Top 5 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Birth Doula + Medicaid Coverage by State

🌸 Why Every Mama Deserves a Birth Support System 

by Kelly Marie, Host of the Healthy Illness Podcast

Hey, mama 💕 — if you're expecting, planning, or even just curious about what birth could look like with more support, this one's for you.

May is International Doula Month, and as a newly certified doula and lifelong mental health advocate, I’ve never been more passionate about the power of support during pregnancy and childbirth.

On recent episodes of the Healthy Illness Podcast, I opened up about why I became a doula, what you should know before hiring one, and how to take control of your birthing experience — emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

What’s the Difference Between a Doula and a Midwife?

Great question — and one I get all the time!

🔹 A midwife is a trained medical professional who provides clinical care during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. They can perform physical exams, monitor the baby’s health, deliver babies, and in many states, even prescribe medications. Midwives often work in hospitals, birthing centers, or attend home births.

🔹 A doula, on the other hand, is a non-medical support person who focuses on your emotional, physical, and informational needs. We help you create a birth plan, ease pain with comfort techniques during labor (like breathing, movement, or massage), and advocate for your wishes — but we don’t deliver babies or make medical decisions.

🗣️ A midwife is for your medical needs. A doula is for YOU.

You can have one, the other — or both! Together, they make a powerful birth team, blending medical care with continuous emotional and physical support.

✨ Why I Became a Doula

As a Black woman in the U.S., I’ve seen — and personally felt — the gaps in maternal care. Black women are 3x more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. That’s not okay. I wanted to be part of the solution — someone who uplifts your voice, reminds you that this is YOUR experience, and helps protect your peace when medical settings feel overwhelming.

That’s why I trained under Shannon Johns and Nikia Lawson at Calming Nature Doula and became certified — to help mamas feel seen, heard, and supported.

And the stats don’t lie. Women who have the support of a doula are:

✅ 28% less likely to have a C-section 

✅ 31% less likely to need Pitocin 

✅ 9% less likely to use pain meds 

✅ 34% more likely to report a positive birth experience

(Source: Childbirth Connection)

🧘🏾‍♀️ Building Your Birth Team

Hiring a doula is about chemistry, communication, and clarity.

Here are the Top 5 Questions I recommend asking:

1. What’s your training and experience? (We aren’t regulated, so always ask!)

2. What’s included in your services — and what do you charge?

3. Have you worked with families like mine? (Think culture, birth goals, etc.)

4. When do you show up for labor — and how long do you stay?

5. Do you have a backup if you can’t make it?

And remember — interview more than one doula. Your comfort and trust in them matter more than credentials alone.

🏥 Can Medicaid Help Cover the Cost?

YES — in several states, Medicaid now does cover doula services! 🎉

Here’s a quick snapshot as of 2025:

🗺️ State	🩺 Medicaid Covers Doulas?
Minnesota	✅ Yes
Oregon	✅ Yes
New York	✅ Yes (expanding)
Rhode Island	✅ Yes
New Jersey	✅ Yes
Nevada	✅ Yes
Florida	✅ Yes (limited scope)
Virginia	✅ Yes
Michigan	✅ Yes (expanded in 2023)
California	✅ Yes
Washington, D.C.	✅ Yes

💡 Tip: If you’re on Medicaid, ask your provider about local doulas in their network or community-based doula programs. You can also contact your state’s Medicaid office or a local birth justice organization.

💖 Your voice. Your birth. Your power.

🌼 To All the Moms-to-Be...

Congratulations, mama. Whether you’re weeks or months away from meeting your baby, you’re already doing one of the most powerful things you’ll ever do — preparing with intention and love.

This Mother’s Day may be your first, but it’s already worth celebrating. You are a mother in heart, in spirit, and soon, in arms.

From my heart to yours — Happy First Mother’s Day. 💐

🎧 Want more support and wisdom? 

Tune into these episodes of the Healthy Illness Podcast:

🎙️ Episode 119: Who’s Advocating for You? The Role of Doulas in Maternal Health

🎙️ Episode 120: Hiring a Doula? Don’t Do It Until You Hear This 

🎙️ Episode 121: 20 Questions to Ask When Choosing the Right Doula

💌 Subscribe for more stories, support, and real conversations on mental health, motherhood, and advocacy.

🌱 Final Thoughts: You Are Not Alone

You deserve to feel confident, informed, and fully supported — no matter how or where you give birth.

A doula is more than just a birth coach. We’re your second set of ears, your gentle guide, your reminder that you’ve got this.

So during this International Doula Month, I invite you to explore what support could look like for your unique journey — because a supported birth is a safer birth.