Doulas and Birth Support
Personalized support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care
Doula support provides continuous emotional, physical, and informational care throughout pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. Doulas work alongside your clinical care team to help you feel informed, supported, and confident throughout your childbirth experience.
Doulas can support a wide range of birth plans and preferences, including medicated, unmedicated, and cesarean deliveries. Their goal is to meet your individual needs and help create a positive, supported birth experience.
Availability of doula services within Aspirus
Currently, the only location within Aspirus offering doula support is at Aspirus St. Luke’s in Duluth, Minnesota.
Patients receiving care at this location may have access to specialized doula support through a structured program designed to improve access, support, and birth outcomes.
Aspirus St. Luke’s Plus One Doula Program
The Plus One Doula Program is a collaborative initiative between Aspirus St. Luke’s and Doulas of Duluth, created to expand access to doula care during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum.
Supported through a grant from the Bush Foundation, this program helps remove financial barriers by offering partial or full scholarships for eligible patients. The goal is to improve birth equity and ensure more families have access to continuous, supportive care.
To apply or learn more about the program, fill out the form below and Aspirus St. Luke’s will contact you within 2 business days.
Apply for Doula Support
What is a doula?
A doula is a trained professional who provides non-medical support to expectant parents during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum recovery.
They offer education, resources, comfort techniques, and emotional reassurance, helping you feel prepared and confident throughout your birth experience.
Benefits of doula support
Having a doula can improve both your birth experience and outcomes. Benefits may include:
- A more positive overall childbirth experience
- Reduced likelihood of labor complications
- Fewer medical interventions during labor
- Lower risk of maternal health concerns
- Shorter labor duration in some cases
- Reduced likelihood of cesarean delivery in low-risk pregnancies
- Continuous support for both patient and partner
What to expect when working with a doula
Doula care begins with a consultation to help match you with the right doula for your birth team.
Before delivery, you will typically meet one to three times to build rapport, discuss your birth preferences, and receive education and preparation resources.
During labor, your doula will be on-call and provide continuous support. After birth, they remain with you briefly and may provide one to three follow-up visits to support recovery and adjustment.
Eligibility for the Plus One Doula Program
To apply, patients must meet the following criteria:
- Be a patient of Aspirus St. Luke’s
- Plan to deliver at an Aspirus St. Luke’s birthing center
- Be no later than 28 weeks gestation
This program is available to all eligible patients regardless of race, ethnicity, cultural background, or socioeconomic status. Exceptions may be considered in certain circumstances.
Program cost and financial support
Eligible patients receive a partial scholarship toward doula services.
- Typical participant cost: approximately $650
- Full scholarships available for those experiencing financial hardship
- Payment is made directly to Doulas of Duluth by 35 weeks gestation
How this program supports better outcomes
The Plus One Doula Program is designed to:
- Promote birth equity
- Reduce disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes
- Lower rates of low-risk cesarean deliveries
- Improve overall birth experiences for families