Long Beach Doula & Midwife Support
Long Beach Doula & Midwife: Costs, Hospitals & Medicaid
True Joy Birthing is a free birth plan app and doula directory for first-time moms in Long Beach. Whether you're looking for a doula or midwife in Long Beach, building your birth plan, or figuring out what support even looks like — everything here is free.
Doulas, midwives, hospital policies, and costs, broken down so you can walk in prepared. This guide covers how much doulas cost, whether Medicaid covers a doula, and which hospitals welcome birth partners. New here? Learn what a doula actually does.
Birth doula support in Long Beach starts at $1200
Free · No account needed · Works on iPhone
At 38 weeks, you're probably figuring out the fastest route from your place near Retro Row or Cambodia Town to your hospital on Atlantic Avenue. thankful that Long Beach is flatter than most of LA. Shoreline Drive and the beach path give you flat, breezy walking when you need to move, and El Dorado Park's shaded trails are a quiet escape near the end of pregnancy.
Free app
Build your birth plan step by step in the app
Nine guided sections. Hospital preferences, pain management, who's in the room — all walked through so nothing gets missed.
- Step-by-step guidance for every section
- Update your plan anytime — not a static PDF
- Share directly with your care team or doula
Coming soon Free · No account needed to start
Free app
What the Free App Offers
9 guided sections
Hospital preferences, pain management options, who's in the room, feeding preferences, postpartum plans — each section walks you through what each choice means so nothing gets missed. Answer a few questions at a time, save your progress, and come back whenever you want. Your plan builds as you go, so it never feels overwhelming.
Find local doulas
Browse and connect with doulas and midwives serving Long Beach right inside the app. See their services, cost ranges, and availability without searching elsewhere. Many Long Beach parents use the app to message providers directly and find someone who fits their schedule and personality.
Printable PDF birth plan
Export your finished plan as a PDF to share with your provider, doula, or hospital. Easy to update anytime — not a static document you fill out once.
Completely free
No account needed, no credit card, no time limit. Works on iPhone. Download it, build your plan, share it — that's it.
Video guide
Long Beach CA Doula & Birth Plan Guide: Costs, Hospitals & Medi-Cal (First-Time Mom)
Watch the full city guide, doulas, hospitals, costs, and more, all in under 4 minutes.
Local support
Doulas & Midwives Serving Long Beach
Real people, real support: here are doulas and midwives who serve Long Beach families. Every listing is a practicing provider, not an ad.
No doulas match your filters.
DOULAS OF LONG BEACH
Birth Doula
DOULAS OF LONG BEACH
$1,200-$2,800
Hands-on guidance through massage, relaxation, breathing and +4 (562) 546-3786 Call Beach, California. Birth Midwife Services in Long Beach, Comprehensive ...
Serves Long Beach, CA
Together in Birth
Birth Doula
Together in Birth
$1,200-$2,800
Birth Doula | Southern California 4647 Long Beach Blvd. Suite B3 Long Beach, CA 90805 11am-5pm. Contact: 562-472-5437
Serves Long Beach, CA
Birthworkers of Color Collective
Birth Doula
Birthworkers of Color Collective
$1,200-$2,800
We provide culturally relevant, accessible, sliding scale full spectrum doula services using the diverse list of doulas from our collective to fit the...
Serves Long Beach, CA
Bianca Turner
Birth Doula
Bianca Turner
$1,200-$2,800
Hello! My name is Bianca and I am a full spectrum (birth, postpartum and loss doula) serving the Los Ángeles county area. I focus on traditional and ...
Serves Long Beach, CA
Find a doula or midwife near you
The True Joy Birthing app lets you search for doulas, midwives, and birth professionals in your area. Filter by certification, services offered, and insurance coverage, so you can find the right support before your due date.
Try the free app →Listed providers are independent practitioners. True Joy Birthing does not endorse any specific provider.
Are you a doula or midwife serving Long Beach?
Get listed on True Joy Birthing and reach expecting families in your area.
Get listed →Hospitals & Birth Centers in Long Beach
Here's what you need to know about the hospitals where Long Beach moms deliver.
2801 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90806
MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center is home to the Cherese Mari Laulhere BirthCare Center at Miller Children's and Women's Hospital, one of only 22 hospitals in California with a regional Level IV NICU, the highest designation available from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The BirthCare Center features private labor, delivery, and recovery suites with state-of-the-art birthing beds, dedicated C-section operating rooms down the hall, and 24/7 in-house anesthesiologists, neonatologists, and maternal-fetal subspecialists. The hospital maintains low cesarean rates, offers a lactation clinic and breastfeeding supply store, hosts a High-Risk Maternal and Newborn Transport Program, and provides prenatal classes, a WIC program, and perinatal bereavement services. Doulas are explicitly recognized as vital care team members by both AWHONN and ACOG guidelines adopted by the hospital. Use our free hospital birth plan template to prepare for your delivery here.
