Research Study for Mothers on Medicaid- H.E.A.R. 4 Mamas
Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina are conducting a study on postpartum care to improve health outcomes and reduce discrimination in maternal care.
Fast Facts
Pregnant or Within 1 Week Postpartum
Insured by Medicaid
Compensation
Provided
Live in
South Carolina
Study Background
Every mom deserves respectful, supportive postpartum care.
Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) are working to improve the care new mothers receive after giving birth, especially those who may face barriers to getting the help they need. The H.E.A.R. 4 Mamas study (Healing, Equality, Advocacy, and Respect for Mamas) aims to evaluate whether a phone- and text-based support program can reduce disparities in care and help new moms detect warning signs of complications earlier. This program also connects participants to a trained Obstetric Nurse Advocate who can assist with health concerns and link moms to critical resources like food, diapers, transportation, housing, or medical care.
The study is open to women who are insured by Medicaid, live in South Carolina, and are either pregnant or have recently given birth. Participants will be assigned to one of two groups: those receiving usual care or those receiving usual care plus the H.E.A.R. 4 Mamas program. All participants will complete surveys throughout the postpartum year and be compensated for their time. The study does not require any travel.
Study Background
Every mom deserves respectful, supportive postpartum care.
Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) are working to improve the care new mothers receive after giving birth, especially those who may face barriers to getting the help they need. The H.E.A.R. 4 Mamas study (Healing, Equality, Advocacy, and Respect for Mamas) aims to evaluate whether a phone- and text-based support program can reduce disparities in care and help new moms detect warning signs of complications earlier. This program also connects participants to a trained Obstetric Nurse Advocate who can assist with health concerns and link moms to critical resources like food, diapers, transportation, housing, or medical care.
The study is open to women who are insured by Medicaid, live in South Carolina, and are either pregnant or have recently given birth. Participants will be assigned to one of two groups: those receiving usual care or those receiving usual care plus the H.E.A.R. 4 Mamas program. All participants will complete surveys throughout the postpartum year and be compensated for their time. The study does not require any travel.
Additional Information
This study is being conducted to better support moms during the first year after delivery by improving access to care, reducing discrimination, and catching health problems early, especially for those who may experience disparities in maternal healthcare.
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Pregnant or within 1 week postpartum
- Insured by Medicaid
- Live in South Carolina
- Women ages 16-49
- No plans to relocate outside of South Carolina anytime during the postpartum year
- No plans to discontinue Medicaid health insurance during the postpartum year
- Speak English
- Not incarcerated/pending incarceration during the peripartum period
- Not currently institutionalized
- Can use a personal cell phone for the study
- If recently delivered, gestational age of infant ≥ 26 weeks
Once enrolled, you’ll be placed into one of two groups: one will receive usual postpartum care, and the other will receive usual care plus the H.E.A.R. 4 Mamas program. If you’re placed in the H.E.A.R. group, you’ll receive regular text check-ins and be connected with an Obstetric Nurse Advocate who can help you access the care and resources you need. All participants will complete brief surveys via phone or email at enrollment, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postpartum.
Yes! You’ll receive a $30 Amazon gift card for each of the four surveys you complete, for a total of up to $120. The surveys take only 15–20 minutes to complete. No travel is needed; everything is done from your phone or computer.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.