Doula services
We are committed to supporting members and their families on their pregnancy journey and after birth.
Blue Shield Promise doula services are part of our effort to improve access to pregnancy care. Our goal is a healthy outcome for parent and baby.
What is a doula?
Doulas are trained birth workers. They provide nonmedical support through pregnancy, labor and delivery. They can also assist you after your baby is born. Doulas can give support with miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion.
Their support is meant to add to—not replace—the medical care you receive from your obstetrician or midwife.
Doulas aim to provide the support you need. Doulas can help you feel informed, empowered, and supported. They can help through your pregnancy journey.
How a doula helps during pregnancy
Doulas support members of all backgrounds. This includes all races, cultures, and languages. They help you feel heard, informed, and confident.
How a doula helps during labor and delivery
Your doula may be present during childbirth.
They can give physical and emotional support. Doulas can help you talk to hospital staff. They help you share your birth plan wishes.
How a doula helps after pregnancy
A doula can help you with breastfeeding. They can support healing and recovery. Doulas can offer advice on infant care for up to 12 months after the end of pregnancy. A doula also provides support for a miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion.
Your covered services
To allow better access to doula, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Medical Director, Karen Mark, MD, provided a standing recommendation for the initial set of doula services for any Medi-Cal member. This is for people who are pregnant or were pregnant within the past year
The standing recommendation allows the following visits:
- 1 initial visit with your doula.
- Up to 8 additional visits. These can be a combination of prenatal and postpartum visits.
- Support during labor and delivery. This includes labor and delivery resulting in a miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion.
- Up to 2 three-hour postpartum visits after the end of pregnancy.
Members can get doula services up to 12 months after the end of pregnancy.
If you need more doula visits, up to 9 additional postpartum visits are available with a second recommendation. Call your primary care doctor or our Maternity Care Management team for assistance.
How do I get a doula through Blue Shield Promise?
To get started, please reach out to the Blue Shield Promise Maternity Care Management team at (888) 802-4410 (TTY: 711). We are here from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Friday.
Use our Find a doctor tool to find a doula near you.