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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?

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.