Lawsuits Rock Chelsea Clinton-Backed Maternity Start-Up
Chelsea Clinton at the Democratic National Convention on July 28, 2016. Photo by Ali Shaker for Voice of America. Public domain.
Oula, the boutique maternity start-up with celebrity endorsements and spa-like clinics, has billed itself as a revolution in birthing care. But for at least two families, the experience was anything but revolutionary — and now, legal papers are stacking up.
Zen Clinics, Real-World Consequences
Founded in 2021 by Harvard alum Adrianne Nickerson and NYU-trained Elaine Purcell, Oula aimed to reimagine pregnancy care by blending midwifery with medical oversight. Its clinics in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Norwalk feature leather chairs, clementine baskets, and the kind of polished interiors you'd expect from a Goop collaboration.
The concept attracted major investors, including Chelsea Clinton through Metrodora Ventures, and public endorsements from figures like Gayle King and Misty Copeland. Clinton herself posted on X in December 2023, "Very proud to be an investor in Oula as they continue to build a midwife-centered care model that has better outcomes for mothers & babies alike," as reported by the New York Post.
But as court documents now reveal, the model may be falling short of its high-minded ideals.
Second Lawsuit in 2 Years
The most recent lawsuit, filed in March 2025 by realtor Vantisha Knowles in New York State Supreme Court, alleges that Oula's team acted negligently during the birth of her second child. According to Knowles, the clinic "rushed" her labor and pushed her into a C-section that resulted in "grave and permanent injuries," according to the New York Post. The suit also names Mount Sinai Hospital and Oula OB/GYN Dr. Ila Dayananda, formerly of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York.
Knowles said her post-delivery complaints were dismissed. "They just told me to go to emergency. They had not solutions for me. Why couldn't I just go through them?" she told the New York Post, noting that her injuries required hospitalization and blood transfusions.
This is not the first time Oula has faced scrutiny. In 2023, a Brooklyn couple sued the company, alleging that negligence by Oula midwives during delivery at Mount Sinai West resulted in their baby suffering hypoxic brain damage. That lawsuit is ongoing.
A Promising Idea, Complicated by Practice
Oula was launched as a solution to the high C-section rates and maternal mortality numbers in the U.S., where more than 32% of births in 2022 were via cesarean — over double the World Health Organization's recommended rate.
Their pitch is compelling: lower costs, fewer interventions, and a more compassionate model of care. But the recent lawsuits raise questions about whether the company's fast growth has outpaced its ability to deliver on those promises.
"They're growing fast, but they don't seem to understand their own business," said a source cited by the New York Post, noting that Oula has lost several midwives in recent months. "Oula is a rudderless ship. A lot of the midwives are burned out, and scared they will be hit with malpractice suits."
A Model Under Fire
Both lawsuits target Oula's reliance on midwife-led care without sufficient obstetrician backup. In the case involving the brain-damaged infant, plaintiffs argue that doctors and nurses at Mount Sinai West failed to act swiftly enough during delivery. They claim "contraindicated procedures" were used and allege that the delay led to fetal distress, according to the New York Post.
Since then, Mount Sinai West has reportedly assigned a dedicated OB/GYN to oversee Oula births. But according to anonymous sources, Oula previously depended on available hospital staff during emergencies — a risky model for patients facing sudden complications.
Despite these setbacks, Oula continues to expand. It now operates four clinics and has delivered more than 1,500 babies. The company has also raised over $50 million in funding from a roster of high-profile backers, including Jonathan Bush, the embattled former CEO of Athenahealth.
The Verdict Is Still Out
In response to media inquiries, Oula has remained tight-lipped, citing medical privacy laws. "We do not comment on medical claims due to healthcare privacy laws," a spokesperson told the New York Post.
As for Knowles and the unnamed Brooklyn parents, their legal cases continue. Meanwhile, potential patients and investors are left to weigh the contradictions: a company that promises empowerment and safety for birthing people, but finds itself increasingly dogged by claims of harm.
References: Glamorous maternity start-up backed by Chelsea Clinton sued for negligence: court docs | Ultra-trendy midwifery company backed by Chelsea Clinton is sued after baby is born with brain damage
