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Am J Perinatol
DOI: 10.1055/a-2807-4439
Original Article

Delivery Outcomes after Centering versus Routine Prenatal Care

Authors

  • Sarah H. Kelly

    1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, United States

  • Joel Agarwal

    1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, United States

  • Ilya Goldstein

    1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, United States

  • Dahsan Gary

    1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, United States

  • Alyssa Wynne

    1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, United States

  • Alexander Friedman

    1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, United States
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Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study was to compare delivery outcomes among women in Northern Manhattan undergoing Centering versus routine prenatal care.

Study Design

This retrospective cohort study analyzed prenatal care and delivery hospitalizations among women receiving prenatal care at two ambulatory clinics in Northern Manhattan from 2013 to 2018. The exposure of interest was Centering versus routine prenatal care. The primary outcome of interest was preterm birth <37 weeks. Other clinical outcomes analyzed included number of prenatal visits, birth weight including very low birth weight (<1,500 g), cesarean versus vaginal delivery, and preterm birth at <32 weeks. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models (accounting for demographic factors) were performed to analyze the association between the exposure of Centering prenatal care and the primary outcome with unadjusted (OR) and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) as measures of association.

Results

A total of 714 women undergoing Centering prenatal care and 9,469 women undergoing traditional prenatal care were included in the analysis. Evaluating the primary outcome of preterm birth at <37 weeks, Centering was associated with a 5.9% risk of preterm birth compared to 7.1% with routine prenatal care (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.53–1.30). Centering prenatal care was also not significantly associated with very low birth weight (OR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.1–1.7), birth weight <2,500 g (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.40, 1.06), or preterm birth at 32 to 36 weeks (OR = 1.0, 95% CI: 0.8, 1.2). Centering prenatal care was associated with lower odds of cesarean delivery (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.60–0.84) and more frequent prenatal visits.

Conclusion

Centering prenatal care was associated with lower likelihood of cesarean delivery and more frequent prenatal visits, while likelihood of preterm birth and low birth weight were not significantly more or less likely with Centering.

Key Points

  • Centering prenatal care was associated with lower likelihood of cesarean delivery.

  • Centering prenatal care was associated with more frequent prenatal visits.

  • Preterm birth and low birth weight were not significantly more or less likely with Centering.

Keywords

centering - prenatal care - group prenatal care - obstetric outcomes

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.




Publication History

Received: 04 December 2025

Accepted: 05 February 2026

Accepted Manuscript online:
09 February 2026

Article published online:
24 February 2026

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