What Is a Doula Welcome Visit — And Why It Matters (Melancentric)

Jul 14

A welcome visit is your first, no-pressure meeting with Melancentric. We listen to your goals, explain what doula care covers (including Medi‑Cal benefits), and map out your prenatal, birth, and postpartum support. You leave with a clear plan, next steps, and how to reach us 24/7 when labor begins.

At a glance

Format: 60 minutes (virtual or in‑person)
Who it’s for: Pregnant, postpartum (up to 1 year), or navigating loss
What you’ll leave with: Personalized care plan, visit schedule, hospital/birth‑center prep checklist, and direct contact options
Cost: Complimentary consult. If you’re on Medi‑Cal, doula care is covered; we handle plan paperwork.

What we cover in your Welcome Visit

Your story & goals. What you want for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum; access, language, and cultural needs.
Scope & teamwork. What doulas do (and don’t do), how we coordinate with your clinical team, and how to reach us day or night.
Benefits overview. How coverage works (Medi‑Cal, Insurance plans and Self-pay), visit types, and extended postpartum options.
Birth prep starter. Hospital/center logistics, your support people, mobility with/without epidural, comfort measures, and partner roles.
Postpartum plan. Feeding/lactation support, recovery basics, safe sleep overview, community resources.
Next steps. Scheduling your first prenatal visit and setting up text/phone check‑ins.

Why the Welcome Visit matters

Clarity lowers stress. A clear plan and single point‑of‑contact reduce anxiety and decision fatigue.
Better birth experiences. Continuous, one‑to‑one support (like a doula) is linked with shorter labors, less need for interventions, and higher satisfaction.
Smoother hospital navigation. You’ll know what to expect, what to pack, and how to advocate respectfully with your team.
Postpartum readiness. We set up lactation help, recovery check‑ins, and two extended 3‑hour postpartum support options if you qualify.

Evidence note: This page cites leading professional guidance and high‑quality reviews (ACOG, Cochrane). See Sources below.

If you have Medi‑Cal

Good news: California Medi‑Cal covers doula services during pregnancy, birth, and up to one year postpartum, including support after miscarriage or abortion.

How to start (fast):

Tell us your county and health plan. Not sure which plan you have? We’ll check.
If your plan asks for a written recommendation, we’ll coordinate it with your provider.
Choose Melancentric as your doula and pick virtual or in‑person visits.
Book your first prenatal visit. We’ll text you confirmations and reminders.

Included with most plans: One initial visit, up to eight prenatal/postpartum visits in any mix, labor & birth support, and up to two extended 3‑hour postpartum visits within the first year postpartum. (Plan details vary; we’ll confirm yours.)

FAQs

Do I need a referral? Some plans require a simple written recommendation; we’ll obtain it for you.

Is this medical care? Doulas provide non‑medical support. We don’t diagnose, treat, or make clinical decisions—and we work alongside your clinical team.

Can you support loss or NICU stays? Yes. We provide compassionate support after miscarriage, abortion, or stillbirth, and help you navigate resources and follow‑up care.

What if I choose an epidural? Great. We support medicated and unmedicated births—helping with positioning, mobility in bed, monitoring comfort, and partner coordination.

How do I reach you when labor starts? You’ll have a direct text/phone line to your doula, plus backup support.