Digital Platforms Connect Maternal Care

- Digital health interventions are emerging as a tool to improve maternal outcomes, with studies showing that virtual doula support is associated with lower odds of cesarean birth and an improved birth experience. Platforms like Okkanti aim to provide operational software for doulas to manage scheduling, billing, and client communication, which can help them generate more revenue and handle reimbursements. - In Virginia, the maternal mortality rate decreased from 86.6 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020 to 66.9 in 2021, following state policy changes like Medicaid extension and doula reimbursement. However, access to care remains a challenge, with five rural labor and delivery units closing between 2018 and 2024, leaving only eight of the state's 28 rural hospitals offering obstetrics services. - The Virginia Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives has been actively involved in legislative advocacy to address these shortages. A key 2025 victory was the passage of House Bill 1923, which mandates insurance reimbursement parity for Licensed Certified Midwives and Licensed Midwives at the same level as Certified Nurse-Midwives. - The state is also focusing on data to improve maternal health; in April 2025, the Virginia Department of Health launched new data dashboards displaying metrics on preterm births, infant mortality, and prenatal care access, sortable by region, health district, and race. In 2024, Virginia's preterm birth rate was 10.1%, earning the state a "C-" grade from the March of Dimes. - Digital platforms are increasingly incorporating virtual doulas who provide educational, emotional, and advocacy support through video conferencing and other online tools. Research indicates this model can reduce perinatal anxiety and depressive symptoms and is particularly important for patient advocacy among Black users and those attempting a vaginal birth after a cesarean. - The Sprout module in South Carolina, developed by SC AHEC, is a community-focused educational tool designed in plain language to inform the public about maternal and infant health trends, challenges in rural and underserved areas, and available state resources. Its learning topics cover the roles of birth workers, stages of pregnancy, and newborn care.