Expectant parents at UCLA Health are finding support and education through a group-based prenatal care program called CenteringPregnancy. The initiative, run by the UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology department, brings together individuals at similar stages of pregnancy for joint appointments, providing opportunities to learn from both health professionals and peers.
MK Malone, who participated in the program during her pregnancy, said it was a valuable experience. “I don’t have other friends who were going through a pregnancy at the time,” Malone said. “So, it was invaluable to have this group and to see what people were curious or scared of.”
She added that the environment encouraged her to ask questions she might not have otherwise raised. “The most valuable thing I got out of it was learning not to be afraid to ask questions and advocate for myself, even if I don’t know exactly what I want,” she said. “For example, I could ask why someone would go on Pitocin (to induce labor). I could freely ask what that would do or feel like.”
According to Dr. Zapata, an obstetrician-gynecologist with UCLA Health, the program is designed so participants can build peer connections while receiving prenatal care in a format that differs from traditional brief office visits. “It’s different from traditional care where the pregnant person has brief visits with their health care provider,” Dr. Zapata said. “This can be an isolating experience, including postpartum.”
CenteringPregnancy groups meet 10 times between 12 and 16 weeks of pregnancy until birth. Sessions last two hours and include both one-on-one time with providers and group discussions covering topics such as stress management, breastfeeding, birthing processes, postpartum planning, depression awareness, choosing pediatricians, relationship navigation, and returning to work.
Dr. Zapata noted that phones are set aside during sessions so patients can focus on self-assessment activities like checking weight and blood pressure while documenting their experiences in journals.
The structure intentionally includes members who are slightly ahead in their pregnancies so they can share insights about upcoming milestones.
Nastaran Sajedi joined CenteringPregnancy after conceiving via IVF and found reassurance among others facing similar uncertainties: “Because of my age and situation, I was worried it might fail,” she said. “But being a part of this group made me feel safe and supported. It motivated me to keep going. I understood that every parent has the same fears and feelings about their children and that I was not alone.”
In March 2025, UCLA Health launched its first Centering Black Pregnancy cohort aimed at addressing disparities affecting Black women’s maternal health outcomes by fostering trust within a supportive community setting.
“We look at disparities known to occur for Black women, including when it comes to pre-term birth and lack of resources for breastfeeding,” Dr. Nicholas said. “Our goal with this program is to build trust and empowerment, improve outcomes, help with stress management, housing and food insecurity and just being able to facilitate discussions in a safe and open forum. This can help reduce isolation and prepare them to embrace a positive experience.”
Dr. Nicholas emphasized the importance of focusing on those most affected by complications: “When we focus on those who are the most deeply afflicted, it elevates the standard of care for everyone,” she said. “Nobody will lose, and everybody will gain.”
Insurance covers CenteringPregnancy sessions as standard prenatal visits at UCLA Health facilities.
“I’d like to see it be available at multiple sites,” Dr. Zapata said. “I feel that patients in these groups have developed much deeper connections with their health care providers than they would in a traditional setting. They’ve gotten a lot of questions answered and they just seem so ready.”
A pilot program supporting people experiencing menopause recently completed its first cycle using the same model.
