The Top 3 Reasons to Offer In-Person and Telehealth Birth Doula Care to Address Maternity Care Challenges in the U.S.

In the United States, maternity care faces significant challenges, including maternity care deserts, a lack of BIPOC maternity care providers, and high rates of high-risk maternity cases and maternal mortality. Addressing these issues requires innovative solutions combining traditional and modern approaches. At Stork Club, we are the only vendor solution offering hybrid in-person birth and telehealth doula services. A hybrid model, primarily in-person doula care, is critical in emphasizing access, impact, outcomes, cost, and reimbursement coverage.

The Key Differences Why You Need Both In-Person and Telehealth Doula Services Offering 

1. Comprehensive Support: Physical Presence vs. Virtual Guidance

In-person birth doula service provides expecting mothers with a holistic care experience, offering both physical presence and emotional support during labor. Research shows that continuous support during labor can reduce the likelihood of cesarean delivery by 25% and shorten labor by an average of 41 minutes.

In-person doulas are crucial for managing pain, anxiety, and unexpected complications, providing hands-on assistance that virtual consultations cannot replicate. While telehealth doulas offer convenient access to expert advice and resources, they lack the physical presence needed during labor and delivery. Stork Club’s solution ensures immediate, hands-on care during critical moments and ongoing virtual support, creating a more robust and responsive care system.

2. Enhanced Accessibility: Bridging Maternity Care Deserts

Maternity care deserts, where access to maternity care services is limited or nonexistent, affect more than 2.2 million women of childbearing age in the United States. Our in-person doula service can travel to underserved areas, providing essential care that would otherwise be inaccessible. Telehealth complements this by offering continuous support and consultations, reducing the need for frequent long-distance travel, and enabling consistent monitoring and guidance.

A telehealth-only option might bridge some gaps by providing remote access to care. Still, without the physical presence of a doula, mothers in these areas might face challenges in receiving hands-on support during labor and delivery. Our hybrid model ensures comprehensive support for mothers in remote or underserved areas by combining physical and virtual care benefits.

3. Impact on Cultural Competence and Personalized Care

Our in-person doulas, especially those from BIPOC communities, provide culturally competent care essential for addressing the unique needs of diverse populations. Black women in the US are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Doulas from similar backgrounds can offer personalized care that respects cultural practices and preferences, further enhanced by telehealth services that connect mothers with diverse specialists and resources.

While telehealth can connect mothers with diverse providers, it may lack the depth of cultural understanding and personalized interaction that in-person care offers. The absence of physical presence limits the ability to understand and respect cultural nuances fully. Stork Club’s hybrid approach fosters culturally competent and personalized care, improving trust, communication, and outcomes for BIPOC mothers who often face disparities in maternity care.

The Cost Advantage: Reimbursement Coverage

Understanding the financial aspect is crucial for expecting mothers. Our hybrid approach is designed to maximize reimbursement coverage compared to telehealth-only models. By offering in-person support, we can navigate the managed care model more effectively, ensuring that mothers receive the care they need without additional financial burdens. 

Embrace the Superior In-Person Birth Doula Solution

Combining in-person birth doulas with telehealth services offers a powerful solution to some of the most pressing challenges in US maternity care. This hybrid model provides comprehensive support, bridges maternity care deserts, ensures culturally competent and personalized care, and offers better reimbursement coverage. As we strive to improve maternal health outcomes, especially for high-risk cases and marginalized communities, embracing our integrated approach can significantly improve the lives of expecting mothers across the country.

Choose our in-person birth doula service and experience the difference that immediate, hands-on care can make during one of life's most critical moments.

References

1. Continuous Support for Women During Childbirth: NIH
2. Doula Labor Support: Evidence Based Birth
3. March of Dimes: Maternity Care Deserts Report
4. CDC Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System: CDC