Centering

CenteringPregnancy® is a model of group prenatal care. Women are grouped together by due date month and will receive care together though their pregnancies. Each session will include individual assessments such as weight, blood pressure, and belly checks and the rest of the time is spent in a midwife-facilitated group discussing educational content. Women can learn from other’s questions and experiences and develop relationships with each other that can last beyond the pregnancy. The program provides many benefits.

No waiting room time
Increased time spent with your provider
A support network of other women with similar due dates
Improved pregnancy outcomes
- Decreased incidence of preterm delivery
- Decreased incidence of postpartum depression
- Increased breastfeeding success
- Greater overall patient satisfaction

For additional information visit The Centering Healthcare Institute

Centering FAQs

What can I expect?

Each group is made up of up to 12 women/couples due to deliver within the same month. There are 10 session, each 2 hours long. Meeting times are known in advance and we will provide you will a letter to present to your employer to request the time off work. Approximately 30 minutes will be spent checking your own weight and BP, belly checks and fetal heart tone checks with the midwife, and social time with snacks. The rest of the time will be spent in a group setting discussing what is important to you. Topics include:

Childbirth preparation
Normal pregnancy changes and common discomforts
Nutrition
Infant feeding
Contraception
Infant care

Does CenteringPregnancy® cost any additional money?

No. Centering groups are billed the same as traditional one-on-one prenatal visits so your coverage will be the same as if you were having traditional care. The only additional cost to you is a nominal cost to for the Centering materials.

How often do the Centering groups meet?

The schedule for Centering groups is the same as individual care. We will meet monthly for the first 4 groups and then every 2 weeks for a total of ten groups. Occasionally we have to alter the time interval due to holidays. After 36 weeks you will be seen weekly so every other week will be an individual appointment. We will meet once more for a reunion once everyone has delivered.

Will I meet all the midwives if I do Centering?

Maybe not. We strive to have the same midwife and staff facilitator at all 10 group meetings. Occasionally that is not possible due to illness, vacation, or continuing education so you may have a substitute. You will have the opportunity to meet different midwives at your initial OB appointment, if you are having any problems between groups or cannot attend a scheduled Centering group, and when you start being seen weekly at the end of your pregnancy.

However, even with individual care it is sometimes difficult to meet all the providers. We try our best to make you feel comfortable and typically we bond very quickly over your labor and the excitement of your birth.

What if I cannot attend all the scheduled Centering group?

You will make an appointment for a traditional one-on-one visit that will take the place of the group you will miss. If you know that you will have to miss several groups, it might make more sense for you to have traditional care.

What if I have a problem between scheduled groups?

We are happy to see you for an individual problem visit if needed between Centering groups.

Can I bring my other children to the Centering groups?

No. Childcare is not provided so no children under 13 are to attend Centering groups. We will provide you with the dates of all 10 of your scheduled groups so you can arrange childcare if you wish to participate in Centering.

Can my partner attend Centering groups?

Absolutely! Due to space we ask that you only bring one person and we encourage you to bring the same person to each group if possible. If they cannot stay for the entire time, they can come for the beginning to hear the baby’s heartbeat and ask the midwife questions.

What if I’m still undecided about Centering?

Please call our office (919-678-6900) and ask for more information about Centering and someone will contact you by phone to discuss your questions. You could also commit to attending the first two groups and then decide….you will probably want to stay!

We were honored to receive a hand written note..

Dr. Grana, Angie, Jessica, Heather, April, Sarah and the rest of the staff –

Thank you all so much for taking such good care of me through both of my pregnancies and births, especially my latest one on 10/29! most of yall know how nervous I was from having gone through a lot (to say the least) with my first in 2016. You all made me feel so comfortable and at ease before, during and after. And going through a touch year with my dad, you guys always asked how he was doing at every appointment, which was so thoughtful and beyond your job description. I know that you all see many women go through what i did each and every day and deliver many babies and perform many c-sections. But I hope you know how special Ruby’s delivery was to me. You all have amazing jobs! I cannot thank you all enough. Merry Christmas!

Love, Lucy

I have been going to TP4W since 2010/11 and could not be happier.

The staff, nurses, midwives, and doctors are all amazing. I have 2 sons, both delivered via cesarean by Dr. V. Every visit and every provider did everything in their power to give me the birth experience I wanted, and also ensure that myself and my babies were safe and healthy. Dr. V even did everything in his power to help me avoid my first c-section and VBAC with the second, but that turned out to be out of his hands and he was the absolute best surgeon. With my two pregnancies, I experienced a few scares and some unusual circumstances that would be too long and too private to write in a review, but every single hurdle was handled with grace, honesty, and professionalism. I am so thankful for the recommendation from a friend to come to this office. I can’t imagine ever going to another practice.

TP4W is amazing and I am so very thankful I found them 9 years ago!! Amazing partnership between midwives and doctors, sweet nurses and front end staff, and relaxing environment. I literally recommend them to all my friends! I look forward to my appointments and feel like I’m going to catch up with old friends.

I’ve always had wonderful experiences at TP4W. Everyone is friendly, knowledgeable, and thorough in their care. April delivered my son and I can’t say enough wonderful things about her. She is patient and compassionate. I had the best labor and delivery experience thanks to her. I do and will continue to recommend them to my friends and family!

I have been seeing Dr. Grana for just about 4 years now and I must admit that she has been the very best OB I have ever had! She is so personable, friendly, and all around caring about her patients. I’ve never had any issues with the staff, the office is very clean, and if Dr. Grana is running behind, they let me know ahead of time. I highly recommend Dr. Grana and this office to anyone!

I was referred here by my family doctor. I had found out I was pregnant with my first child later last year and had the most difficult time scheduling an appointment at my last OB/GYN Doctor. I was on the verge of tears because I didn’t know what my next steps were and thank goodness I was referred to Triangle Physicians for Women. The service is amazing every appointment I’ve had and they are so organized and have made me feel so comfortable. I have to thank them for making this pregnancy so much smoother and less stressful than it would have been had I stayed with my previous doctor. I highly recommend this place!