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For Families
Welcome!
- Doulas are trained professionals who help you explore options, choices, and desires during pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
- You can connect with a doula at any point during pregnancy, though the earlier, the better.
- Doula care is unique! Doulas get to know you during your pregnancy, stay by your side throughout labor and birth and can continue to offer support after baby arrives.
- During your labor, a doula can offer hands-on comfort measures, breathing and coping strategies, and information to help you feel calm and prepared.
- Already had your baby? Some doulas specialize in helping families transition to life with a new baby.
Considering Hiring a Doula?
- MDHHS Doula Registry.
- This resource has questions to consider when interviewing a potential doula.
Benefits of Doula Care
One-on-one doula support has been shown to:
- Reduce stress, anxiety and pain.
- Promote self-efficacy and confidence.
- Shorten the duration of labor.
- Improve the rate of spontaneous vaginal birth.
- Reduce cesarean births.
Doula-assisted birthing people are:
- Four times less likely to give birth to a baby with low birth weight.
- Two times less likely to experience a birth complication involving themselves or their baby.
- Significantly more likely to initiate breastfeeding.
Want more information?
Medicaid Coverage of Doula Services
The Medicaid Coverage of Doulas (MMP 22-47) in Michigan was established in January 2023. Pregnant people who have Medicaid health insurance are eligible for doula care which includes:
- From pregnancy to birth and beyond, doulas help families explore options, choices, and desires.
- Families can receive up to 12 visits during pregnancy and up to one year after delivery.
- During labor and birth, doulas stay by your side, offering comfort and information that can help you feel calm and prepared.
- Already had your baby?
- Some doulas specialize in helping families transition to life with a new baby. These doulas are known as postpartum doulas - search "postpartum" on the MDHHS Doula Registry.
Please contact the MDHHS Doula Initiative with questions, concerns or inquiries at MDHHS-MIDoula@michigan.gov.
If you would like to receive updates from the MDHHS Doula Initiative, consider completing the MDHHS Doula Initiative Communication Subscription.