Amerigroup Texas, one of the state’s largest coordinators of managed health care, has joined with Texas Tech Physicians to launch a prenatal care support program for expecting parents in the Permian Basin.
The program, known as Supportive Pregnancy Care, is offered by March of Dimes and provides expecting parents in West Texas with access to clinical care from licensed professionals, education from prenatal experts and social support from other participants.
“Amerigroup Texas has remained committed to identifying alarming disparities and addressing them head-on with innovative solutions that both save and improve lives,” Dr. Cealee Thomas, Amerigroup Texas medical director, said in a news release. “Our collaboration with Texas Tech Physicians and March of Dimes to expand West Texans’ access to effective and impactful resources will not only improve maternal-infant health equity, but also will have a profound impact on families and communities.”
The U.S. has the highest maternal death rate among developed nations for childbirth, and Texas ranks behind most states in maternal mortality. The 2020 March of Dimes Report Card shows that Texas’ preterm birth rate rose again for the fifth year in a row, earning the state a ‘D’ grade. Nationwide, two babies die every hour, and two women die from pregnancy complications every day.
A pilot study conducted by March of Dimes concluded that when compared to patients receiving traditional prenatal care, Supportive Pregnancy Care participants were 68% more likely to attend postpartum visits and 84% more likely to initiate breastfeeding at delivery. Additionally, group prenatal care has demonstrated a 33% reduction of premature births overall and has demonstrated a reduction in health inequities — reducing premature births among black women by 41% or more.
“The maternal and infant health crisis facing our country disproportionately impacts pregnant people and babies of color,” said Amy Johnson-Rubio, Maternal and Child Health director at March of Dimes.
“Better access to quality care for birthing people — and greater support before, during and after pregnancy — makes a huge difference. We are thrilled to partner with Amerigroup and Texas Tech Physicians on Supportive Pregnancy Care, which can help break down some of the barriers to care encountered during pregnancy and create better health outcomes.”
Supportive Pregnancy Care sessions give pregnant people more time with their health care providers than they normally would have during conventional prenatal checkups. And through the group setting, soon-to-be parents receive prenatal care and education, as well as vital social and emotional support from other participants.
The program connects groups of 8–12 participants with two health care professionals who facilitate sessions that last up to two hours each. Participants get physical assessments and vital signs readings, and they participate in educational discussions that cover topics ranging from labor and delivery to mindfulness and relaxation. A licensed obstetric provider also meets individually with participants during each session to perform a physical assessment and discuss specific concerns.
“Reducing treatable and preventable pregnancy-related issues with these kinds of collaborative efforts provides essential support for soon-to-be parents,” said Dr. Michael Galloway, regional department chair of the Department of OB/GYN for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. “In addition to plugging people into a great network of peers and providers, these programs help identify health issues early in a pregnancy and get them treated before they threaten the health of parents or babies. By helping people have healthier pregnancies, this initiative will save lives.”
More than 50 locations across 30 states are currently offering March of Dimes Supportive Pregnancy Care programs to help improve birth experiences and maternal-infant health outcomes. Texas Tech Physicians is currently enrolling participants for Supportive Pregnancy Care programs that will begin in six to eight weeks.
For more information or to enroll in the program, contact Texas Tech Physicians at 432-703-5510.
