As we welcome a new administration to the White House, the maternal health field is hopeful for a future where maternity issues take a primary position in Congress. A story from our backyard in Washington DC shows how far we have still to go in advocating for maternal health policy. 

Plus, a new section in our roundup brought to you by Babyscripts Senior Medical Director, Dr. Lauren Demosthenes - check out the Consumer Corner!

As a new administration enters the White House, we're taking a step back to look at where we've come from and where we need to go from here. We’re hopeful for a future in which maternal health issues receive the attention from Congress that they deserve and demand. 

Welcome to 2021, and the first birthday of our Virtual Care Resource Center.

This year, we've used this blog as a place to share all things maternity care; including first hand accounts from providers, payers, and our own team on the benefits and challenges of using digital tools in the maternal health field; market insights; on-the-ground resources; updates around changing policies and protocols; projections on the future of digital health and the maternity care; and insights into the issues affecting mothers across the nation. 

The new year has brought with it an onrush of predictions about digital health in 2021, while the new coronavirus vaccine has raised questions about whether health systems will continue to invest in digital health post-pandemic. Venture capitalists are putting their dollars and confidence into digital transformation, and digital healthcare startups are navigating the new normal.

If we played a word association game for 2020, we’d most likely elicit a string of strong negative terms. Chaos, confusion, fear, uncertainty...you can likely think of a few. 

But as we close out this year that has seemed like a decade, we at Babyscripts would like to offer a new perspective. A different list.

When we think of 2020, we think Innovation. Collaboration. Advocacy. Urgency. 

As digital health becomes standard in the delivery of care, industry leaders discuss concerns around interoperability and data sharing, and maternal health professionals consider the implications for restructuring pregnancy care. The new Covid vaccine continues to raise questions around safety and efficacy for pregnant moms, and as the end of the year approaches the field looks forward to digital health in 2021.

The new coronavirus vaccine has dominated the news cycle this week, with the maternal health community questioning its efficacy and potential harm to pregnant women, and whether or when they will be in line to receive it. Mental health continues to be major concern for the maternal population, especially as the weather gets cold and the holidays approach. Plus, exciting news from Babyscripts!

This week, Babyscripts announced the completion of the first phase of the Strategic Partners Program - an investment round specifically developed to bring our health systems clients into the company's product development process and offer input on future partnerships and roadmap.

In the news this week, industry professionals consider the role and reach of digital tools as they become a standard part of the care landscape. Racial disparities in maternal health care continue to be a major area of concern, and new policies are released to target poor outcomes in maternal health. 

Next week, Babyscripts announces their new product enhancement: remote monitoring for maternal health. In a webinar led by Anish Sebastian, CEO and co-founder of Babyscripts, participants will be introduced to the mental health issues facing mothers today, and the value of technology for managing mental health in pregnancy, postpartum and beyond.