Ultimate Doula FAQ – Melancentric

At Melancentric, we believe knowledge is power.
Whether you're exploring doula services for the first time or you're navigating Medi-Cal benefits, we're here to provide clear, compassionate answers to all your questions.

General Doula Questions

Q: What is a doula?
A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after childbirth.
Doulas are not medical providers, but they work alongside your healthcare team to ensure you feel supported and empowered.

Q: What’s the difference between a doula and a midwife?
A midwife provides clinical care (like delivering babies and monitoring medical health), while a doula provides emotional and physical support without performing medical procedures.

Q: Do doulas replace doctors or nurses?
No. Doulas are an additional layer of support. We work alongside your medical team to help you feel safe, heard, and empowered.

Q: When should I hire a doula?
Anytime during pregnancy! Some hire doulas early (first trimester); others hire closer to their due date. It's never too late to start.

Q: Can I have a doula if I’m planning a hospital birth?
Absolutely. Doulas support hospital, birth center, and home births. Melancentric doulas are specially trained to work inside hospitals.

Q: Can a doula support C-sections and epidurals?
Yes! Doulas support ALL kinds of births — medicated, unmedicated, surgical, and vaginal. We help you make empowered choices no matter what path your birth takes.

Q: Can a doula advocate for me in the hospital?
Doulas help YOU advocate for yourself. We guide you to ask questions, understand options, and stay connected to your birth plan — but we don’t speak on your behalf.

Pregnancy and Birth Support Questions

Q: What does a doula actually do during labor?
Comfort techniques (breathing, positioning, massage), emotional reassurance, helping your partner support you, encouraging movement, guiding you through decision points if they arise.

Q: Will my doula be with me the whole labor?
Yes! Once active labor starts, your doula stays with you throughout labor and delivery unless hospital visitor restrictions apply (and even then, we adjust with virtual or backup plans).

Q: Can a doula support homebirths and birth centers too?
Yes! We support birth wherever you choose to deliver.

Q: Can a doula help if I have an induction?
Definitely. Doulas help during inductions by offering coping strategies, comfort measures, and helping you understand the process step-by-step.

Postpartum and Recovery Support

Q: Do doulas help after the baby is born?
Yes — postpartum doulas help with newborn care, breastfeeding, healing, sleep routines, emotional support, and household organization.

Q: How long does postpartum doula support last?
Through Medi-Cal, you can receive postpartum doula support for up to 12 months after delivery.

Q: Can I still get a doula if I’m struggling emotionally after birth?
Yes. Doulas are trained to provide emotional support, screen for postpartum mood disorders, and connect you to resources if you need extra help.

Full-Spectrum Doula Support (Loss, Miscarriage, Abortion)

Q: Can doulas support miscarriage, abortion, or stillbirth?
Yes. Full-spectrum doulas provide compassionate, nonjudgmental support during pregnancy loss, abortion, or stillbirth.

Q: What does miscarriage or abortion doula support include?
Emotional support, help with processing grief, physical recovery guidance, connecting you to mental health resources, holding space without judgment.

Medi-Cal Specific Doula Questions

Q: Does Medi-Cal cover doulas?
Yes. Medi-Cal covers doula services for pregnancy, labor, postpartum, miscarriage, abortion, and stillbirth experiences.

Q: Who qualifies for free doula services through Medi-Cal?
Anyone with active Medi-Cal who is pregnant, postpartum (up to 12 months), or who has experienced pregnancy loss.

Q: What services are included with Medi-Cal doula benefits?

• 1 Welcome/Intake Visit

• Up to 8 Prenatal or Postpartum Visits

• Labor and Delivery Support

• 2 Extended 3-Hour Postpartum Visits

• Additional postpartum visits with a doctor's approval

Q: Do I need a referral for Medi-Cal doula services?
Most members do NOT need a referral, thanks to a statewide standing recommendation. However, some Medi-Cal managed care plans may ask for a referral, and Melancentric can assist with that if needed.

Q: What Medi-Cal health plans does Melancentric work with?

• Molina Healthcare (San Diego County)

• Inland Empire Health Plan (San Bernardino and Riverside Counties)

• Santa Clara Family Health Plan (Santa Clara County)

• Central California Alliance for Health (Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Merced Counties)

• Health Plan of San Mateo (San Mateo County)