In pursuit of a community-informed group prenatal care model for telehealth use

Abstract

Group prenatal care is increasingly being used to improve maternal and infant physical and mental health outcomes. We assessed COVID-19–related changes in prenatal care, economic circumstances, and social needs of low-income pregnant and parenting persons to inform adapting a group prenatal care program enhanced with education, care coordination, and other support for use with telehealth. This study offers tangible ways to design and enhance telehealth group prenatal care to address the priorities identified by low-income families while incorporating limitations and requirements of medical care delivery systems. Telehealth group prenatal care programs can be implemented to increase access to health care, resources, and social connection during and after the pandemic.