Proactively identifying and mitigating physical, emotional, and social risk factors to ensure optimal outcomes
Prioritize both Mom & Baby
Combining care for both mom and baby to provide all-around support before, during, and after delivery
Evidence-Based Care
Providing evidence-based care to support mothers and babies throughout their journey with well-researched and tested methods and techniques
Experienced Doulas
Take the first step toward a healthier you and baby
Receive a customized maternity plan specifically designed to address your and your baby's unique health needs. Our approach ensures that your treatment is tailored to your personal goals and challenges.
Comprehensive Assessments
Proven Techniques
Ongoing Support
Goal-Oriented Sessions
Comprehensive Assessments
Over 90% of mothers who use doula services report higher satisfaction with their birth experience, often citing emotional and physical support as key benefits.
Begin with a thorough assessment to gain a clear understanding of your prenatal and postpartum concerns, goals, and more. This process helps us identify the most effective strategies for your specific needs.
"My doula makes sure im doing well both emotionally and physically."
Denisa Wathson
FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a doula, and what do they do?
A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a person before, during, and after childbirth.
What kind of support can I expect from a doula?
Doulas can provide emotional support, pain relief techniques, and information about the birthing process. They can also help with breastfeeding, newborn care, and postpartum recovery.
While midwives and nurses provide medical care, doulas offer emotional and physical support, but they are not medical professionals.
How many prenatal and postpartum visits can I expect with a doula?
The number of visits varies, but typically, doulas offer prenatal check-ins, continuous support during labor, and postpartum visits.
FrequentlyAsked Questions
What is a doula, and what do they do?
A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a person before, during, and after childbirth.
How does a doula differ from a midwife or nurse?
While midwives and nurses provide medical care, doulas offer emotional and physical support, but they are not medical professionals.
What kind of support can I expect from a doula?
Doulas can provide emotional support, pain relief techniques, and information about the birthing process. They can also help with breastfeeding, newborn care, and postpartum recovery.
How many prenatal and postpartum visits can I expect with a doula?
The number of visits varies, but typically, doulas offer prenatal check-ins, continuous support during labor, and postpartum visits.
A doula is a trained birth professional who provides physical, mental, emotional, and informational support to a patient. This support is offered before, during, and shortly after childbirth. The goal is health, safety, and advocacy at every stage.
A doula is not a medical professional. Doulas do not perform exams, deliver babies, or administer medications. A doula's role is to make sure the parent feels informed, supported, and heard every step of the way — and to help the rest of the birth team understand what matters most to the family.
What is the difference between a doula, a midwife, or a nurse?
Midwives and nurses provide medical care: monitoring health, delivering the baby, and managing complications.
Doulas provide non-clinical support alongside medical providers: comfort measures, emotional reassurance, education, and advocacy.
You don't need to choose between a doula, midwife, or nurse. They work together.
Doula
Midwife
Nurse
Type of care
Non-clinical, whole-person support
Clinical, medical care
Clinical, medical care
Medical tasks
No
Yes
Yes
Emotional support
Core focus
Balanced with clinical duties
Offered where time allows
Comfort measures
Core focus
When time permits
Trained in some
Advocacy
Solely for the family
Within hospital protocol
Within hospital protocol
Education
Ongoing, many visits
Prenatal appointments
Mostly during hospital stay
Postpartum
Multiple dedicated visits
Typically one follow-up
Ends at discharge
Relationship
Consistent over months
Varies by practice
Often met at admission
Are Raya doulas certified?
Yes. Every doula in the Raya network is certified and approved by the state they practice in. On top of that, doulas go through Raya's own credentialing process:
Background checks
Skills verification
Ongoing quality reviews
Families can feel confident in the doula supporting them.
Does doula care really make a difference?
The research says yes. Compared with people who do not have a doula, patients with doula support are significantly better off across every major outcome measure.
52.9%
Less likely to have a cesarean delivery
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57.5%
Less likely to experience postpartum depression or anxiety
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4×
Less likely to have a baby with low birthweight
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90%+
Satisfaction reported with the overall birth experience
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Doula support has also been linked to a reduced need for pain medication and shorter labors.
Learn more
Why is doula care covered by insurance?
Doula care used to be an out-of-pocket luxury — putting it out of reach for many of the people who could benefit from it most. Maternal health outcomes in the United States vary widely by income, race, and insurance status.
As evidence connecting doula support to better outcomes grew, many states added doula care as a covered Medicaid benefit — recognizing it as a genuine, cost-effective way to close those gaps.
Raya was built to make that benefit simple to use:
In-network with 20+ health plans across California
Includes Medi-Cal managed care plans
All patients pay $0 out of pocket
Who benefits most from doula care?
Anyone giving birth can benefit from doula support. It can make an especially meaningful difference for:
First-time parents
Those navigating a high-risk pregnancy
Those recovering from a difficult past birth experience
Those for whom English is not a primary language
Those who wish to honor cultural or religious practices
Anyone who wants a dedicated advocate
How does this work?
01
Fill out an intake form
In a few minutes, we collect details about you and your insurance. Coverage gets verified within 24 hours.
02
Get matched with a doula
Personalized matches in your area are delivered for you to choose from. Pick the right doula with confidence.
03
Connect on the Raya Care Platform
Visits, messages with the care team, and helpful resources all live in one place.
04
Receive ongoing support
Your doula stays involved through prenatal visits, labor and delivery, and postpartum care. Raya handles billing and coordination behind the scenes.
Patients are eligible for an average of 12 appointments.
What happens at a doula appointment?
Prenatal Visits
Regular check-ins to talk through your birth plan
Answers to questions, big or small
Comfort and relaxation techniques
Building confidence heading into labor
Labor & Birth
Emotional and physical support throughout labor
Breathing techniques and positioning
Comfort measures
Advocacy, so your voice is heard in the room
Postpartum Visits
Support with breastfeeding and newborn care
Emotional wellbeing check-ins
Connections to additional resources while adjusting to life with a new baby
What if my doula isn't available during labor?
Every Raya patient has a backup doula from the Raya Network is arranged for them. That backup doula is made familiar with the patient's birth preferences and care plan, so no one navigates labor alone.
What's included in a care package?
✓
Included
✓
1 intake visit (1.5 hours)
✓
8 prenatal or postpartum visits (1 to 1.5 hours each), used however works best for you
✓
2 extended postpartum visits (3 hours each)
✓
Labor and delivery support
×
Not included
×
Clinical or medical services (blood pressure checks, fetal heart tones, vaginal exams)
×
Help with activities of daily living (nannying, housecleaning, etc.)
×
Group classes
×
Photography
×
Placenta encapsulation
×
Medications
×
Home birth without a medical professional
Unsure about a covered service? Reach out to support@findraya.com
From pregnancy support to postpartum guidance, Raya doulas provide personalized, insurance-covered care when you need it most.
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