Alma Care Partners with Twig Fertility for Postpartum Support

Alma Care, a Canadian company, provides in-home postpartum services with certified night nurses, doulas, and perinatal support workers. Their offerings include lactation consulting, mental health support, and education on infant care and postpartum recovery. Twig Fertility patients who complete their "Extended Pregnancy Program" will receive a $200 credit toward Alma Care's in-home services. This partnership aims to address significant gaps in postpartum support, a period often called the "fourth trimester." Twig Fertility extends its care for patients up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, beyond the typical nine weeks offered by many fertility clinics. The collaboration provides a continuum of care, connecting fertility treatment with hands-on postpartum support at home. The demand for professionals like nurse-midwives is projected to grow significantly, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasting a 35% increase in employment from 2024 to 2034. This growth is set against a backdrop of a global shortage of nearly one million midwives, which impacts the quality of care for mothers and infants. For midwifery students in Virginia, recent policy changes are noteworthy. In 2025, a new law (HB1923) will take effect, mandating that private insurers and Medicaid reimburse Licensed Certified Midwives and Licensed Midwives at the same rate as Certified Nurse-Midwives for the same services. This move toward pay parity is intended to strengthen the midwifery workforce and improve maternal health access, particularly in underserved areas. Innovations in the field include the rise of digital health platforms, which are increasingly integrated into midwifery practice. These tools, from telehealth consultations to remote monitoring, help expand access to care, facilitate communication between providers, and offer educational resources to new parents. Postpartum doulas play a distinct and supportive role, offering non-medical physical, emotional, and informational support to new families. Their assistance can include newborn care, help with breastfeeding, meal preparation, and providing an empathetic ear, which helps to ease the transition for the entire family. The Midwives Model of Care emphasizes a holistic approach, monitoring the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle. This model prioritizes individualized education, continuous support during labor and postpartum, and minimizes technological interventions. Evidence-based practice is a cornerstone of modern midwifery, ensuring that care is based on the best available research to improve outcomes for both mother and baby. This includes everything from pain management techniques to protocols for postpartum hemorrhage and newborn care.