About doulas
A doula provides invaluable emotional and physical support to guide women and their partners during the important early stages of pregnancy through labor and delivery, and can offer expertise on feeding and caring for the newborn. For families facing a baby in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a birth defect diagnosis, or the devastation of pregnancy or infant loss, specialized doulas step in to offer compassion and empathy with these difficult experiences.
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Benefits of having a doula
Adding a doula to your family plan can create the ultimate dream team. Research shows great benefits of having a doula's support throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, including:
• Shorter labor duration
• Reduced need for pain medication like epidurals
• Improved overall maternal satisfaction
• Lower risk of medical interventions like Cesarean births (C-sections)
• Assistance with comfort, procedures, confidence, hospital communication
• Increased likelihood that a mom will breastfeed her baby
• Reduced risk of postpartum depression
Finding a doula
Doulas practice independently or as part of collectives or agencies. So, if you’d like to find a doula, you can contact them directly or search directories to find the right fit. Here's some things you’ll want to know:
- Costs vary by state and provider, insurance coverage is limited
- Many offer sliding scale fees based on income or payment plans
- If insured by Medicaid, coverage depends on your state
- 17 states are considering/implementing Medicaid doula coverage
- Check with your insurance provider before hiring to understand options
Visit doula sites below:
DONA International
Doula Match
Black Doulas.org
Black Doulas Directory
Hear from a doula
Curious about working with a doula during your pregnancy? Hear from doula and public health professional Brittney Palmer, together with two moms, lifestyle blogger Ayana Lage and HR professional Daniella Flemings, who worked with doulas during their pregnancies. Hear their stories about the support doulas provided for them and find out how you can access the help of a doula. We’ll also talk about the services doulas provide, the difference between a doula and a midwife, the different types of doulas, the costs and benefits of a doula, and so much more!
Ask Me Anything
Watch our Instagram and TikTok “Ask Me Anything” chats with doulas Jessica Dill and Tamara Mason. They answered viewer questions and shared about the care and compassion doulas provide along the pregnancy journey.
It Starts With Mom Live
But how?
Having a baby and becoming a mom can be both exciting and overwhelming! There are so many decisions you’ll make during pregnancy and after. Having a doula as part of your care and support team can make a big difference.
Join us for an important conversation moderated by Good Morning America Weekend Co-anchor Janai Norman with Dr. Elizabeth Cherot and doulas Sanyika Williams and Kayla Natalie to learn the Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Doulas.