Saint John's Partners with Mahmee for Free Postpartum Doula and

Providence **Saint John's Health Center** in Santa Monica is now offering a complimentary 30-day membership to **Mahmee**, a maternal healthcare company, following childbirth. This initiative provides new mothers with virtual and in-person access to a network of specialists, including doulas and lactation consultants, aiming to improve newborn health and address postpartum recovery challenges. The program is a component of **Providence Southern California**'s broader investment in breastfeeding support and maternal health. **Mahmee** reports that nearly 80% of its national patient base identifies as non-White, highlighting a focus on serving diverse populations and addressing historical inequities in maternal care, particularly for Black mothers who face significantly higher mortality rates. This partnership arrives at a critical juncture, with the U.S. grappling with one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the developed world, a significant portion of which is preventable. While the free month of service is a promising start, the long-term sustainability and scalability of such support systems remain key considerations for improving maternal and infant outcomes across broader demographics.

• Providence Saint John's Health Center now offers a free 30-day postpartum support package through Mahmee.
• The program includes doula, lactation, and other maternal health services, targeting improved newborn health.
• Mahmee serves a predominantly non-White patient base, aiming to address healthcare inequities.
• The initiative comes amid concerning U.S. maternal mortality rates, especially for Black mothers.
• The long-term impact and scalability of the free service remain key considerations.

The partnership between **Saint John's** and **Mahmee** provides new mothers with a month of free access to a range of postpartum services, including doula and lactation support. This program is part of a larger investment by **Providence Southern California** in maternal health. **Mahmee**'s data indicates a significant utilization by non-White patients, aligning with its stated mission to serve diverse populations. The initiative aims to mitigate challenges in postpartum recovery and breastfeeding, areas where many new mothers report difficulties, as exemplified by patient **Pamela Vella**.

This initiative represents a significant step forward in **maternal healthcare accessibility**, directly addressing the critical need for postpartum support. By offering free doula and lactation services through **Mahmee**, **Saint John's** is proactively tackling barriers like cost and provider availability, particularly for **marginalized communities**. The focus on diverse populations and the potential to reverse alarming maternal mortality statistics, as highlighted by **Mahmee**'s CEO **Melissa Hanna**, offers a hopeful vision for a more equitable and supportive postpartum experience for all mothers.

While a free month of doula and lactation support is a welcome gesture, its impact may be limited by its short duration and the inherent challenges of scaling such services. The high cost of private doula and lactation services, often running into thousands of dollars, suggests that a 30-day complimentary period might only offer a temporary reprieve, leaving mothers to face the full financial burden afterward. Furthermore, the article touches on the systemic racial inequities in maternal care, a problem far too deep to be solved by a single hospital initiative, raising questions about whether this program truly addresses the root causes of disparities or merely offers a superficial solution.

Originally reported by Los Angeles Daily News