The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says there are now over 1,000 registered doulas in Michigan.

Dawn Shanafelt is the Director of the Division of Maternal & Infant Health for MDHHS. She says that’s twice the number of doulas the state department hoped to register by 2028. 

“Numerous doula trainings were approved by MDHHS and the Doula Advisory Council, as well as the cost for taking those trainings and the time it takes to attend the trainings was also reimbursed through the Doula Initiative,” she says.

Doulas are non-medical trained birthing assistants. 

Shanafelt says birth doulas provide benefits for expectant moms and babies, from reduced birth complications and medical interventions to postpartum care, especially if the care is provided early in the pregnancy.

“Improved mental health, reduced incidences of postpartum mood and anxiety disorder, and then really importantly, overall a satisfying birth experience in labor, birth and postpartum experience,” she says. 

People can choose a birthing assistant doula based on county or specialty through the Doula Registry, which has 700 Medicaid-enrolled doulas.

MDHHS says the state also hopes to improve birthing outcomes for Black and Indigenous families, who have higher mortality and morbidity rates compared to other populations. 

She says the state is hoping to increase the number of doulas in special populations that could benefit from a birthing assistant, including Black, Indigenous, and immigrant populations.

MDHHS says in fiscal year 2026, they will provide, “one Spanish-language training, one Arabic-language training and one Indigenous doula training,” and take on others upon request to The Doula Initiative team. 

Beginning in December, MDHHS will also expand identity options to include Indigenous doulas.