5/16/2025: The State of Maternity Care and Digital Health

In the news, the highs and lows of maternal health in America—from moms sharing what it’s like to live in maternity care deserts, to new efforts aimed at improving care before and after birth. Lawmakers are pushing for better support for pregnant and postpartum women, while experts are offering fresh guidance on prenatal care and digital health tools. At the same time, powerful stories and new research remind us why improving care is so important—especially for moms facing serious risks like high blood pressure. 

5/13, The Everymom: What It’s Like to Live in a Maternity Care Desert—Moms and Experts Share

Mothers and clinicians share insights on maternity care deserts in the US, including the experience of seeking care and the impact of vanishing options. Experts opine on the future of maternal health if the status quo persists. 

5/07, Alabama Political Reporter: Britt reintroduces the MOMS Act

Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) reintroduced a piece of legislation seeking to expand resources offered by the federal government for expecting and postpartum mothers.

5/07, Healthcare Affairs: CMS’s Transforming Maternal Health Model: A Roadmap For States

The National Partnership for Women & Families released a playbook to support all state Medicaid agencies and their partners in successfully implementing the TMaH model elements that will improve outcomes for moms and babies. The playbook provides implementers with the “why” and the “how” of both mandatory and optional TMaH elements—including concrete checklists, specific resources, and the evidence about their value.

5/06, Contemporary OB/GYN: Maternal hypertension linked to neurodevelopment risks in preterm infants

A recent study published by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital demonstrates a connection between the neurodevelopment of preterm infants and maternal hypertension.

5/01, Fierce Healthcare: Senators introduce RPM Access Act to increase rural payment rate for remote monitoring

New bill would increase reimbursement for remote monitoring in rural areas.

5/01, The Bump: How New Prenatal Care Guidance From ACOG Might Affect Parents-to-Be

Ob-gyns weigh in on the implications of new ACOG recommendations for comprehensive maternity care enhanced with digital solutions on clinical practices and the patient experience. 

🎧Podcasts We're Listening To: 

The Heart of Healthcare: The Flywheel Holding Women’s Health Back 

A breakdown of the issues holding back women’s health innovation, including fewer growth-stage investments, limited exits, and a system not built to serve women as the primary users of care. Guests: Carolyn Witte, co-founder of Tia, and Katie Drasser, CEO of Rock Health.

Microsoft Research Podcast: Empowering patients and healthcare consumers in the age of generative AI

This episode is one of a series exploring how patients, providers, and other medical professionals are experiencing and using generative AI today. In this episode, Dave deBronkart and Christina Farr, champions of patient-centered digital health, join Peter Lee, President of Microsoft Research to talk about how AI is reshaping healthcare in terms of patient empowerment and emerging digital health business models.

🌟 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 

5/08, MedCity News: Withings, Babyscripts Team Up to Tackle Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Through a new collaboration, Babyscripts members now have access to Withings BPM Pro 2, givingthemmore options for toinclusive,cutting-edge care

5/06, Babyscripts: Remote Monitoring Helped Save Meredith and Her Baby — So Why Isn't It Standard?

Thanks to education and a BP cuff from Babyscripts, this mother caught her preeclampsia before it became life-threatening, but many women don't have the option for digital tools.