Doula

With Blue Shield of California, Mahmee to Expand Doula Services and Comprehensive Maternal Health Support to Participating Employer Groups

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 9, 2023

As part of Blue Shield’s Maternal Child Health Equity Initiative, the nonprofit health plan has been working with Mahmee to provide a test program for members to receive access to holistic, comprehensive, and always-on maternal health services.

Key Points: 
  • As part of Blue Shield’s Maternal Child Health Equity Initiative, the nonprofit health plan has been working with Mahmee to provide a test program for members to receive access to holistic, comprehensive, and always-on maternal health services.
  • Now, the program is expanding from its regional test in Fresno, Los Angeles, and Sacramento to eight employer groups, including Blue Shield of California employees.
  • “Our current maternal health crisis demands an innovative solution,” said Melissa Hanna, co-founder and CEO at Mahmee.
  • “This is why we are thrilled to expand Mahmee’s services.”
    Through this work, Mahmee and Blue Shield of California aim to uplift historically marginalized communities and reduce racial disparities in maternal health care.

Healthline Awards Maternal Health Grant to National Birth Justice Organization Ancient Song

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 31, 2023

NEW YORK, Oct. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthline Media, the leading digital health and wellness property, today announced a collaboration with Ancient Song, a national birth justice organization working to eliminate maternal and infant mortality and morbidity among low-income Black and Latinx people. The partnership underscores Healthline Media's dedication to improving access to care for all birthing people, especially given that African American, American Indian and Alaskan Native, and Latinx Women are more likely to experience negative outcomes in comparison to White women before, during and after pregnancy.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Oct. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthline Media, the leading digital health and wellness property, today announced a collaboration with Ancient Song, a national birth justice organization working to eliminate maternal and infant mortality and morbidity among low-income Black and Latinx people.
  • We are excited to support Ancient Song as they expand their postpartum services and continue the very important work of birth justice advocacy."
  • "Ancient Song is excited about this opportunity to partner with Healthline and RVO Health to push health equity in New York City," said Chanel Porcia-Albert, founder and chief executive director at Ancient Song.
  • Learn more about the programming here and about Healthline Media's health equity and social impact work in the maternal health space here .

Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center Report: State Policies Cause Dramatic Variation in Child Wellbeing and Family Resilience

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 12, 2023

A new report from early childhood policy experts at Vanderbilt University explains how state policy choices impact family resources—and help offset the impact of many of these national challenges.

Key Points: 
  • A new report from early childhood policy experts at Vanderbilt University explains how state policy choices impact family resources—and help offset the impact of many of these national challenges.
  • Today, the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center released the 2023 State Policy Roadmap , an annual guide for each state to assess the wellbeing of its infants and toddlers, identify evidence-based solutions, and monitor national trends in state policies.
  • The Roadmap ranks each state on the impact state policy choices have on family resources.
  • The 2023 Family Asset Simulation demonstrates striking variation that results from different state choices about minimum wage, child care subsidies, tax credits, and other benefits.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Bracane engage mothers, pregnant women, providers across Texas to capture community voices in maternal, infant health initiative

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023

RICHARDSON, Texas, Sept. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Health equity researchers at Bracane have begun hosting listening sessions to include community voices and experiences into Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas' (BCBSTX) expanded Special Beginnings® initiative aimed at improving maternal and infant health outcomes across the state.

Key Points: 
  • RICHARDSON, Texas, Sept. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Health equity researchers at Bracane have begun hosting listening sessions to include community voices and experiences into Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas ' (BCBSTX) expanded Special Beginnings® initiative aimed at improving maternal and infant health outcomes across the state.
  • Bracane's in-person and virtual listening sessions will continue into the fall and are engaging mothers of all backgrounds and experiences, including pregnant women.
  • As well, Bracane is also conducting focus groups with health care providers as part of BCBSTX's work to identify ways to reduce maternal morbidities, mortalities and health disparities.
  • Upcoming sessions are scheduled for:
    "I started Bracane as a way to reduce barriers and increase access to health care.

Bio-Oil® Launches 'Labor of Love' Campaign with Shawn Johnson East to Honor Labor & Delivery Staff

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023

CINCINNATI, Sept. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bio-Oil® announces the launch of its 'Labor of Love' campaign, a nationwide initiative that celebrates Labor and Delivery teams throughout the month of September, the most popular month for birthdays. This campaign recognizes the enormity of the service, kindness, and selflessness hospital staff – including obstetricians, anesthesiologists, techs, doulas, nurses and more – offer to laboring moms during childbirth, especially during a time of year when delivery rooms are very active.

Key Points: 
  • CINCINNATI, Sept. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bio-Oil® announces the launch of its 'Labor of Love' campaign, a nationwide initiative that celebrates Labor and Delivery teams throughout the month of September, the most popular month for birthdays.
  • This campaign recognizes the enormity of the service, kindness, and selflessness hospital staff – including obstetricians, anesthesiologists, techs, doulas, nurses and more – offer to laboring moms during childbirth, especially during a time of year when delivery rooms are very active.
  • Bio-Oil® has also partnered with Olympic gymnast, entrepreneur, and soon-to-be mother of three, Shawn Johnson East, to surprise the Labor and Delivery staff at Williamson Medical Center, a local hospital in her hometown of Nashville, with custom care packages to support them during this extremely busy time.
  • "As a mom of two kids and one on the way, I know how critical the Labor and Delivery staff are in ensuring both me and my babies are healthy, cared for and supported throughout this important time," said Shawn Johnson East.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas grants $1.2 million to fund March of Dimes' first Texas 'Mom & Baby Mobile Health Center®'

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 21, 2023

HOUSTON, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Taking next steps to bridge gaps in maternal and infant health care access, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) announced today a $1.2 million grant to bring the first March of Dimes Mom & Baby Mobile Health Center® to Texas, which will be Houston-based and launch as early as fall 2024.

