Updates in group prenatal care research

Group prenatal care (GPC) has emerged as an alternative to traditional prenatal care designed to improve clinical outcomes, patient engagement, and education. Given the rapid increase in recent literature, an updated synthesis is necessary to evaluate its effectiveness across maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Recent studies demonstrate that GPC consistently improves patient engagement, health knowledge, empowerment, and selected health behaviors. Mental health outcomes generally improve over time, with no consistent between-group differences. Evidence for perinatal outcomes remains heterogeneous, with some studies reporting improvements in clinical outcomes, particularly among high-risk populations. Breastfeeding outcomes are mixed, with improvements in motivation but inconsistent effects on initiation. Attendance appears to be a key driver of effectiveness, with greater attendance linked to improved outcomes. Recent studies highlight the importance of fidelity, suggesting that variability in program delivery may contribute to inconsistent findings and should be considered a key determinant of GPC effectiveness.

GPC represents a promising model of prenatal care that enhances engagement and psychosocial outcomes, though its impact on clinical outcomes remains variable. Optimizing fidelity, improving attendance, and targeting high-risk populations will be critical to maximizing its effectiveness and informing broader integration into prenatal care systems.