On Friday January 3rd, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced that the doula benefit for pregnant families has been increased. In addition to the former ‘global doula package’, which consisted or two prenatals, labor support and two postpartum visits, OHA has added four additional visits to the package.
The additional visits can be used any time during the perinatal period, meaning during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum.
Families get to work with their doula to decide how to best allocate these additional visits. For example, families may choose to use two of the four additional visits to have more time to prepare for birth with their doula, and use the remaining two as postpartum visits to have their doula help them settle into life with a new baby. Alternatively, families could choose to use all the additional visits in the postpartum period, making for a total of 6 visits after baby has been born.
In my care, this means we have the flexibility to add in a prenatal visit if plans change and an induction or cesarean section becomes necessary or desired. We could also use one of our additional visits to have a one-on-one pushing workshop (yes, I teach this!) if you know you want or may want an epidural. It could also mean I come offer support in the first few days at home with baby. With OHP families, I offer my lactation services for free when I conduct a doula visit.
The increase in doula visits will be a major improvement toward making sure families are well-supported as they grow.
Curious what options I offer for prenatal and postpartum support, and how this updated benefit could change the way your doula care looks? Reach out for a consultation- I’d love to talk about your options!
