f your OB-GYN or midwife mentioned working with a doula, you might be wondering what that actually means. You’re not alone — many families hear the word doula for the first time during pregnancy, often right after learning that doula services can be covered by insurance or Medi-Cal.
Let’s talk about what doulas do, how we support you, and why this care can make such a difference.
🤍 What a Doula Does
A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.
That means:
- Helping you prepare for birth with education and confidence
- Supporting you and your partner during labor with comfort techniques, encouragement, and advocacy
- Checking in postpartum to help with feeding, recovery, and emotional adjustment
Unlike doctors or nurses, doulas don’t perform medical tasks — we walk beside you, helping you feel calm, supported, and seen every step of the way.
🩺 Why Your OB-GYN or Midwife Recommended a Doula
More and more providers are recommending doulas because research shows that doula support can:
- Reduce stress and anxiety during pregnancy
- Shorten labor and lower the need for certain medical interventions
- Improve satisfaction with the birth experience
- Support emotional recovery and bonding after birth
Your OB-GYN knows that medical care and emotional support go hand in hand — and that’s where a doula fits perfectly.
💳 Yes — Doula Care Can Be Covered by Insurance or Medi-Cal
In California, many health plans now cover doula services at no cost to families.
This includes:
- Medi-Cal (state coverage)
- Kaiser Permanente
- Contra Costa Health Plan
- Partnership HealthPlan
- San Francisco Health Plan
- And several other HMO or commercial plans
Coverage typically includes prenatal visits, birth support, and postpartum care — just like other essential health services.
When you submit my Start Eligibility + Intake Request, I handle insurance verification for you so we can focus on what really matters: your care and experience.
🌼 What It’s Like to Work with Me
I’m Maria Garcia, a certified doula serving families in the Bay Area and across California.
I provide bilingual (English & Spanish) support for families who want warm, calm, and relationship-based care.
Once your coverage is verified, we begin care with a personalized intake and schedule prenatal visits to prepare for your birth together.
My goal is to make sure you feel supported — not just during birth, but through the emotional and physical transitions that follow.
💛 Ready to Begin?
If your OB-GYN, midwife, or friend recommended a doula, and you’re ready to start care, you can submit your form here:
👉 Start Eligibility + Intake Request
If you’d like to read more about my approach, visit:
👉 What You Should Know Before Hiring Me
And remember: doula care is about you — your comfort, your choices, and your peace of mind.
🕊️ Quick Recap
- A doula offers emotional and physical support before, during, and after birth.
- Insurance and Medi-Cal now cover doula care for many families in California.
- No medical procedures — just presence, comfort, and guidance.
- You deserve to feel calm, informed, and supported at every step.
