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Programa de Doulas de la Aldea
Ahora disponible apoyo de doula gratuito o a bajo costo.
The Village Doula Community connects mothers and families with independent doula professionals offering pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support across Maryland’s Eastern Shore and surrounding areas, including families planning to deliver in Delaware or on the Western Shore.
Tell us about your needs, planned birth location, language preferences, and insurance or budget. We’ll help you explore available doulas who may be a good fit. Depending on the provider and your circumstances, options may include private-pay, insurance-covered, or no-cost or reduced-cost support.
We believe every birthing parent deserves doula support. Connecting early in pregnancy gives you more time to build a trusting relationship and prepare together. If you’re further along in your pregnancy, don't worry! It is never too late to reach out!
Availability, fees, travel areas, and insurance participation vary by doula.
Delivering at Easton Hospital?
Doulas do not count as visitors at Easton Hospital and are allowed during labor and postpartum.
What is a Doula?
A trained professional who provides non-medical physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.
What a Doula Does:
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Offers calm, consistent support before, during, and after birth
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Advocates for your wishes and helps communicate with your care team
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Provides comfort through touch, breathing, and relaxation
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Assists with postpartum recovery and breastfeeding
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Connects you with local resources and community support
Why have a Doula by Your Side?
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Shorter labors and fewer medical interventions
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Reduced stress and anxiety during birth
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Greater confidence and satisfaction with your experience
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More support for your partner
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Someone focused entirely on you and your birthing experience
Insurance & Medicaid Coverage
Maryland Medicaid covers doula services at no cost to eligible members through participating providers. If you have Maryland Medicaid, complete our doula matching intake form so we can help connect you with an available doula who accepts your coverage.
We also encourage Maryland Medicaid members to join Mae for pregnancy and postpartum resources, care coordination, and help navigating benefits. Please complete our matching form even if you also sign up for Mae. Mae helps facilitate the connection between doulas who accept Medicaid plans and moms who have Medicaid.
Some private insurance plans cover doula services. Check with your insurer and prospective doula to confirm coverage, provider requirements, and any out-of-pocket costs.
If you don’t have coverage or cost is a barrier, tell us in your intake form. No-cost and reduced-cost doula support options are currently available. We’ll help you explore options based on your needs, planned birth location, and doula availability.
Medicaid benefits vary by state. Families with Delaware Medicaid or another state’s coverage should confirm their benefits and provider requirements.
How experienced are these doulas?
The Village Doula Community includes independent doulas with a range of training, experience, and specialties. Some are newer to doula work, while others have established practices.
When you interview potential doulas, ask about their training, experience, approach, and familiarity with your planned birth location. These conversations help you choose someone you feel comfortable with.
The Village Doula Community brings doulas together through shared learning, professional connection, and a commitment to improving maternal health outcomes.
Our Shared Mission
The Village Doula Community brings independent doula professionals together around a shared mission: improving maternal health outcomes and expanding access to doula support across Maryland’s Eastern Shore and surrounding areas.
Through professional connection, continued learning, and community outreach, The Village Doula Community works to reduce financial and language barriers to support, with particular attention to Spanish-speaking families and BIPOC communities.
The Village Doula Community is currently supported by funding from the Talbot County Health Department through the Babies Born Healthy: Doula Training and Capacity Building grant. This funding supports our work to expand access to doula care and strengthen our local doula community.
How do I connect with a doula in this program?
Click “Request a Doula Match” and complete the form. Our team will review your information and aim to connect you with three independent doulas to interview, based on your needs, preferences, and planned birth location. The number of potential matches depends on doula availability.
You choose whom you’d like to work with. Once you’ve chosen, please let us know so we can update your matching request.
Submitting the form does not guarantee a match or no-cost services.
Our goal is to make the process easy, personal, and supportive—so you can focus on preparing for your baby with the right person by your side.