We are excited to announce that the Madriella Doula Network has been designated as a Doula Certifying Organization by the Minnesota Department of Health and has been listed on the Minnesota Doula Registry.

This means that we can now offer you training, certification, and support to become a certified birth doula in Minnesota!

In 2021, the Minnesota Legislature authorized the Commissioner of Health to review and approve organizations that train and certify doulas.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has designated certification organizations whose certified doulas may apply to be included on the State Register, in order for their clients to receive Medicaid coverage.

The Madriella Doula Network has been designated as a Doula Training organization, meaning that Madriella Doulas are eligible for inclusion on the Minnesota registry of certified doulas.

If you are interested in becoming a certified Doula in the State of Minnesota you can apply for the Madriella Doula Network training program here.

Trained doulas provide continuous labor support and have been shown to improve maternal and infant health, enhance engagement in maternity care, and reduce spending on childbirth-related expenses.

Community-based doula programs provide support to women who might otherwise have poor birth outcomes due to their social or financial circumstances.

Eliminating cost barriers is the most effective way to increase the use of this evidence-based service. The key recommendations identify numerous pathways toward Medicaid and private insurance coverage for doula care.

Studies show that doula care can reduce the likelihood of interventions such as C-sections and epidural pain relief while increasing the likelihood of shorter labor, natural vaginal birth, higher Apgar scores for babies, and an overall positive birth experience.

Several small, separate studies have shown that doula support may be associated with increased rates of breastfeeding and decreased prevalence of postpartum depression. However, this body of research has not yet identified any potential harm from continuous labor support.

Studies in three states multiple states (including Minnesota) have found that providing Medicaid reimbursements for doula care has the potential to achieve cost savings.

Despite widespread acknowledgment that Cesarean rates are too high, they remain at about one in every three births. Cesarean births cost approximately 50% more than vaginal births—adding $4,459 to the total cost per birth in the United States.

The Madriella Doula Network is dedicated to making Doula training as inexpensive and accessible as possible because more Doulas means better birth outcomes for women everywhere.