Supporting Moms and Babies

Special Beginnings^®

We’re working to improve maternal and infant health outcomes by increasing access to care, reducing care gaps and educating and engaging communities. 

With our expanded Special Beginnings maternal and infant health initiative, we're collaborating with community organizations and other partners to support women from preconception to postpartum. The initiative prioritizes:

• Promoting quality at birthing locations.
• Investing in organizations addressing social drivers that play a role.
• Supporting efforts to expand the maternal health workforce.

In 2024 we expanded our longstanding efforts to improve maternal and infant health, recognizing that the rates of deaths and other adverse outcomes remain unacceptably high. 

“Improving maternal and infant health outcomes in underserved and rural communities in our state is a top priority,” said Dr. Latha Raja Shankar, BCBSNM’s VP of health care delivery and chief medical officer. 

The efforts are guided by the county-level maternal vulnerability index outlined in the most recent March of Dimes Report Card for New Mexico.

Under the initiative, we’re leveraging the knowledge, experience and talents of trusted community organizations and clinical partners.  

“Through our enhanced focus on maternal and infant health care, we’re working to create better opportunities for healthier, happier children and families across New Mexico,” Dr. Shankar said. 

In October, we convened Special Beginnings grantee organizations from across the state to share experiences and perspectives. 

The participants included Changing Woman Initiative, which provides culturally centered prenatal and postpartum care, as well as other counseling and services for women, in New Mexico's indigenous communities. "This has opened up a huge amount of support that was out there before, but we didn't necessarily know how to get access to," said health administrator Brandi Ahmie.

Another community partner at the event was Many Mothers, which provides no-cost, in-home help to new mothers and operates a drop-in center where families can get diapers, wipes, safe-sleep cribs and other supplies. "The goal is to sit down with the family, have a discussion about what support they need to rebound from having a child," said Kai Forsley, the organization's executive director. "That's how we reduce stress in the home."