Centering Pregnancy group care or individual care? Examining factors of prenatal care decision

Abstract

Background: CenteringPregnancy (CP) is interactive group-based prenatal care that had positive effects on perinatal outcomes. However, some women decide to quit or refuse to participate in CP. This study examines factors important in deciding to participate, reject or quit CP. Methods: The sample consisted of 196 pregnant women that were invited to participate in CP. At 28-weeks pregnancy they were asked whether they participated and reasons for non-participation. At 12-weeks pregnancy, demographic, psychosocial, and lifestyle factors were asked. Results: At 28-weeks pregnancy 33% started CP and 67% did not. Of CP-participants, 6 women quitted. Compared to CP-rejecters, stress was higher among both CP-participants and CP-quitters (respectively, p = .031; p = .026). Active and problem focused coping was stronger among CP-participants than CP-rejecters (respectively, p = .013, p = .029). Reasons for non-participation differed between CP-rejecters and CP-quitters (p = .011). CP-rejecters often disliked a group (39%), while CP-quitters were more varied. Conclusion: Coping behavior and exposure to stress appear to be important in the decision regarding CP-participation and need attention when motivating pregnant women in starting with CP.