peace and perspective.
• Better prepared for childbirth. Research shows that women in group care often feel better prepared.
• Sometimes continued contact after pregnancy. Many groups stay in touch after the birth, which is a nice side effect.

Who is Centering Pregnancy suitable for?

Actually for everyone. First or subsequent pregnancy, young or older, with or without a partner, it doesn't matter. What does play a role is your character and wishes:

• Do you enjoy talking to others about what you are experiencing?
• Do you want more time than a short individual consultation offers?
• Do you need topics that go beyond just the medical?

If you say yes three times, group care is probably a good fit for you. Are you in doubt? Do the short one selection aid on our homepage and we will discuss it together during your first appointment.

When is group care not the right choice?

Some women clearly prefer strictly individual guidance, for example because they value the privacy of a one-on-one conversation, or because they do not want to share their data in a group setting. That is excellent, in which case you choose our regular individual care. At Femme, both forms are welcome and equal.

What does a meeting look like?

A meeting usually starts with a walk-in, coffee/tea and catching up. Then we do the checks. This happens in the same room, behind a curtain, so that it remains private but the group continues as usual. Then an interactive part around the theme of that week, with room for your questions and experiences. We conclude with a short reflection.

Practical at Femme in The Hague

At Femme we offer Centering Pregnancy for clients who register early in their pregnancy. When you register you can indicate your preference for group care. We will then schedule you in a group that suits your due date. The first meeting is usually around 14 to 16 weeks of pregnancy.

Group care is reimbursed by basic insurance, just like individual midwifery care.