Doula Program
The Denver Health Doula Program’s mission is to provide devoted, equitable doula support during labor and birth for people and families at Denver Health. Illness from birthing in the U.S. is higher than in most developed countries despite spending more on health care. Additionally, the risk of death due to pregnancy and birth is 3-4 times higher for black or indigenous birthers, and rates of newborn illness and death are at least twice as high for babies of color.
The pregnancy and birth health crisis in the United States is tragic, and advocating for and supporting families during this time will improve the long-term health of individuals, families, and communities.
Birthing support from doulas has been linked to decreased interventions, lower rates of cesareans, and less postpartum depression. Doulas have also been linked to increased vaginal deliveries, breastfeeding rates, and increased satisfaction with the birth experience. In addition to better outcomes, improved birth experiences have strong ties to parenting confidence and improved parent/child connection.
Denver Health has a diverse group of doulas on staff that represent our patient population. By advocating for and supporting patients at such a unique and vulnerable time, we are supporting the health of Colorado communities.
Learn more about the evidence for doula support
History of the Denver Health Doula Program
The Denver Health Doula Program was founded in January 2016 as a volunteer program and has been serving patients at Denver Health since September 2016. In 2017, the Denver Health Doula Program began recruiting, training, and certifying community members as birth doulas. Since that time, the program has trained over 150 doulas.
In 2024, Colorado passed legislation reimburse for doula services, so during this year the program transitioned from a volunteer-based program to an employed service at Denver Health. To learn more about job openings, please visit our Careers page.
Frequently Asked Questions
A birth doula is a non-medical professional that supports a birthing person and their family during pregnancy, labor and postpartum. Birth doulas provide emotional support, comfort measures and share
information and resources. Doulas help the birthing person and their family understand options, guidance through the labor process and offer encouragement. Doulas do not deliver babies or offer medical advice, but work alongside doctors, midwives and nurses to make the experience more positive and decrease stress. Birth doulas can help with movement, breathing, relaxation, and find ways to cope with contractions.
Choosing to have a doula can be helpful because they offer extra support during childbirth. Doulas can explain what is happening and answer questions, so the birthing person knows what to expect. Having a doula can make the experience feel more peaceful and can help the birthing person feel more in control and supported. Birth doulas also support family members and help them be more involved.
Doula services are covered by Colorado Medicaid, Denver Health Medicaid Choice and Denver Health Medical Plan. If you have a different insurance provider, there may be a cost to you for doula support. Please check your insurance to see if they cover doula services. If you prefer to bring your own private doula, you are encouraged to do so, and they are welcome at Denver Health.
Denver Health doulas meet with patients when they come to the hospital to have their baby. Denver Health doulas are available on a first come, first served basis, and work under a shift model. If you would like doula support, please tell your doctor, midwife or nurse when you come in to have your baby. Although we cannot guarantee one will be available, we will do our best to find you a doula!
The Denver Health Doula Program offers comprehensive birth doula training for community members who want to be doulas. Learn about Denver Health’s doula training program at The Center for Doula Excellence.
