A Collaborative Solution for Preterm Birth

Molina Healthcare of Nevada, in a precedent setting partnership with GrowBaby Health (GBH), will bring their proven Pregnancy Care Model to the OB Medicaid population. GrowBaby Health is personalized and precise. It integrates unique genomic and nutrient biomarker assessment into current OB standard of care excellence, incorporating trimester-by-trimester group education with empowering nutrition, nutrient, and lifestyle interventions. This collaborative care model radically reduced the occurrence of preterm birth. From 2011-2017 (n=400), GrowBaby Health showed their numbers needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one preterm birth is just over 17. Simply speaking, for every 17 births, GrowBaby Health can decrease 1 preterm birth. 

Preterm birth predicts increased disease vulnerability & disproportionately impacts women of color and those who qualify for Medicaid. In 2019, the Nevada Medicaid preterm birth rate was 11.9% - 2,541 preterm births. On average, a preterm birth costs $65,000.00. If applied statewide, this partnership will yield a significant reduction in associated healthcare costs, and improve health resilience across the lifespan. 

1.    2022 - Performance Improvement Project to Decrease Preterm Birth in the Molina- Nevada Medicaid OB Population

a.    Offered to all OB providers & their patients who accept Molina 

b.    12-month Performance Improvement Project (PIP) design – 100 pregnancies [<18-weeks gestation], voluntary, IRB exemption complete 

2.    Outcome Measures 

Primary: Decrease Preterm Birth (PTB) 

Secondary: Decrease Neonatal small & large for gestational age (SGA/LGA), Maternal hypertensive disorders (GH, PIH, PE), Maternal gestational diabetes (GDM), & Maternal pregnancy/postpartum depression & anxiety 

Tertiary: Maternal bacterial vaginosis (BV) incidence in high-risk OB population 

GrowBaby Core Clinical Team

·      Leslie Stone, MD, FP/OB, Fellowship High-Risk Obstetrics, IFMCP & co-founder of GrowBaby Health – principal investigator & author of Customized nutritional enhancement for pregnant women appears to lower incidence of certain common maternal and neonatal complications: an observational study (PMID: 25568832)

·      Emily Rydbom, CN, BCHN, CNP & co-founder of GrowBaby Health – principal investigator & author of Customized nutritional enhancement for pregnant women appears to lower incidence of certain common maternal and neonatal complications: an observational study (PMID: 25568832)

GrowBaby Implementation & Research Team 

·      Michael Stone, MD, MS, IFMCP & Director of Medical Research  

·      Darlene Bernard, MD, FACOG, OBGYN & Structural Competency Advisor

·      Lisa Portera-Perry, DC, IFMCP & Education Implementation Advisor 

·      David Dzielak, PhD & Senior Medicaid Advisor

·      Sheila Clough, CEO of Mercy Flights 501(c)(3) & Systems Integration Advisor  

Supporting Partners

 Metagenics

·      Targeted Nutrient Support 

·      PlusOne, Prenatal Vitamin Pack, 12-month supply for each participant  

·      UltraFlora Women’s Probiotic, 12-month supply for each participant 

DNALife & DNAnalyis

·      Unique Biomarker Assessment 

·      GrowBaby Gene Test - 44 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 27 genes involved in 11 key biological processes associated with maternal and fetal health outcomes – maternal dried blood sample

OmegaQuant Analytics

·      Unique Biomarker Assessment 

·      Maternal DHA – Dried Blood Samples, 1st and 3rd Trimesters

·      Breastmilk DHA 

·      Breastmilk Vitamin D