As a mother-to-be, having the right support and resources can make all the difference in a pregnancy. For Nicole, that support came when she joined a free Centering Pregnancy group at Union Community Care.
For seven years, Nicole and her husband struggled with infertility. “I was so frustrated with seeing negative pregnancy tests,” Nicole recalled. “I first came to Union when I suspected I was pregnant.”
Facing Uncertainty
When Union confirmed her pregnancy, she had a moment of pure joy. But it didn’t take long for that happiness to be clouded by uncertainty. With her family miles away and her husband’s work demanding constant travel, Nicole felt the weight of it all.
“I felt alone,” she said. “Without my family close by, I felt like my world was crashing down.”
During that time of uncertainty, she knew she needed more than just medical care—she needed the kind of support that would be person-focused and grounded in community, ensuring that she felt seen, valued, and supported.
Then she found Centering Pregnancy.
How Centering Pregnancy Can Make a Difference
Centering Pregnancy is a model of care that provides mothers-to-be more time with their providers and a chance to connect with other families in a group setting. This approach allows for deeper conversations, more education, and the opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences while receiving expert care.
Nicole wasn’t sure what to expect when she went to her first class. “I thought I’d just go to say I tried,” she said. “But I ended up loving it.” What she found was more than just information about pregnancy—it was a close-knit group of women who shared her challenges and joys.
Staying Connected
The group has stayed connected outside of their regular classes, creating a support system that extended beyond the walls of Union. “We set up a WhatsApp group to share community resources and check in on each other,” Nicole said. “We will go out for meals together, too. And when one of the moms gave birth early, we all came together to support her. It feels like family.”
And with the extra time she spent with her provider through Centering Pregnancy, Nicole has felt reassured that both she and her baby are receiving the best care possible. “As a mother, I want to know everything,” she stated. “I want to know everything about taking care of my baby. I am getting that kind of care through it all.”
Extra Care, Extra Confidence
Through Centering Pregnancy, Nicole and other mothers aren’t just receiving care—they’re building lasting relationships and gaining the confidence to navigate their pregnancies together.
“I was able to meet a new support community,” Nicole explained. “Even though I might have been afraid at first, I now have the confidence, resources, and support to know that I will be a good mom.”
Want To Learn More?
Centering Pregnancy offers free, group-based prenatal care with 10 sessions. Sign up through your provider or care team, or email Centering Coordinator Hailie Gattus for a supportive, community-centered experience.
More about Pregnancy Care
We provide a wide range of pregnancy care, including family planning, healthy pregnancy and birth support, education and guidance, prenatal care, dental care, maternal-child couplet care with your provider after birth, and postpartum care.
