Stamford Health and Oula Partner to Bring Collaborative, Midwife-Led Maternity and Gynecology Care to Connecticut

, /PRNewswire/ -- Stamford Health and Oula are joining forces to bring innovative maternity care to Connecticut, combining Oula's comprehensive midwife-led approach to pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care with Stamford Health's nationally recognized excellence in maternity services and strong regional presence. The new practice, which will operate as "Oula provided by Stamford Health," marks Oula's entry into the Connecticut market while establishing Stamford Health's first-ever midwifery offering.

"In addition to the expert, compassionate care for which Stamford Health is known, our patients expect and deserve a variety of care options," remarked Kathleen Silard, President and CEO at Stamford Health. "This relationship with Oula will expand access and allow individual patients and their care partners innovative and high-quality midwifery care options throughout their prenatal and postpartum care journeys."

This partnership will expand access to Oula's midwifery care model with the opening of two new maternity clinics over the next year. This announcement marks another expansion as part of Stamford Health's strategy to collaborate with exceptional organizations to bring the best care to patients in Fairfield County, close to home.

"Stamford Health has long been at the forefront of delivering high-quality maternity care, and we share a commitment to improving patient outcomes, experience, and equity," said Adrianne Nickerson, Oula Co-Founder and CEO. "We know that approximately 80% of women are interested in care that integrates OB-GYN and midwifery.ⁱ We are thrilled to partner with Stamford Health to launch this collaborative midwifery program that will increase access to the comprehensive care that people want and deserve."    

Oula provided by Stamford Health will open its first Connecticut clinic in Norwalk later this year, providing a welcoming, modern space for person-centered care from midwives and OB-GYNs. Oula provided by Stamford Health will offer full-service gynecology and pregnancy care — from preconception through postpartum — including access to dedicated care navigators, virtual support, and expert resources, covered by most major insurance plans. Patients will see a team of midwives and OB-GYNs in the Oula provided by Stamford Health clinics, and deliver their babies at Stamford Hospital.

Connecticut will be Oula's second market as it expands its impact regionally. Since opening in 2021, Oula has delivered 2,200+ babies and exceeded New York City maternity benchmarks, across race and payer type. Oula patients have lower rates of preterm birth (62% better vs. NYC benchmarks) and lower cesarean birth rates (29% better vs. NYC benchmarks).ⁱⁱStamford Health and Oula believe that everyone deserves access to best-in-class maternity care that centers the patient and their needs and accepts major insurance plans.

Each year, approximately 2,400 infants are born at Stamford Hospital, supported by a team of nurses, OB-GYNs, hospitalists, neonatologists, and physicians specializing in maternal fetal medicine, prenatal and postpartum behavioral health, genetic counseling, and more. Patients at Stamford Hospital will benefit from the new, multi-million-dollar renovation of the Whittingham Pavilion, which houses all mother-baby services, including the new Hackett Family Maternity Unit, Cohen Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Susan Falk Rapoport Women's Specialty Center and The Hollander Family Birthing Center.

Prospective patients can sign up for the Oula mailing list at oulahealth.com to be the first to learn when appointments will become available at their new Norwalk clinic.

About Oula

Founded in 2019, Oula is a modern maternity care clinic offering comprehensive support before, during, and after pregnancy. With fewer C-sections and higher VBAC success rates, Oula's approach sets a new standard, delivering better outcomes for parents and their babies. At Oula, patients are supported by a trusted team of midwives, OB-GYNs and dedicated care navigators who listen, respect patient preferences, and champion shared decision-making. Oula offers Gynecology Care, full-service Prenatal Care, Hospital Delivery, Postpartum Care, Preconception Counseling and Miscarriage Care. Plus, patients get access to virtual support and expert resources and exclusive perks — all covered by insurance.  To learn more, see open positions or book your first appointment, visit oulahealth.com.

About Stamford Health

Stamford Health is a non-profit independent health care system with more than 3,900 employees committed to caring for the community through a wide range of high-quality health and wellness services. Patients and their families receive expert, compassionate care through the system's 305-bed Stamford Hospital; Stamford Health Medical Group, with more than 40 offices in lower Fairfield County offering primary and specialty care; a growing number of ambulatory locations across the region; and support through the Stamford Hospital Foundation.

Stamford Health is known for its expert, person-centered care through its many recognitions and partnerships. U.S. News & World Report has recognized Stamford Hospital as a High-Performing Hospital. The Leapfrog Group awarded Stamford Hospital an "A" for patient safety. The American Nurses Credentialing Center has granted Stamford Hospital Magnet Status, which recognizes superior patient care with the highest level of safety, quality, and patient satisfaction. Stamford Health is Planetree Gold-Certified for Excellence in Person-Centered Care and is a Certified™ Great Place to Work.

Stamford Health is a major teaching affiliate of the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and offers treatment and expertise from Columbia University Irving Medical Center's nationally recognized heart and neurosurgeons. Stamford Health and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) have created a premier center for specialty orthopedic care right in Stamford, Connecticut. Stamford Health's Carl & Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center has a robust collaboration with Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center.

Dedicated to being the community's most trusted health care partner, Stamford Health puts patients first to build long-lasting relationships. For more information, visit StamfordHealth.org. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

For media inquiries, please contact Danika Daly, [email protected], 646-820-1136.

ⁱ Oula State of Maternity Care Survey (2023)
ⁱⁱ Clinical outcomes compared to NYC average rates (using March of Dimes 2023 data)

SOURCE Oula