United and Guided (UAG) has strategically aligned its care model with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) guidelines for the Birthing Care Pathway, ensuring that Medi-Cal members receive culturally competent, patient-centered maternity care.The Birthing Care Pathway represents a transformative step toward reducing maternal mortality and addressing racial disparities in maternal health outcomes, particularly among Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander communities. Through its Co-Ed Doula Services and fatherhood support programs, United and Guided is working to fulfill the key objectives of this initiative, improving maternal health outcomes while strengthening family involvement.
The Birthing Care Pathway emphasizes a whole-person approach to care that integrates medical, behavioral, and social support services. UAG’s Co-Ed Doula Services reflect this model by providing both emotional and physical support to mothers and fathers throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Fathers often feel excluded from the birthing process, which can increase stress and weaken family bonds. UAG’s Co-Ed Doula model addresses this gap by empowering fathers to take an active, supportive role, which improves overall maternal outcomes and strengthens family dynamics. By incorporating trauma-informed care, UAG doulas are trained to identify and respond to signs of trauma, ensuring that clients feel supported and safe. This reflects the DHCS priority of addressing intimate partner violence (IPV) and providing culturally responsive care. UAG doulas help clients develop birth plans that reflect their preferences and cultural values, ensuring that mothers feel heard and respected—a key element of the Birthing Care Pathway’s strategy to build trust with Medi-Cal members.
A critical aspect of UAG’s care model is its intentional inclusion of fathers through its Black Fathers Inc. program and Co-Ed Doula Services. The Birthing Care Pathway highlights the importance of racially concordant care and the need to provide better support to underserved communities. By equipping fathers with the tools to support their partners during childbirth, UAG helps reduce maternal stress and improve birth outcomes. Studies have shown that increased paternal involvement leads to healthier babies and better postpartum recovery for mothers.
Fathers are offered coaching on communication, emotional support, and postnatal care, aligning with the Birthing Care Pathway’s focus on improving postpartum care. This approach reinforces team-based care and care coordination by ensuring that both parents are prepared to handle the challenges of parenting and postpartum recovery together.
Improving Access and Care Coordination
A critical aspect of UAG’s care model is its intentional inclusion of fathers through its Black Fathers Inc. program and Co-Ed Doula Services. The Birthing Care Pathway highlights the importance of racially concordant care and the need to provide better support to underserved communities. By equipping fathers with the tools to support their partners during childbirth, UAG helps reduce maternal stress and improve birth outcomes. Studies have shown that increased paternal involvement leads to healthier babies and better postpartum recovery for mothers.
Fathers are offered coaching on communication, emotional support, and postnatal care, aligning with the Birthing Care Pathway’s focus on improving postpartum care. This approach reinforces team-based care and care coordination by ensuring that both parents are prepared to handle the challenges of parenting and postpartum recovery together.