Every mother knows that pregnancy is a full-time job. Expectant mothers make over two dozen trips to their health provider, navigate a maze of health insurance hurdles, make financial plans for their growing family, and prepare as best as they can for a physical, mental and lifestyle change. While pregnancy is exciting for many, the costs and time commitment it requires can be overwhelming.
For some women, mental health challenges can make it even harder. I learned this firsthand. Now, I’m an advocate for maternal mental health during and after pregnancy.
The United States has the highest rate of maternal mortality in the industrialized world. According to a study done by the Commonwealth Fund in 2022, 66% of these deaths are preventable. Women of color are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. These statistics are staggering.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
The United States is home to the most robust health care system in the world, accounting for a larger percentage of our economy than any other nation. And we’re surrounded by highly trained medical experts and innovative companies developing dynamic solutions to the most trying challenges of our time.
Industry is answering the call to help reduce poor maternal health outcomes. Many innovative telemedicine and health technology services lower the typical barriers to accessing critical prenatal care. For example, Philips Healthcare, has created a Pregnancy+ mobile application to connect pregnant and postpartum mothers with critical resources to ease the burden of pregnancy.
With over 50 million downloads, Pregnancy+ is providing expecting families with expert advice, daily articles, health care tips and interactive 3D models to track a baby’s development, as well as in-depth pregnancy guides covering breastfeeding, exercise, and food, a pregnancy calendar to plan and document prenatal appointments, and more, all free of charge.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently announced it would begin implementing the use of the Philips Healthcare Pregnancy + app to help pregnant and postpartum Medicaid-eligible Michigan residents. Medicaid coverage currently accounts for 45% of all births in Michigan
It is encouraging that the MDHHS has adopted transformational technology for prenatal care, and it’s time for more states to follow suit. As the maternal mortality rate in the United States continues to rise, no state is immune from its devastating effects. We’re no exception in Massachusetts, where prenatal deaths persist as a public health emergency despite the Commonwealth being home to some of the most advanced medical centers in the world.
Massachusetts is lucky to have lawmakers like Representatives Lori Trahan and Ayanna Pressley, who have championed maternal health equity and fought to make sure pregnant people have the support they need. Their continued support of programs like this and many other policies is vital to helping to fix the country’s challenges regarding maternal health.
Innovative health technology solutions are a part of the solution of addressing this public health crisis. It is a solution that should be considered by both private and state health programs as a way to give easy access and equitable support to all pregnant and new mothers.
Jamie Zahlaway Belsito is a former State Representative for the 4th Essex District and former commissioner of the Ellen Story Postpartum Commission.