Pregnancy and Parenting Circles

Everything you need to know about implementing pregnancy and parenting circles in the UK

Here you’ll find practical tools and implementation resources for Pregnancy Circles and Parenting Circles. You will find guidance on group facilitation skills, opportunities for training and train‑the‑trainer development, and access to a growing community of practice where you can learn from others across the UK and around the world.

These resources are for everyone interested or involved in delivering, supporting, or studying group care in maternity and early parenting. This includes NHS maternity service managers, midwives, health visitors, family support workers, student midwives and health visitors, and health care students, as well as international group care facilitators and implementation teams, whether you are new to group care or already helping to lead it in your community.

You can also stay up to date with the latest research on group care, including work from REACH (Research for Equitable Care and Health) and GC_1000 (Group Care in the First Thousand Days). Whether you’re looking for evidence, inspiration, or practical steps to support implementation, this hub connects you with what’s happening in Pregnancy Circles, and Parenting Circles, across the UK and beyond.

What are pregnancy circles?

Pregnancy (and parenting) circles are a model of group antenatal (and/or postnatal) care. The Pregnancy Circles model brings together around 8-12 pregnant women who are at similar stages in pregnancy for clinical care, information-sharing and social support.

Pregnancy Circles aim to provide a woman-centered, community environment for antenatal care.