Pennsylvania Doula Commission

10/16/2026

Seeking more resources to help you with providing postpartum services as a doula provider in PA?

Check out our toolkit: padoulacommission.org

Expanding equitable doula access and improving maternal and infant health outcomes across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

10/15/2026

During seasonal and postpartum depression, doulas can act as a clinical buffer in several targeted ways for clients:

1. Combating Social Isolation
2. Circadian & Sleep Protection
3. Environmental & Light Therapy Optimization

10/14/2026

a major peer-reviewed narrative review published in The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing systematically evaluated the physical and mental outcomes of doula care?

The data explicitly confirmed that women receiving doula support had significantly lower odds of developing PPD and postpartum anxiety.

Learn more:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41770830/

Doulas show promise for PPD prevention. Barriers exist for marginalized and underresourced populations of patients in accessing doula care, yet these are the populations who report maternal mental health disorders disproportionately compared with nonmarginalized women. We recommend focusing on the p...

10/13/2026

10/09/2026

🌿 Attention PA Doulas: Is your Certified Perinatal Doula (CPD) credential expiring soon?

If you want to continue serving as a doula provider under Pennsylvania Medical Assistance (Medicaid), keeping your Certified Perinatal Doula (CPD) credential active is an important part of staying eligible. Pennsylvania DHS requires doulas providing MA-covered services to be certified as a perinatal doula by the Pennsylvania Certification Board.

♻️ How to RECERTIFY your CPD credential

1️⃣ Check your expiration date

Your CPD credential is generally valid for 3 years. PCB recommends checking your expiration date and preparing ahead of time. (Pennsylvania Certification Board)

2️⃣ Complete your continuing education

For CPD recertification, PCB currently requires:

✅ 15 hours of education/training relevant to doula practice

💰 $75 recertification fee (Pennsylvania Certification Board)

PCB allows qualifying workshops, trainings, seminars, conferences, college courses, and online education. Keep your documentation—PCB conducts random education audits. (Pennsylvania Certification Board)

3️⃣ Apply for recertification

You can complete the PCB online recertification application or download the paper application. Online recertification requires an approved PCB account.

📅 You can recertify as early as 3 months before your expiration date.

4️⃣ Don’t wait until after expiration

Under PCB’s current rules, if your credential expires on or after January 1, 2026, it shows as expired and you have up to 6 months after the expiration date to use the recertification process. An additional $75 fee applies during that period. After 6 months, you must contact PCB about reapplying. (Pennsylvania Certification Board)

🩺 IMPORTANT: CPD recertification ≠ Medicaid revalidation

If you’re already enrolled as a Pennsylvania Medical Assistance provider, you also need to keep your PROMISe™ provider enrollment current.

DHS requires MA providers to revalidate each service location every 5 years and recommends submitting the revalidation application at least 60 days before the due date. You can check your revalidation date through the PROMISe Provider Portal. (Pennsylvania Governor’s Office)

So, think of it as two separate renewals to track:

🌿 CPD credential: Every 3 years → Pennsylvania Certification Board

🏥 MA provider enrollment: Every 5 years → PA DHS/PROMISe

Keeping both current can help you remain positioned to provide covered doula services to Pennsylvania Medical Assistance beneficiaries.

🔗 Official resources:

Pennsylvania Certification Board — CPD & recertification: PA Certification Board

PA DHS — Provider Enrollment & Revalidation: PA DHS Provider Enrollment

PA DHS — Doula Medical Assistance Bulletin: PA DHS Doula Services Bulletin

📌 Save this post and share it with a Pennsylvania doula who needs to renew!

10/08/2026

💜 Doulas are more than birth-day support. They are an important part of a healthier, more supported pregnancy and birth via continuous support which research shows make a meaningful difference for women and babies.

Research has shown that associated doula support results in lower rates of preterm birth, cesarean birth, and postpartum depression. Doulas can also provide something that can be difficult to find in a busy healthcare system: time, continuity, individualized support, and someone who truly gets to know you.

Insurers are recognizing the value doulas bring: UnitedHealthcare has begun adding doula benefits to employer-sponsored plans nationwide, while at least 26 states have adopted Medicaid requirements for doula coverage over the past 13 years.

But coverage doesn’t automatically mean access.

Families can still face barriers including cost, availability, and reimbursement requirements. And doulas remain complementary to—not a replacement for—doctors, midwives, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

✨ Every pregnant person deserves access to a team that supports the whole person—not just the pregnancy.

*Doulas listen.
*Doulas educate.
*Doulas provide continuous support.
*Doulas help families navigate an often overwhelming healthcare system.

And doulas help ensure that people feel heard and supported during one of the biggest transitions of their lives.

It’s time to make doula support accessible to the families who want and need it.

Learn more: “Doulas can improve health outcomes for women and babies. Insurers are taking notice.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/womens-health/doulas-can-improve-health-outcomes-women-babies-insurers-are-taking-no-rcna263390?utm_source=chatgpt.com

While more Medicaid patients and even some on private plans have gained doula coverage in recent years, United is the first major insurer to begin rolling out the benefit nationwide.

10/07/2026

Seasonal changes can affect pregnancy: weather conditions, temperature changes, and shifts in daylight can influence comfort, energy, sleep, mood, and daily routines.

Doulas offer personalized, non-clinical support to help you adjust throughout the year.

Here are 3 ways doulas help:

🌦️ 1. Support comfort and daily routines.

☀️ 2. Help you prepare for daylight and sleep changes.

💜 3. Provide steady emotional support and connection.

Doulas don’t diagnose or replace medical care—but they can help you feel informed, supported, and prepared as your body and environment change.

✨ Pregnancy looks different in every season. Your support should be there for all of them.

10/06/2026

AI offers useful info but pregnant mothers require more.

Doulas give real recognition:
1. They provide human connection.
2. They offer personalized, continuous support.
3. They complement services of other healthcare providers.

10/05/2026

October is . 💜

Pregnancy and the postpartum period should be a time of safety, support, and care. For some, however, pregnancy can be a time when abuse begins or escalates.

Doulas can be part of a supportive circle for someone experiencing domestic violence. Through compassionate, nonjudgmental care, doulas can listen, recognize potential warning signs, help create space for a person to share what they’re experiencing, and connect them with appropriate resources when needed.

10/02/2026

Are you a family looking for a credentialed doula in PA's medical assistance program located near you?

Find one today here: https://www.pacertboard.org/credential-search?first_name=&last_name=&field_note_value=&type=cpd