Missouri works to expand maternal healthcare

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - For new moms, taking care of their newborn is normally all they can think about. But over the past year, some moms in Missouri have had more options for support without worrying about the cost.

Hospitals and major procedures can be overwhelming for anyone, especially expecting parents.

For the past year, Missouri has been trying to widen the safety net for moms, including doula care.

What doulas do

Doulas don’t deliver the baby, but they can be the person who helps you understand what’s happening, translates the medical jargon, and stays in your corner before, during, and after birth.

In Missouri, moms who qualify through Medicaid can receive up to 6 visits with a doula for education, support, and help during those first days and weeks at home.

For Cheyann Hopkins, having that covered meant she had more help going into her second pregnancy.

“If I would have been without, I would have been drowning,” Hopkins said.

Local hospitals say they’re noticing more patients choosing to have a doula.

New mom Ila Richardson said that extra support can matter, especially when things don’t go according to plan.

“It was a 36-hour labor. And actually, I went preeclamptic. So, I was going through acute kidney failure as well,” Richardson said.

Brittany Shaar, director of women’s services at Mercy Springfield, said adding support like this can also help spot problems earlier and get moms the right help faster.

“We are constantly looking at best practices, evidence-based care. So, we have many protocols and policies in place that ensure that we recognize if something is not going according to plan,” Shaar said.

The need is urgent. Nationally, the March of Dimes gives the U.S. a D+ for preterm birth, with a preterm birth rate of 10.4%.

Expansion bill pending

House Bill 2372 is on Gov. Mike Kehoe’s desk. Supporters say it would expand coverage to include more preventive care for moms, including postpartum care, which can be one of the most critical times.

“They’re not just here for the birth; they’re here for the part after, which can be a lot more scary than birth itself, having a little one at home,” Hopkins said.

For families, it’s about peace of mind when everything feels uncertain.

The Missouri Department of Social Services has more information about the doula program and pregnancy support here.

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