It's time for open enrollment and we're seeing some new benefits for expectant families at big-name employers. Walmart is one of them. It just expanded its doula services nationwide, covering up to $1,000 for the cost of a doula during pregnancy.
Doulas are experts trained to support people before, during and sometimes even after birth. Here's why that support is needed: we're seeing a rise in maternal death rates and it's worse among racial and ethnic groups. According to the CDC, Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women.
"I often think of doula services as not a luxury at all, but a way for families to have access for education, advocacy and mitigating a lot of potential negative outcomes all in one highly trained professional," said Krista Maltais, an Advanced Postpartum Doula and Postpartum Doula Trainer with DONA International.
You may live in a state where Medicaid reimburses doula services. According to data from The National Health Law Program, eleven states and Washington, D.C. provide coverage.