Western Sky Community Care is launching a virtual doula network for Medicaid members in New Mexico, the Centene subsidiary said Sept. 27.
Through a partnership with virtual maternal healthcare provider Pacify, Western Sky will launch a 24/7 service to connect members with doulas who can help develop a birth plan, prepare birth partners and provide other nonmedical care.
"By offering our members doula services — day or night — we aim to improve access, remove barriers to care, and eliminate health disparities during pregnancy in an effort to improve maternal health outcomes across New Mexico," Susan Lewis, MD, Western Sky medical director, said in a news release.
A 2013 study in the Journal of Perinatal Education found that women who were assisted by a doula during pregnancy were less likely to have pregnancy complications and adverse outcomes.
Western Sky and Pacify are also sponsoring a $3,000 scholarship for people of color interested in becoming lactation consultants.
"Together, our goal is to improve diversity in the lactation profession and provide more breastfeeding parents across New Mexico with culturally sensitive care," Melanie Silverman, chief clinical officer of Pacify said in the release.