This study aims to evaluate levels of inflammatory markers and genetic indicators of stress an inflammation in the placentas and umbilical cord blood in pregnancies that undergo group prenatal care as compared to traditional prenatal care. The investigators know that women receiving group prenatal care have fewer spontaneous preterm deliveries. What is not known is the mechanism behind this difference. By collecting umbilical cord blood samples and placentas of 40 women at the time of delivery, the investigators hope to study expression of stress-related genes and levels of inflammatory markers at the maternal-fetal interface.
Objective of study is to explore expression of stress-related genes and inflammation in placentas and umbilical cord blood for women participating in group prenatal care compared with women receiving individual prenatal care.