Researchers: Natalya Bilenko¹, Michael Gdalevich²

Background: The conventional approach to prenatal care includes individual-routine follow-up. The group prenatal care model emphasizes risk assessment, education, and support within a group setting. The model is set to improved follow-up quality, and pregnancy outcomes.

Objectives: To assess feasibility and effectiveness of group prenatal care for low-risk pregnant women.

Method: Semi-randomized open controlled community clinical trial was conducted at selected women's "Clalit Health Services" clinics. The study included 123 women. The group follow-up included 59 women and the individual follow-up (control) included 64 women.

Findings: Out of 269 women who gave verbal consent to participate in the study, 126 (47%) came to the meeting set to sign the informed consent. In the group-care, the rate of arrival was higher than the individual-care (64% vs 37%, respectively). A total of 8 follow-up groups were opened during the study period with a drop-out rate of 11.6% from the group-care. In the group-care, we found higher response rates for nurse's sessions and pregnancy-related tests compared to the individual care as well as higher rates of improvement in knowledge. There were no differences in birth outcomes between the two groups.

Conclusions: The "joint" follow-up experience was very positive both for the women and for the nurse leading the group. The group is a shared, common experience. A woman that is interested in the experience will enjoy it and learn a lot.

Recommendations: To conduct follow-up research for economic evaluation and cost-effectiveness of the program.

Research end date: 03/2018