As Louisiana families celebrate Mother’s Day and recognize Mental Health Awareness Month this May, Louisiana Healthcare Connections is spotlighting the importance of maternal mental health and the progress being made to improve care for moms before, during, and after pregnancy.
Motherhood is one of life’s most meaningful experiences, but it can also bring stress, anxiety, and depression. Louisiana continues to face longstanding challenges in maternal health outcomes, making access to comprehensive, coordinated care more important than ever.
More mothers on Medicaid in Louisiana are getting the care they need at critical moments in their health journey. Prenatal care rates for Louisiana Healthcare Connections members have increased more than 20 percentage points—from 65% to 86% between 2011 and 2024. Postpartum care rates have increased more than 30 percentage points—from 52% to 83%.
Louisiana Healthcare Connections is expanding care beyond the doctor’s office to address the full picture of maternal health. This includes:
-Access to prenatal and postpartum care coordination
-Behavioral health support for anxiety, depression, and postpartum conditions
-Telehealth services that remove transportation as a barrier to care
-Community-based programs, including home visiting and support networks
-Resources that address social drivers of health, such as nutrition and safe sleep education
The Louisiana Department of Health’s selection for the Transforming Maternal Health Model (TMaH) grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) further reinforces this progress, bringing additional focus to improving access, quality, and whole-person care. Efforts include expanding access to doulas and community health workers, strengthening screening and follow-up, and integrating behavioral health into maternity care.
Ways to support maternal mental health this May:
- Encourage moms to prioritize self-care and seek support when needed
-Normalize conversations around maternal mental health
-Connect mothers with professional care and community resources
-Advocate for continued access to comprehensive maternal health services
This Mother’s Day, Louisiana Healthcare Connections encourages families and communities to encourage the full health and well-being of moms.