The provider, Stork Club, recently incorporated professionally trained doulas as part of its family and fertility benefits offerings, with doulas providing expectant mothers physical, emotional and educational support outside a clinical setting during and after pregnancy.
“We've created a system that really does not make space for childbearing,” says Ellen Tilden, clinical scientist and associate professor at Oregon Health and Science University, and clinical director, maternity at Stork Club. “A doula is one option to bring in somebody who is focused on the emotional and educational needs of a person, and to be a partner or guide and offer companionship.”