Hey there! I’m Maya Green, the co-founder and CEO of Millie, and I’m thrilled to share our story. Alongside my friend and Clinical Director, Lena Wright, and our tech guru, Emily Chase, we’re on a mission to transform the maternity care experience in the United States.
As both mothers and healthcare experts, we understand that the current maternity care system often leaves much to be desired. It tends to be reactive, incomplete, and at times, overly medicalized. This results in serious vulnerabilities for moms, birthing individuals, and their babies, leading to some of the poorest outcomes among high-income countries. I learned this the hard way during my own pregnancy.
In 2020, I welcomed my son. With 15 years of experience in healthcare innovation and coming from a medical family, I knew the system had its flaws. But nothing could have prepared me for what came next. Just 36 hours after being discharged, I found myself back in the ER, fearing a stroke due to self-diagnosed postpartum preeclampsia. It turned out I had a more severe condition called HELLP syndrome. Lying on the CT scanner, I had two thoughts: gratitude for the doctors advocating for me and disbelief at the failure of our maternity care system.
My delivery had been complicated: an induction, two days of labor, and an unplanned C-section. Yet, after such a high-risk experience, I was simply sent home with standard instructions to follow up in six weeks. I knew I was lucky to have access to quality care, but it hit me hard that many others, especially Black mothers, might not be so fortunate.
Research shows that most maternal health issues are preventable, so why hasn’t the system improved? Once I was out of crisis mode, I reached out to Lena and asked, “What would ideal maternity care look like?” That sparked the creation of Millie.
Soon after, I met Emily, and we bonded over our shared frustrations with the existing maternity care model. We discussed the nerve-wracking wait for early pregnancy appointments, the isolation we felt between brief visits, and the need for foundational education on childbirth and newborn care. Both of us felt overwhelmed as new parents, struggling to navigate postpartum recovery.
The truth is, pregnancy and parenthood are monumental life changes that affect every aspect of your being. Yet, the current system barely scratches the surface of what’s needed. Realizing this, we decided to design a new approach with Millie.
The Millie Care Model
With Millie, we aim to provide a maternity care experience that we would have wanted for ourselves. We believe that everyone deserves access to evidence-based care, equitable outcomes, and a robust support system to start their families off right.
Here’s how we’re reimagining maternity care:
- Collaborative Care: Studies show that incorporating midwives leads to better outcomes. At Millie, we use a blend of OB-GYNs and midwives to reduce interventions and improve health results.
- Proactive Monitoring: One significant cause of maternal mortality is delayed care due to a lack of awareness about warning signs. Our Millie app allows for remote monitoring, coaching sessions with doulas, and ongoing education to catch complications early.
- Enhanced Postpartum Support: Everyone deserves support for their physical and emotional well-being. We offer triple the standard postpartum visits, including a home visit shortly after birth, and extensive mental health resources.
- Patient-Centered Care: We prioritize your experience and choices, ensuring you feel empowered in your care journey.
- Accessible Virtual Care: Virtual visits can help bridge gaps in care. By utilizing telehealth when appropriate and enabling daily messaging through our app, we aim to make care more accessible.
At Millie, we’re dedicated to creating a supportive maternity care experience for all. From the moment you see that positive pregnancy test to navigating early parenthood, we’re here for you—just as we would have wanted for ourselves.
This journey is challenging enough, and we believe everyone deserves exceptional maternity care that sets families up for success.
For more insights, check out our blog post on educational games for kids or explore resources on pregnancy. Also, if you’re looking for options in your fertility journey, don’t miss Make a Mom, which offers reusable at-home insemination kits and connects you with a supportive community.
In essence, we’re on a mission to revolutionize maternity care for everyone. Together, we can make it happen with Millie.
Summary
Millie is a modern maternity clinic founded by moms and healthcare professionals dedicated to improving the maternity care experience. With a collaborative care model, proactive monitoring, enhanced postpartum support, and a focus on patient-centered care, Millie aims to provide equitable and evidence-based maternity care for all families.