Transcultural Modifications of a Japanese Language Group Prenatal Care Program for Transcultural Adaptation

The CenteringPregnancy model has been demonstrated to improve birth outcomes for certain cultural and ethnic groups, but the literature lacks examples on how to modify their guidelines for socioculturally isolated women. Our aim is to examine the modifications we made to the CenteringPregnancy group prenatal care for Japanese women and to examine the implications for transcultural modification.

Using a descriptive case study design, we examined the cultural fit and modifications of our Japanese prenatal group approach. We report the aspects that do not require modifications and the transcultural modifications that are needed. Based on this descriptive case, we discuss the lessons learned for making transcultural modifications that may apply to other cultural groups.

Many aspects of the CenteringPregnancy were readily adopted. We made 10 substantive transcultural modifications and articulate considerations for transcultural modifications.

This research illustrates transcultural considerations for modifying the CenteringPregnancy model and provides implications for use in other isolated populations of pregnant women.