Julie Anderson on the impact of virtual birth planning for high-risk pregnancies

At the 2026 American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) Annual Clinical & Scientific Meeting in Washington, DC, Julie Anderson, senior director of clinical outcomes at Maven Clinic, presented data suggesting that virtual birth planning could bridge gaps, particularly for patients with high-risk pregnancies.

Overcoming traditional barriers to access

While birth planning is linked to improved shared decision-making, it is not routinely incorporated into standard prenatal care. Anderson noted that access is often restricted by geography or the specific offerings of a local practice. However, she emphasized that there could be a second, equally important barrier.

“It’s about whether the offering actually meets the patient’s needs. For example, can they find a provider who aligns with their preferences or lived experience? Is the session 3 hours long in the middle of the workday, making it hard to attend? So, it’s still an access issue, but more about convenience and fit, which can be just as impactful as physical access limitations,” Anderson stated. Virtual platforms address these concerns by offering broader provider choices and more flexible scheduling.

Linking birth planning to clinical outcomes

The poster presented at ACOG was an analysis of 979 individuals with gestational conditions. Findings revealed a significant association between virtual birth planning and improved outcomes, including a dramatic increase in shared decision-making, with patients who attended an appointment showing a 3.88 adjusted OR (aOR) (95% CI, 2.76, 5.50 [P < .001]) compared with those who did not.

The study also revealed a statistically significant reduction in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, with an aOR of 0.41 (95% CI, 0.20, 0.75, [P = .01]). Anderson noted this represented “about a 60% reduction.” She highlighted that research is now identifying associations with outcomes such as NICU admission and preterm birth that are not traditionally tied to shared decision-making. While the reduction in preterm birth was directional (aOR 0.49) rather than statistically significant, the trend warrants further investigation.

Despite a general decline in the adoption of virtual care in some medical fields, Anderson noted that obstetrics is seeing the opposite trend. Patients frequently prefer virtual appointments for their convenience and the ability to find a specialist who matches their personal experiences.

“We haven't really seen an issue with uptake. It's usually awareness, where people aren't aware that they have a specific benefit or aren't sure where to go to get those sorts of resources outside of what their [obstetrician-gynecologist] is giving them as options in the moment,” she concluded.

Reference

Brinson A, Jahnke H, Anderson J, Henrich N. Virtual birth planning appointments as a mechanism to improve birth outcomes for high-risk pregnancies. Presented at: American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists Annual Clinical & Scientific Meeting; May 1-3, 2026; Washington, DC.