Key Points: 
  • "In order to move the needle on maternal and infant health outcomes, it will take a collective effort.
  • Texas women with chronic health conditions have a 43 percent increased likelihood of preterm birth compared to women with none.
  • Overall, women in Texas have a very high vulnerability to adverse outcomes due to the availability of reproductive healthcare services.
  • "Given our 95-year history in Texas, we stand together with the state, community partners and thought leaders finding solutions to improve maternal and infant health outcomes across Texas."

BCBSTX, Huston-Tillotson University announce collaboration aimed at culturally-aligned health care and improving Texas maternal, infant health outcomes

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 14, 2023

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) and Huston-Tillotson University (HT), a historically Black college or university (HBCU), outlined the new Boldly B.L.U.E. program, which stands for birthing, learning, understanding & empowering, to improve Texas maternal & infant health. The program – as part of BCBSTX's expanded Special Beginnings initiative – aims to increase the number of culturally-aligned and diverse doulas, lay midwives and certified lactation consultants in Central Texas while building a maternal health research network that leverages the insights of birth workers and their clients to derive best practices and policy insights.

Key Points: 
  • program, which stands for birthing, learning, understanding & empowering, to improve Texas maternal & infant health.
  • The innovative collaboration between BCBSTX & HT seeks to address significant challenges to maternal health equity in Texas by increasing access to continuous birth support and creating structures and processes that infuse community voice into maternal health research.
  • "Huston-Tillotson University is beyond excited about this major collaboration between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Black Mamas ATX and Healing Hands.
  • "Given our 95-year history in Texas, we stand together with the State, community partners and thought leaders in solving the problem of poor maternal and infant health outcomes across Texas."

Milk Stork Selected as a Good Housekeeping 2023 Best Parenting Awards Winner

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Thanks to its powerful insulation and included ice packs, the Cool Commuter is a reusable breast milk cooler that brings body temperature breast milk down to CDC-approved refrigerated temperatures for safe breast milk storage, and keeps it cold for up to 15 hours!

Key Points: 
  • Thanks to its powerful insulation and included ice packs, the Cool Commuter is a reusable breast milk cooler that brings body temperature breast milk down to CDC-approved refrigerated temperatures for safe breast milk storage, and keeps it cold for up to 15 hours!
  • The EcoStash cooler is Milk Stork's most sustainable, highest capacity, and longest-lasting frozen breast milk shipping solution.
  • of frozen breast milk and keep it frozen for a minimum of 96 hours, it's also reusable!
  • Now, midwives, doulas, lactation consultants, and other experts can earn a commission when they share the convenience and reliability of Milk Stork with pumping parents.

When being a new mum feels overwhelming, here's some expert advice on what you need to know

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Yes, they may love their baby very much but the broader impact of having a baby and becoming a mother can feel far more complex.

Key Points: 
  • Yes, they may love their baby very much but the broader impact of having a baby and becoming a mother can feel far more complex.
  • Research shows that when we look at happiness over our lifetime, the year after having a baby can be one of our lowest points.
  • It’s not about our relationship with our baby but rather the other parts of our lives that have changed so much.
  • We are all tempted to just share the best bits, thinking we need to hide our feelings because we think everyone else is so happy.
  • You might feel trapped, wanting to escape yet at the same time feeling you can’t leave your baby.
  • Sometimes these feelings are linked to physical events during the birth, but often they’re more about how you felt or were treated.

Getting support

    • Many doulas (a person who can support you through pregnancy, labour and birth) also offer help to explore how you are feeling about your birth and caring for your baby.
    • Focus on looking after yourself, too: Your diet, activity levels and time outdoors can all affect how you feel.
    • Try baby massage: It can help you to slow down and connect with your baby.
    • Often mothers experiencing mental health difficulties are highly attuned to their baby’s needs because they are so worried about not getting it right.

Twelve Digital Health Orgs Continue Their Commitment to Health Equity with Violet

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 26, 2023

The partnerships built in 2023 include Culina Health, Hopper Health, Rippl Care, Color Health, Patina Health, Oula, and Uwill, amongst others.

Key Points: 
  • The partnerships built in 2023 include Culina Health, Hopper Health, Rippl Care, Color Health, Patina Health, Oula, and Uwill, amongst others.
  • “We’re excited to partner with Violet to support Culina Health in accelerating access to culturally competent clinical nutrition care,” said Tamar Samuels, co-founder of Culina Health.
  • “With Violet we’ve been able to showcase our commitment to health equity, while growing our quality of care.”
    Since the beginning of this year, Violet has formed twelve new partnerships that will measure inclusivity with Violet Benchmarks and continue to grow with Violet’s proprietary training.
  • Violet has plans to expand further this year, to work with thousands of more providers to support them in their work toward more inclusive health care.