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*MassHealth Doula Referrals
*Link to Full MA MassHealth Doula Directory
*How Do I Find a Doula / *What is A Doula
*Benefits of Doula Care
Our MassHealth Doula Referrals
- Serving Greater Boston
Click on any of the names below for their website
Mass Health Doula Referrals
Doulas are covered by Mass Health in the State of Massachusetts
- This is not for MA Health Connector Care plans such as Wellsense or Tufts, these are not covered (yet).
- If you have a MassHealth card / ID number. you qualify for fully covered support from a Doula!
- If you are lower income you may qualify for Mass Health when pregnant even if you did not qualify as an individual. Make sure to look into your qualifications!
Doula support coverage comes in 3 primary types of care
- Prenatal Care
- Postpartum Care
- Labor and Birth Care (this applies to vaginal, cesearean, abortion and loss)
* Labor and Birth is billed separately from any of The prenatal or postpartum care (your Doula gets paid a flat fee for supporting you in active labor and birth)
*For prenatal doula support (typically education helping you prepare for your birth) or for doula support postpartum, you are allocated up to 8 hours of support.
*In situations where more support is needed post partum, your doula can file for a request for an additional 8 hours.
Your Doula will do all the billing!
- You are responsible to let your doula know if your health care changes while you're pregnant.
- You need to provide your doula with your masshealth ID number, sign a medical release or contract with them and make sure they have your date of birth!
How do I find a Doula
First Off make sure you have a clear committment to use this support!
Doulas that are taking Mass Health clients are only paid if you use their support, so please do NOT contract a doula unless you are planning on following through, most of the doulas taking on this work are self employed and heavily relying on this income
Click on the Button Below to see the full directory of mass health doulas (in the state)
Or Look at OUR referrals below for Mass Health Doulas that live in or near Boston
- Click on the names for a website link. Top of this page.
Set up an Interview with a few doulas and pick the one that fits you the best!
- make sure to find out if they do these consults for free or if they bill for them.
- Many doulas will do a free 30 minute consult.
Create a Contract with your Doula
Your doula will send you a medical release or contract with medical release. Make sure your contract is clear on how many of your prenatal hours you are wanting to use for any education / prenatal visits with them.
If you are contracting a separate doula for postpartum hours, make sure they know how many hours you have already used prenatally.
What is a Doula -
- A doula provides expert non-medical support throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
- Doulas are trained professionals who offer continuous guidance, support and advocacy to ensure informed decision-making during the perinatal period.
- Many doulas also offer comfort techniques and physical support to people in labor, and most doulas offer basic prenatal education to birthing clients.
Birth Doulas Provide:
Physical Support
Position ideas for comfort and labor progression. Hands on comfort measures such as basic labor massage, counter pressure, and breathing techniques. A doula’s skilled experience, knowledge and positioning tools can often help a malpositioned baby find its way through the pelvis and into the birthing parent’s arms.
Emotional Support
Doulas help families to feel supported, easing the emotional experience of birth and helping to create a space where the hormones of labor can work at their best. Working with families to create a safe space, help prevent trauma and support better clarity in communication through the whole of your birth team.
Partner Support
Whether it’s a spouse, romantic partner, a friend or another family member supporting you, the birth partner’s experience matters in birth. Doulas are there to support every birth partner in being as involved as they would like with the birth. A doulas goal is not to become your birth partner, it is to be a part of a team that supports all of you with a special focus on the birthing person.
Evidence-Based Information and Advocacy
Doulas are trained to help families connect with evidence-based resources so they can ask clear questions and make informed decisions about their births. Your doula can serve as a bridge of communication between you and your providers, helping to provide clarity, lifting up your voice and assisting you in thinking through your choices.
If you aren't sure where to start or want more information please email us at info@birthinginboston.com
Benefits of doula care
- For mothers:
- Increased satisfaction with the birth experience.
- Lower rates of cesarean birth.
- Reduced need for pain medication like epidurals.
- Shorter labor durations.
- Lower rates of postpartum depression and anxiety.
- For babies:
- Lower risk of birth complications.
- Lower rates of low birth weight.
- Higher rates of breastfeeding initiation.
- Cost-effectiveness:
- Doula care can lead to significant savings in healthcare costs.
- Studies show it reduces cesarean deliveries, which are associated with higher healthcare spending.
- Equity and access:
- Doula support can improve health outcomes for marginalized populations, such as women with Medicaid insurance.
- It can help address racial disparities in birth outcomes.