Group midwifery care for Black pregnant women

Black Midwives for Black Women: Maternity Care to Improve Trust and Attenuate Structural Racism

Not applicable Interventional University of Illinois at Chicago · NCT05365815

This study is testing if group prenatal care with Black midwives can help Black pregnant women feel more trusted and engaged compared to regular individual care.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment432 (estimated)
Ages15 Years to 49 Years
SexFemale
SponsorUniversity of Illinois at Chicago Academic / other
Locations1 site (Chicago, Illinois)
Trial IDNCT05365815 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Melanated Group Midwifery Care (MGMC) in improving trust and engagement among Black birthing individuals. Participants will be randomized to receive either MGMC, which involves group prenatal care with a Black midwife and support from a Black care coordinator and postpartum doula, or standard individualized obstetric care. The study will assess patient experiences through validated surveys and qualitative interviews at multiple time points during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The goal is to understand how this intervention can enhance maternal care patterns and patient engagement.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are Black pregnant women who are less than 20 weeks pregnant and are receiving care at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions requiring higher-level obstetric care or cognitive impairments that affect informed consent may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve trust and engagement in maternity care for Black women, leading to better health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of MGMC is novel, similar group care models have shown promise in improving maternal health outcomes in other populations.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria for patients:

* pregnant women who self-identify as Black on a standard prenatal intake form
* less than 20 weeks pregnant
* 15 years old or older
* present to the general obstetrics group at the University of Chicago Medical Center for their new prenatal visit
* speak and understand English

Inclusion criteria for providers:

• All black midwives, care coordinators, and community postpartum doulas at the University of Chicago are eligible to participate.

Exclusion criteria for patients:

* having a condition for which they present to a higher level of obstetrics care (e.g., maternal fetal medicine) for their new prenatal visit
* having a cognitive issue that impairs their ability to give informed consent.

Where this trial is running

Chicago, Illinois

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Pregnancy ComplicationsMaternal Care PatternsPatient Engagement
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.