Group Prenatal care

tortuga47

Because I'm a low risk pregnancy, my health provider offered group prenatal care. About 10 of us wold meet once a month together with the same midwife. We would still have individual appointments and check ups privately during this time, but during the other time there would be speakers (pain management, breast feeding, baby care and first aid), yoga, massages, and general question and answer periods. It's set up to put us more in control of our health (we'd assist with doing our own charts under medical care) and give us scheduled appointments as well as a built in group / birthing type class. Instead of a 10-15 min in and out appointment, we'd have the full 2 hrs with the same care giver who would birth us. DHs are welcome to attend all classes. This would be INSTEAD of doing office visits once a month.

Did any of you do this for previous pregnancies? Get offered this for this pregnancy? Thoughts? TIA!

mccrazy

I have not personally done it, but a co-worker who is currently about 14 weeks was telling me about it yesterday. She really likes it so far, and has talked to others who like it as well. It sounds like a great way to get information and meet other parents-to-be. She also said that some of the couples remained friends and arranged play dates with their kids later. I plan on asking my ob if they off this since my coworker is with a different group but the same hospital. 

tortuga47

mccrazy:

I have not personally done it, but a co-worker who is currently about 14 weeks was telling me about it yesterday. She really likes it so far, and has talked to others who like it as well. It sounds like a great way to get information and meet other parents-to-be. She also said that some of the couples remained friends and arranged play dates with their kids later. I plan on asking my ob if they off this since my coworker is with a different group but the same hospital. 

Thanks for sharing. I do like the aspect of having a built in support group that is around my same gestational age. I'm glad she's having a positive experience. 

festivusforme

The hospital I'll be using also offers this. It sounds great, but I'm concerned about the timing of appointments. 2 hours is a long time, especially with the drive, and I'd need it to be at the end of the day because of work.

The idea of going through my pregnancy with a "cohort" is really appealing to me. I don't have any friends that are pregnant, so it would be nice to have that social connection. 

garnet10

Sounds like a great idea to me.

g8trkim

Never heard of it, but it sounds pretty cool. My only complaint would be the amount of time it takes.

daronsmommy

I did not do this with my first pregnancy, but will be doing it this time around. I met my MW earlier this week and will have one more appointment with just her before the group sessions start. Groups don't start until 2nd trimester. I like that there will only be 5-10 in my group, but don't know how I feel about 2 hour group sessions.