Women's experiences with Centering-Based Group Care in Zhejiang China: A pilot study

The group prenatal care model, which caters to women with low medical needs but high support needs, has become a highly prevalent and innovative approach implemented globally. For Centering-Based Group Care (CBGC) to remain effective, women's evaluations of the quality of care and perspectives about the model are crucial.

This study aimed to describe women's appraisal of CBGC quality and explore the experiences of women in the mixed-methods pilot study conducted in Zhejiang, China.

From August 2021 to December 2022, 20 women provided complete quantitative data using the Quality of Prenatal Care Questionnaire before hospital discharge. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at 6 months postpartum. Qualitative data were analysed using Colaizzi's method.

The mean (standard deviation) total score (of the 5) of the questionnaire was 4.43 (0.1) with a good quality of CBGC. Qualitative research identified five themes: motivations and concerns for participation, the appeal of interactive learning, the development of community ties and social support, healing from psychological trauma with CBGC, and suggestions for CBGC enhancement.

Women rated CBGC quality as good and benefited significantly from it in the study. As a new alternative option, the women's accounts suggested that CBGC performed excellently in enhancing knowledge, strengthening social bonds, and providing psychological support.

CBGC quality cannot be determined based on limited the sample size. This pilot study provides evidence regarding the beneficial effects of knowledge, socialization, and psychological healing on CBGC. Further research is suggested to measure CBGC effectiveness and quality.