III.A.3. MCH Success Story

As part of RIDOH MCH Program’s disparity elimination goal, supporting the availability of doula services and supports to womxn in RI has been a priority. Since doulas are trained professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to womxn during pregnancy, childbirth and the first few postpartum weeks, their services are essential. Doulas assist in making womxn as comfortable as possible during birth, providing help with breathing techniques, massage and advice, and can help advocate for the womxn during the birth. Births assisted by doulas have significantly lower rates of cesarean section, with one study showing a 39 percent reduction.

RIDOH’s MCH program supported legislation, identified reimbursement strategies, assisted role clarification, promoted certification, and convened stakeholders.   To provide support to Rhode Island doula networks, MCH entered into 2 contracts – one with a perinatal doula consultant, and the other with a BIPOC community-based organization (SISTA Fire).

With RIDOH’s leadership, there has been significant recent progress, namely Doula Certification Standards and the passage of Doula Reimbursement Legislation.  Doula Certification Standards are in the final stages of approval through the RI Certification Board.  The work that included polling doulas, facilitating meetings, and comprehensively weaving together a set of competencies for doula providers, was paid for and shepherded by the RIDOH MCH program.

A second major success for doulas in RI was the passage of the Doula Reimbursement Act (2021-S 0484) [webserver.rilin.state.ri.us] requiring reimbursement be given to doulas by both Medicaid and private insurance. The bill was developed and submitted to the RI General Assembly by a coalition of doulas, lawmakers, and community leaders and organizations.  Through their tireless advocacy, the bill was approved and will be implemented in July 2022.  

These successes will further RIDOH MCH’s 2020-2025 priority to eliminate disparities the Preconception, Pregnancy, and Postpartum (i.e., Women/Maternal) Health.