Group Prenatal Care

An in-depth, interactive approach to prenatal care at Cooley Dickinson OBGYN & Midwifery

Check-ups, support and education in a group setting, where partners and co-parents are encouraged to attend!

Each group starts when folks are between 20-26 weeks and finishes when they are 32-38 weeks pregnant. Each session includes group discussion, and time to ask questions. The first half hour is belly checks with a provider, followed by activities, facilitated discussions, and time for questions.

Why Group Prenatal Care?

• Get to know other expectant parents
• Create a support network for pregnancy and beyond
• Opportunities to share and discuss pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting
• Seven, every-other-week sessions replace individual prenatal appointments while the session is running
• Two-hour sessions that start and end promptly
• Meet with the same provider each session

From a Recent Patient:

“We opted into Group Prenatal Care in the second trimester, as a way to meet other parents-to-be and have more time with the midwives. It was a very positive experience. During one particularly memorable meeting about halfway through the six bi-weekly sessions, we talked about how to ask for and receive help postpartum, and the emotional landscape during this time. It was meaningful to hear that other pregnant people and their partners were having similar feelings– dealing with similar choices, experiences, highs and lows. And the icing on the cake: the crew of babies! I will always cherish the memory of our joyous cohort reunion, with nine fresh humans in tow.”

– Melissa, 34, Mom of Lucy, 4 months at the time of writing (click here to read the full testimonial) 

2024 Group Schedule

Group 1: Midwife Tara Starling  |  For due dates between 3/11/24 and 4/21/24
December 7, 21, January 4, 18, February 1, 15, 29 (Thursdays, 6 – 8 pm)

Group 2: Midwife Rachel Marino  |  For due dates between 4/22/24 and 6/2/24
January 10, 24, February 7, 21, March 6, 20, April 3 (Wednesdays, 6 – 8 pm)

Group 3: Midwife Sara Eggemeier  |  For due dates between 6/3/24 and 7/14/24
February 28, March 13, 27, April 10, 24, May 8, 22 (Wednesdays, 6 – 8 pm)

Group 4: Midwife Amy Walker  |  For due dates between 7/15/24 and 8/25/24
April 17, May 1, 15, 29, June 12, 26, July 10 (Wednesdays, 6 – 8 pm)

Group 5: Midwife Tara Starling  |  For due dates between 8/26/24 and 10/6/24
May 16, 30, June 13, 27, July 11, August 1, 15 (Thursdays, 6 – 8 pm)

Group 6: Midwife Rachel Marino  |  For due dates between 10/7/24 and 11/17/24
June 20, July 3, 17, 31, August 14, 28, September 11 (Wednesdays, 6 – 8 pm)

Group 7: Midwife Sara Eggemeier  |  For due dates between 11/18/24 and 12/29/24
August 7, 21, September 4, 18, October 2, 16, 30 (Wednesdays, 6 – 8 pm)

Group 8: Midwife Amy Walker  |  For due dates between 12/30/24 and 2/2/25
September 25, October 9, 23, November 6, 20, December 4, 18 (Wednesdays, 6 – 8 pm)

To Register

Ask our front desk team to schedule you at your next appointment, or call us at 413-586-9866.

Questions?

Email Grace at obgynmidwiferyprograms@cooleydickinson.org with your name and due date. Use the subject “Group Prenatal Care.”