A new model for maternity care

Three years ago, I met a brilliant woman named Elizabeth Simmons, founder and CEO of The Doula Network, a national network of doulas providing physical, emotional, and educational support to people across the country. I had heard of her because our customers raved about The Doula Network and the outstanding community-based support they provided.  Naturally, we had quite a lot to talk about.

As we chatted about Pomelo’s evidence-based, virtual care model, The Doula Network’s community-based, in-person approach, and the rapidly changing landscape around health plans and doula coverage, it was clear we had a unique opportunity in front of us. 

Which brings us to today. 

I am incredibly proud to announce that Pomelo Care has acquired The Doula Network. We are merging our models to create a first for maternity care in the United States: a national hybrid virtual and in-person care model designed to significantly expand access to high-quality maternity care.

The Unique Impact of Doulas

There is a national maternity care emergency in the United States. The statistics are appalling: 1 in 10 babies born in the US today is admitted to a NICU, 1 in 8 births occur in counties with low or no access to maternal care, more than a third of counties are maternity care deserts, maternal morbidity rates are higher than peer countries and there are vast, unacceptable disparities in outcomes for women of color.

Since 2021, Pomelo has provided medical care for women during preconception, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and for both mother and infant during their infant’s first year. The Pomelo approach consists of virtual, round-the-clock care delivered by a dedicated team of obstetric and pediatric clinicians, midwives, nurses, dietitians, therapists, and lactation experts who ensure the patient and her baby have the best possible health outcomes. 

With the addition of The Doula Network, patients may also now be partnered with a community-based doula who will provide consequential support to patients throughout their pregnancy and postpartum period. In addition to providing in-person support, the doulas will become active members of a patient’s virtual care team, and together they will address key medical, behavioral and social  factors to improve outcomes for mom, baby, and family.

But why is doula care so important? 

There is extensive research showing doula care improves maternity outcomes and health equity, particularly among Black mothers. 

Compared to high-risk pregnant patients who do not receive doula care, patients under doula care during labor and delivery are 2 times less likely to have a birth complication, 4 times less likely to have a low-birth-weight baby, 40% less likely to have a cesarean delivery, and experience lower rates of preterm birth. 

According to the March of Dimes, they also experience shorter time in labor, fewer negative childbirth experiences, less anxiety and depression, and are more likely to breastfeed. And importantly, they are more likely to feel happy about the care they received. 

The Doula Network has shown meaningful improvements in key measures of maternal and infant health across their populations, with a 19% cesarean section rate reduction compared to the national average and a 36% low birthweight rate reduction compared to the national average. 

The simple fact is: doulas improve outcomes, lower costs, and reduce disparities. Pomelo Care’s patients will benefit greatly from their addition to our team.

Rapidly Growing Demand

While the impact of doulas is clear, only 6% of women in the United States currently have coverage for doula care. Historically, health plans have not covered doula services and it has remained largely a cash-pay industry, which can cost several hundred or even several thousand dollars for patients.

Doula coverage has remained limited. According to the Washington Post,  “For about six years starting in 2014, Minnesota and Oregon were the only states that mandated coverage of doula services through Medicaid.”

But recently, things began to change. Through the tireless work of maternal healthcare advocates and key lawmakers, 13 states plus Washington D.C. now require Medicaid reimbursement for doula services, and 30 more states are actively taking steps toward doula reimbursement.

As health plans are adapting to the new requirements and working to integrate doulas into their networks to meet growing demand, they have overwhelmingly chosen The Doula Network as their partner. Their reputation and results are unparalleled. 

As the largest network of credentialed doulas in the United States, in-network with major commercial and Medicaid plans, The Doula Network has quickly emerged as the clear market leader. 

With this new, integrated care model, Pomelo will significantly expand access to evidence-based maternity care across the United States, invest in the national doula ecosystem, and meet the growing commercial and Medicaid demand for community-based doulas. 

We will also set a new standard for maternity care, where women have access to round-the-clock virtual medical care and the support they need by their side during one of the most exciting and challenging times in their lives. 

We are now in the midst of seamlessly integrating The Doula Network into Pomelo Care and will soon begin offering in-person doula services to our patients.

I am incredibly thankful to the entire Pomelo Care team for working to make this acquisition a reality. And especially grateful for the partnership of Elizabeth, who is joining Pomelo as Head of Doula Network, and The Doula Network team for joining us in our work to address the maternal healthcare crisis and bring high-quality care to every person who needs it.

Want to learn more about how doulas can help advance your maternal health strategy? Visit pomelocare.com/doula-network.