A doula — also known as a birth companion or post-birth supporter — provides physical, information, and emotional support to pregnant and postpartum people. They are non-medical workers and often do not need to be licensed to provide services. Many states require doulas to be at least 18 years old, CPR- certified for adults and infants, and trained on HIPAA compliance.
shows that people who are supported by a doula during labor and childbirth are less likely to require a C-section or use pain medication, and more likely to give birth spontaneously, have a shorter labor, and feel satisfied with their birthing experience. A 2022 Anthem st Udy_, for example, used Medicaid claims from multiple states to compare
maternal health outcomes between moms who did and did not receive doula care. Women who received doula care had 53% lower odds of-cesarean delivery and 58% lower odds of postpartum depression/ postpartum anxiety.
