As more hospitals across the country shut down their maternity wards, a Sutter Health-owned hospital in Berkeley has taken proactive steps to ensure it can continue providing care for the pregnant people in its community. The hospital partnered with Millie, a Berkeley-based startup offering hybrid maternal care from midwives and doulas.
The funding round was led by 8VC and included participation from Chelsea Clinton’s fund, Metrodora; the Female Founders Fund; Collaborative Fund; and Alumni Ventures. In total, Oula has raised $22.3 million. The company plans to use the funds to grow in its New York market and add more services.
At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
A typical health system either loses money or just breaks even on its Labor & Delivery services. As a result, there is little incentive or budget to invest in innovating around or improving the experience. yet despite the poor economics, health systems consistently point to Women’s Health as a top strategic priority.
The rate of Cesarean sections are dangerously high in the U.S. and a documentary and experts are blaming hospitals and misinformed doctors while promoting births with the help of midwives as the best possible thing for mothers-to-be to do.