The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the professional organization that sets the standards for OB-GYN clinical care in the U.S., released new guidance last week supporting collaboration between OB-GYNs and doulas during the birthing journey. The guidance comes as Arkansas implements new certification and health coverage requirements intended to expand access to doula services.
Doulas are certified, non-clinical caregivers who provide physical, emotional, and informational support to pregnant people and their partners before, during, and after childbirth.
ACOG’s new guidance focuses on increasing both patient and provider understanding of the roles, availability, and benefits of doula services. The updated guidance is summarized as follows:
- OB-GYNs should educate themselves about doulas’ spectrum of practice and the benefits of their work.
- OB-GYNs should create synergistic, respectful teams that include doulas in ways that benefit patients and the workplace.
- OB-GYNs should educate patients about the various roles of a doula and should be aware of local resources to assist patients in identifying doulas and related community resources.
- OB-GYNs should be aware that there are various coverage and access options for doula support.
- OB-GYNs should advocate for and support research on partnerships with doulas and the roles of doulas in OB-GYN care.
This guidance encourages relationship building and partnerships between maternity care providers and doulas, which have historically varied across clinical settings. It also serves as a strong affirmation of the positive impacts of doula care on birth outcomes, providing national support for state policy efforts to expand doula access.
Arkansas has taken several steps to expand access to doula care. Act 124 of 2025, the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act, requires Medicaid to reimburse doulas for home-visitation services related to prenatal and postpartum care. Act 965 of 2025 establishes a certification process for community-based doulas and mandates both Medicaid and private insurance coverage for qualifying doula services. However, as of July 2026, the Arkansas Department of Human Services is still working to finalize and implement reimbursement rules for doulas, meaning that financial access to covered doula services through Medicaid is delayed. ACOG’s new recommendations reinforce the important role of doulas as the state continues its efforts to implement those requirements.
The ACHI Health Policy Board adopted a policy statement in January 2024 supporting expanded access to doula care as a strategy for addressing maternal mortality in Arkansas, citing studies that show mothers who receive doula support during birth are less likely to experience negative outcomes. ACOG’s guidance provides additional support for doula services and reinforces current and future state efforts to expand doula access for Arkansas mothers.
