Oula, in partnership with Stamford Health, has officially opened a new maternity clinic in Norwalk, Connecticut. This facility represents Stamford Health’s first venture into midwifery, merging Oula’s innovative midwife-led care model with Stamford Health’s established maternity services. The opening comes in response to the growing demand for midwifery care, as evidenced by data from Oula’s 2023 State of Maternity Care Survey, which indicates that nearly 80% of women prefer a care approach that integrates both midwives and OB-GYNs.
Expanding Access to Maternity Care
The Norwalk clinic aims to enhance access to integrated, patient-centered maternity care in Fairfield County. Each year, approximately 2,400 births occur at Stamford Hospital, underscoring the need for additional services. The clinic features thoughtfully designed examination rooms and comfortable waiting areas equipped with nutritious snacks and informative resources, all tailored to create a welcoming experience for patients.
Services at the new location span from preconception through postpartum care. Patients will benefit from a collaborative team of midwives, OB-GYNs, and dedicated care navigators. The clinic also offers telehealth options, 24/7 virtual support, expert resources, and workshops, along with gynecological services.
Kathleen Silard, President and CEO of Stamford Health, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “A pillar of our strategy as an independent health system is to collaborate with like-minded, high-quality organizations for patient care. Our patients expect and deserve a variety of care options.” The new clinic aims to broaden access and provide innovative midwifery care throughout patients’ prenatal and postpartum journeys.
Comprehensive Support and State-of-the-Art Facilities
All patients receiving care at Oula provided by Stamford Health will deliver at Stamford Hospital. They will be supported by a comprehensive team that includes nurses, OB-GYNs, hospitalists, neonatologists, and specialists in maternal-fetal medicine, behavioral health, and genetic counseling. The clinic’s patients will also benefit from recent renovations at the Whittingham Pavilion, which now hosts modern facilities including the Hackett Family Maternity Unit and the Cohen Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Adrianne Nickerson, Co-Founder and CEO of Oula, expressed her enthusiasm about the clinic’s opening, stating, “We are thrilled to open Oula provided by Stamford Health, and to bring Connecticut-area patients the comprehensive, collaborative care we know they are looking for.” She noted that a significant majority of women are interested in care that combines midwifery and OB-GYN services, reinforcing the clinic’s commitment to quality and equitable care.
Since its inception in 2021, Oula has facilitated over 2,500 births and has consistently surpassed New York City maternity benchmarks across various demographic categories, showcasing 62% lower rates of preterm births and 29% lower rates of cesarean deliveries compared to city averages.
The Norwalk clinic marks Oula’s second market expansion and the first of two planned clinics in Connecticut. Oula provided by Stamford Health accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicaid, ensuring broader access to high-quality maternity care that prioritizes patient needs.
For more information and to book an appointment, interested families can visit the Oula website at https://oulahealth.com/locations/norwalk/.
With the launch of this clinic, Oula and Stamford Health are poised to significantly enhance maternity care options in Connecticut, providing families with the support and resources they need throughout their journey to parenthood.
