The founder of an innovative antenatal care program in the USA called Centering Pregnancy is working with the UTS Centre for Midwifery and Family Health to pilot the program in Australia.

Executive Director of the Centering Pregnancy and Parenting Association Sharon Schindler Rising is visiting Sydney to speak with maternity care professionals and help launch the program in the region covered by the South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service (SESIAHS).

The Centre for Midwifery and Family Health, part of the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, has been funded by a grant from the Telstra Foundation to develop, implement and test Centering Pregnancy over two years in the SESIAHS region.

Centre Director Professor Caroline Homer said Centering Pregnancy had been hailed as a new way of building a sense of community and developing networks for pregnant women.

"The program abolishes routine visits and brings women together into small groups for all their pregnancy care," Professor Homer said. "The program incorporates antenatal assessments, education and information and support.

"Women are involved in self-care activities including weight and blood pressure assessment and are able to share their experiences, learn from one another and develop a network of social support that will be invaluable in the new mothering period.

"Studies of Centering Pregnancy in the USA have shown an improvement in the rates of social isolation, premature birth and low birth weight."

Professor Homer said the pilot project would determine the feasibility of undertaking a larger trial of the Centering Pregnancy program in Australia.

"If successful, the study will have significant implications for the way care is provided through pregnancy, especially for women from disadvantaged or vulnerable groups," she said.

"The program has potential benefits for women, families and children and provides an exciting opportunity to take a new direction in antenatal care and support."

The activities around the visit of Sharon Schindler Rising are also helping to mark International Midwives Day 2006, which is on Friday 5 May.