CenteringPregnancy offers an innovative approach to prenatal care
CenteringPregnancy is a model of care that integrates routine prenatal care and extra education about health, pregnancy and parenting within a group setting. It brings together moms due at the same time for discussion and interactive activities designed to address health topics including nutrition, common discomforts, stress management, labor and delivery, breastfeeding and infant care.
In Michigan, there are currently 35 CenteringPregnancy sites and three CenteringParenting sites.
Grassroots efforts address local needs
Michigan Perinatal Quality Collaboratives are a network of diverse partners working to improve outcomes for mothers and babies. Nine regional perinatal quality collaboratives bring together health care professionals, community partners, families, faith-based organizations, Great Start Collaboratives, home visiting agencies and others to address clinical care and environment, socioeconomic factors and health-related behaviors.
In FY24, the collaboratives identified key areas to focus on within their respective regions and provided $5 million in grant funds to 141 community-based projects. These projects spanned across all four priority areas of the Advancing Healthy Births plan, supporting breastfeeding, access to doula services, infant safe sleep education, increased access to prenatal and postpartum care, behavioral and mental health support and community health workers.
In FY25, the collaboratives are providing another $5 million for additional community-based projects. In addition, each region is focusing on improving cardiac care in pregnant and postpartum patients.
Improving care at birthing hospitals
The Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (MI AIM) equips hospitals with best practices, including protocols and staff education, that make birth safer, improve maternal health outcomes and save lives. Currently, 89% of the state’s birthing hospitals are participating in MI AIM, with more than 80% implementing both hypertension and hemorrhage patient safety bundles.
In FY24, Michigan birthing hospitals were provided funding to apply to The Joint Commission’s Maternal Levels of Care (MLC) Verification Program, resulting in 53 of Michigan’s 75 birthing hospitals applying to the program.
For more information about programs to improve the health and well-being of women, infants, families and communities, visit MDHHS’ Maternal & Infant Health webpage.
