CenteringZorg is celebrating its 10th anniversary in the Netherlands this year. TNO has introduced this model of care in the Netherlands, where pregnant women receive antenatal care in groups and the participants have an active role and input. Approximately 13,000 women take advantage of this maternity assistance each year. Research shows that this leads to positive effects on the health of mother and baby.
CenteringZorg
TNO recognized the potential of the Centering model of care to improve care for pregnant women. The healthcare model emerged in the United States in 2010. Midwife and TNO researcher Marlies Rijnders discovered centering and introduced it in the Netherlands. In 2011, TNO and the Royal Dutch Organization of Midwives (KNOV) started a first pilot project in three midwifery practices.
Marlies Rijnders of TNO: “More than 220 midwifery practices have now been trained to offer the Centering model of care, the number of youth health organizations using the same approach is growing and CenteringZorg is an indicator of good care within the Ministry of the ‘Promising Start’ programme, Welfare and Sport.
Effectiveness of the Centering care model
Approximately 13,000 women use the Centering model of care each year.
“We have been studying the effects of this treatment method for years,” says Marlies Rijnders. “This demonstrates that (compared to pregnant women who receive individual care) pregnant women at CenteringZorg are less likely to have high blood pressure and consume less alcohol during pregnancy and postpartum. These pregnant women are also starting to breastfeed more often and there’s a trend to smoke less.”
An economic evaluation of TNO in 2021 showed that CenteringZorg produces health benefits and is affordable.
Centering in the near future
In early 2023, a pilot project with centering group assistance for parents with young children will start at three AZC locations in the Netherlands. This includes examining: how, despite people’s different backgrounds, it is still possible to create group cohesion; what effects CenteringZorg has in these groups; and whether this model of assistance can also be used at refugee sites in other parts of Europe.
In addition, TNO has received a European grant for the implementation of CenteringZorg during the first thousand days of the child in seven countries:
- Ghana;
- Suriname;
- South Africa;
- Kosovo;
- Belgium;
- United Kingdom;
- vulnerable groups in the Netherlands.
Rijnders: “We are now looking into the extent to which eHealth can be integrated into Centering groups. TNO continues to actively contribute to good healthcare by involving clients much more actively, so that they develop more knowledge and this lays the foundation for a lifelong support network.
Anniversary Congress
On Friday 18 November, the 10th anniversary of CenteringZorg in the Netherlands will be celebrated at the Apenheul in Apeldoorn, with various sessions and an exhibition.
Learn more about CenteringZorg at www.centeringzorg.nl
