Innovation

Every mother deserves to feel heard and involved in decisions about her care. As Hamilton County continues to face significant maternal and infant health disparities, particularly among Black mothers and babies, UC Health is implementing TeamBirth to give patients a stronger voice during childbirth.

UC Medical Center in Cincinnati is now the first hospital in Hamilton County to implement TeamBirth, an evidence-based labor and delivery care model focused on communication, teamwork and shared decision-making. The launch builds on TeamBirth's successful implementation at UC Health's West Chester Hospital in 2024, which became the first hospital in southwest Ohio to adopt the model.

The timing is significant. According to Cradle Cincinnati, infant mortality rates for Black babies in Hamilton County have more than doubled in the past two years. While no single solution can address the complex factors that contribute to maternal and infant health disparities, healthcare leaders continue to look for ways to improve communication, patient engagement and trust during the childbirth experience.

Shaunda Dawson, RN, is a labor and delivery nurse educator helping lead TeamBirth implementation at UC Medical Center. For her, TeamBirth's potential to improve communication, patient involvement and birth outcomes made it a natural fit.

"After being asked to serve as a Team Leader, I learned more about the significant positive impact TeamBirth can have on patient care, communication and birth outcomes," Shaunda said. "The model helps ensure that every patient has a voice and that everyone involved in their care is working from the same plan."

What Is TeamBirth?

Developed through Ariadne Labs' Delivery Decisions Initiative, TeamBirth brings patients, support people, nurses and providers together at key moments throughout labor to discuss the care plan, answer questions and make decisions as a team.

The model centers on two key tools: structured interdisciplinary huddles, known as "sparks," and a shared planning board displayed in the patient's room.

During sparks, the patient, support person, nurse and provider come together to discuss how labor is progressing, review options and align on next steps. Information from those conversations is documented on the planning board, helping everyone stay informed and focused on the patient's goals and preferences.

"TeamBirth introduces structured interdisciplinary huddles, a shared planning board and real-time collaborative decision-making throughout labor and delivery care," Shaunda explained. "These  optimizations ensure that the patient, support person, nurse and provider are consistently aligned on the plan of care and next steps."

The approach builds on UC Health's commitment to patient-centered maternity care by creating regular opportunities for patients to ask questions, share concerns and participate in decisions throughout labor. It also complements UC Health's birth preference planning process, which encourages mothers to discuss their goals and preferences with their care team before delivery.

Why Communication Matters

Communication challenges are a contributing factor in many preventable maternal complications and negative birth experiences. TeamBirth was designed to address that challenge by creating a consistent framework for collaboration among patients, families and care teams.

Research has shown that the model improves patient involvement, trust and autonomy while strengthening communication among care teams.

Harvard research published in 2024 found a 35% increase in patient empowerment among Black women participating in TeamBirth. Additional studies have demonstrated improvements in patient-provider relationships, communication and overall satisfaction with the birth experience.

While TeamBirth is designed to benefit all patients, its focus on listening, transparency and shared decision-making aligns with broader efforts to improve equitable maternity care and ensure every patient feels heard and respected.

What It Means for Mothers and Families

At its core, TeamBirth helps create a more informed and collaborative birth experience.

Patients gain a clearer understanding of their care plan, greater involvement in decisions and more opportunities to communicate directly with their care team. Families and support people are included in important conversations, helping everyone stay aligned throughout labor and delivery.

Evidence from TeamBirth pilot hospitals reflects the impact of that approach:

• 97% of patients reported having the role they wanted in their childbirth experience.
• 93% of clinicians said TeamBirth improved communication, teamwork and shared decision-making.
• 90% of nurses, midwives and obstetricians recommended TeamBirth for use in other labor and delivery units.

As a labor and delivery nurse, Shaunda said those results reinforce what matters most: helping patients feel informed, heard and involved in decisions about their care.

"When patients understand their care, feel comfortable asking questions and know their preferences matter, it creates a stronger partnership between families and their care teams," she said.

As TeamBirth expands to UC Medical Center, UC Health is continuing its commitment to maternity care that is not only clinically excellent, but also built on communication, respect and partnership.

Why UC Health for Maternity Care

UC Health offers maternity services at both UC Medical Center and West Chester Hospital, providing personalized care, childbirth education and support for families throughout pregnancy, delivery and recovery. Learn more about UC Health maternity services and how TeamBirth is helping shape the future of childbirth care in Greater Cincinnati.