What is a Doula and how do I find one?

A Doula is a trained birth professional who helps families have safe, healthy, and positive birth experiences. Doulas provide non-clinical emotional, physical, and informational support to pregnant people and their families before, during, and after birth. 

Doula services have been shown to positively impact the social determinants of health, support birth equity, and decrease existing health and racial disparities.

What is the difference between a Midwife and a Doula?

A Midwife is a trained medical professional who provides for all of a person’s prenatal care, birth, and the early postpartum period. A Doula provides you and your family with emotional, informational, and physical support during pregnancy, birth, and the early postpartum period. You can have both a Midwife and a Doula working together during and immediately after your pregnancy.

Can a Doula deliver my baby?

A Doula is not a substitute for a Midwife or Doctor. Doulas can give you information about exams, but only a midwife or doctor can order the tests and coordinate your clinical care. Doulas are able to advocate for you and your family to support your birth plan. Doulas are registered in Michigan, but they are not a licensed medical provider.

Doula services are now covered under some Insurance Plans and some Medicaid Health Plans (MHP). To be eligible:

• Contact your Insurance provider or Medicaid Health Plan to see if Doula services are covered by your insurance. 
  • Doulas providing services to Medicaid beneficiaries are required to be registered with MDHHS and enrolled as a Medicaid provider. Being “Medicaid-enrolled” does not necessarily mean a doula is enrolled as a provider for every Medicaid Health Plan (MHP). 
• Contact the individual doula to determine if they are accepting new clients and your insurance or Medicaid Health Plan (MHP).

You can find a registered Doula in your county here.