#  CenteringPregnancy: Supportive Prenatal Care 

 

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## Group Visits That Support You and Your Baby

With [Centering](/departments/obstetrics-and-gynecology/obstetrics/patient-resources/centering-pregnancy "Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology: Division of Obstetrics: CenteringPregnancy | Boston Medical Center"), you can have your prenatal visits in a respectful, nonjudgmental, and comfortable group setting. Here, you have time to ask questions, learn more about your health, pregnancy, and birth, and connect with others who are going through similar experiences.

### What Is Centering?

Centering brings together 8–12 people who share similar due dates for their prenatal visits. Each group meets 10–12 times during pregnancy and gathers again for a visit and celebration after the babies are born.

During each visit, you have one-on-one time with your provider to hear your baby’s heartbeat, and ask private questions. The rest of the session focuses on pregnancy-related topics and shared learning.

You will also:

- Take a tour of [Labor and Delivery](/departments/obstetrics-and-gynecology/obstetrics/labor-delivery-and-postpartum-care "Labor, Delivery, and Postpartum Care | Boston Medical Center")
- Prepare for birth with childbirth education
- Learn about nutrition in the [Teaching Kitchen](/nourishing-our-community/teaching-kitchen "The Teaching Kitchen | Boston Medical Center")
- Receive breastfeeding education and support
- Build social support and friendships

### How Is Centering Different from Individual Prenatal Care?

- **No waiting:** Check in and go directly to the Centering room to start your visit. Each group starts and ends on time.
- **Snacks:** Enjoy snacks at each Centering visit.
- **Fun:** Centering visits are not classes—they’re interactive and focused on the topics that matter most to you.
- **Support:** Special bonds form in Centering. Many people say it feels like a group of friends sharing common experiences and supporting each other through pregnancy, birth, and parenting.
- **More time with your provider:** Each Centering visit lasts two hours, giving you about ten times more time with your provider than a regular visit.
- **Privacy:** Your personal health information is always private. You choose what to share with the group.
- **Proven benefits:** Studies show that people who participate in Centering have lower rates of preterm birth and healthier birth weights.
- **Self-confidence:** People who participate in Centering often feel more prepared for labor, birth, and parenting and more satisfied with their care.

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