Doulas: New Mainstream Maternal Care Heroes

0:00It's March 28th. This is Global News today, your AI-powered source for world news. Dualists are stepping up big time in maternal care, offering hands-on emotional and physical support through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum without, being medical pros. What used to be a high-end service is going mainstream now that more than 30 states cover them through Medicaid, jumping from just 14 back. In late 2022, private insurers like United Health Care are jumping in too, with costs without coverage running over $2,000. Research is fueling this boom, showing dualist-cut risks like low-birthweight babies by four times and birth complications in half are underserved, moms. They also slash C-section chances by 47% for Medicaid users, drop pre-term bursts by 29% and boost postpartum checkups by 46%. That's huge when over half of maternal deaths hit after birth, and black moms face rates three times higher than white ones.

1:01Moms like single parents in Memphis swear by dualists as lifelines, helping through twins, C-sections, blood pressure scares, and baby blues. They connect families to resources, advocate in hospitals, and build lifelong bonds, making women feel safe instead of solo in a tough system. Doctors and nurses who once push back are now on board, with hospitals contracting dualists and birth teams appreciating the extra layer of care. Moms in places like Tennessee via United Health Care make it free for Medicaid folks, and states like Minnesota doubled sessions to 18 without red tape. This shift means better outcomes for moms and babies across the board, closing gaps in health disparities as dualists weave deeper into everyday care.