While most pregnancies and deliveries in the U.S. are healthy, the rate of complications has been rising significantly. Between 2014 and 2018, pregnancy complications increased by 16% and childbirth complications by 14%, according to a Blue Cross/Blue Shield national study. Behavioral health conditions such as anxiety and depression have also surged, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive maternal care.
In response, Scripps Health, which operates Scripps Green and Scripps Memorial hospitals in La Jolla, is taking a holistic approach to maternal care, aiming to “swing the pendulum back in the woman’s favor.” Their enhanced program focuses on mothers’ and babies, expanding care into a “fourth trimester” for post-pregnancy support.
Led by Dr. Sean Daneshmand, founding medical director of Scripps’ Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the initiative identifies mothers with chronic health conditions early, providing expedited care and remote monitoring to ensure comprehensive support throughout all stages of pregnancy.
Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla serves as a primary hub for the program, established in 2018. to focuses on at-risk pregnancies. The program’s holistic model considers the overall well-being of mothers, whom Daneshmand calls “the CEOs of our community.” He emphasizes that many mothers neglect their own health needs, a pattern Scripps aims to change through proactive, whole-person care.
The expanded services include a patient navigator role, previously common in cancer care, to help mothers manage tests, appointments, and medical decisions. Mental health services have also been strengthened through a collaboration with a local nonprofit, ensuring counseling within 72 hours of a diagnosis. Scripps continues to operate neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in collaboration with Rady Children’s Hospital, providing specialized care for newborns requiring extra support.
Dr. Daneshmand highlights the importance of comprehensive maternal care as a long-term health investment. Pregnancy, he says, serves as a “window to the future,” and proper care can reduce the risk of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes later in life.
“Scripps is focused on improving health spans, not just longevity,” Daneshmand explains. “We want to ensure women live healthy, fulfilling lives ….”
Scripps Health operates five hospitals and 30 outpatient centers across San Diego County, with Dr. Daneshmand leading the maternal-fetal medicine program system-wide. Since relocating to La Jolla two years ago, he has become further integrated into the community he serves, emphasizing respect and collaboration as the program’s core values.
“At the heart of what we do is respect,” Daneshmand says. “Respect among our team translates to respect for the patients we serve, ensuring every mother receives the highest level of care.”