Doulas: Doulas welcome as support persons
1043 Elm Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813
Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center's Family Birth Center provides a full range of maternity services including perinatal care, labor and delivery support, and in-home follow-up visits through their Welcome Baby program. The hospital features a Level IIIB NICU staffed by neonatologists, neonatal nurses, and respiratory therapists who provide 24/7 life-sustaining care for premature and medically fragile babies. UCLA perinatologists work directly with your doctor to manage high-risk pregnancies, and the perinatal clinic offers genetic screening, counseling, ultrasounds, and non-stress testing. St. Mary's spacious birthing suites and private postpartum rooms encourage skin-to-skin bonding and immediate breastfeeding, with lactation support available. The Welcome Baby program offers postpartum hospital visits, screenings, breastfeeding support, and home visits at no cost to families. Use our free hospital birth plan template to prepare for your delivery here.
Doulas: Doulas welcome as support persons
No freestanding birth centers in Long Beach
There are no freestanding birth centers currently operating in Long Beach. Nearby options include the South Bay Birth Center in Redondo Beach or exploring home birth with a licensed midwife.
Hospitals listed for reference only. True Joy Birthing does not endorse any specific provider. Always call ahead to confirm doula and visitor policies during your hospital tour. For more questions, see our doula FAQ or our birth plan checklist.
Reviewed by Shelbi Kohler
How it works
What Doula & Midwife Support Looks Like in Long Beach
Not sure what the difference is?
A midwife is your medical provider: she can deliver your baby, write prescriptions, and monitor your health. A doula is your support person: she keeps you comfortable, informed, and emotionally held, but doesn't do medical tasks. You can have both, and many Long Beach moms do. Learn more about what a doula actually does →
Long Beach has a grounded, community-oriented birth culture shaped by its huge Cambodian and Latino populations. you'll find doulas who understand traditional postpartum practices like 'lying-in' and who show up for mamas in languages beyond English. The birth community here is scrappy, real, and deeply connected to grassroots mutual aid.
Continuous labor support
A doula provides continuous support from early labor through delivery. No shift changes, no handing you off to someone else.
Evidence-based comfort techniques
Breathing, counter-pressure, position changes, proven to reduce C-section rates and shorten labor.
Advocacy before and during birth
Your doula helps you understand your options and practice saying what you want, before you're in the delivery room.
Postpartum follow-up, too
Most Long Beach doula packages include at least one postpartum visit, because birth support doesn't end at delivery.
Whether this is your first baby or you're preparing for a VBAC, understanding what a doula does, and how a doula can change your birth experience, can help you decide what support is right for you. Planning for a specific scenario? Read our VBAC birth plan guide or our C-section birth plan template.
How Much Does a Doula or Midwife Cost in Long Beach?
In the Long Beach area, birth doula packages typically range from $1,200 to $2,800. Midwife fees vary by type and setting — home birth midwives usually charge a global fee of $4,000–$8,000, while hospital-based CNM care is billed through insurance like a doctor's visit. For a complete doula cost breakdown — including what's included and what to ask about — see our full guide. If you're also thinking about support after baby arrives, learn what a postpartum doula does and how one can help.
If that number feels steep, you're not alone, and there are options:
- Medicaid: Good news: your state covers doula services through Medicaid. See the details below.
- HSA/FSA: Many families don't realize that doula services can often be paid for with HSA or FSA funds, since birth support qualifies as a medical expense under most plans. Check with your plan administrator.
- Sliding-scale doulas: Many Long Beach doulas offer payment plans, sliding-scale fees, or reduced packages. Don't be afraid to ask.
- Student doulas: Doulas in training often attend births at reduced rates. It's a great option if budget is tight.
How Much Does a Doula Cost in Long Beach?
In Long Beach, a birth doula typically costs between $1,200 and $2,800. This usually includes two prenatal visits, continuous labor support, and at least one postpartum check-in. Prices vary based on experience, the number of visits included, and whether add-ons like childbirth education or placenta encapsulation are bundled in.
Birth Doula
$1,200–$2,800
Prenatal visits, labor support, and postpartum follow-up.
Postpartum Doula
$25–$45/hr
In-home newborn care, feeding support, and recovery help.
Doula rates in Long Beach typically reflect the local cost of living, with experienced doulas charging more as they build their practice. It's not uncommon for doulas with 10 or more years of experience to charge at the higher end of the range, while newer doulas may charge less as they build their client base. The personal connection matters too. Families who chose a more experienced doula often say the investment was worth it.
In markets like this, we've seen birth doula packages ranging widely, with the biggest variables being experience level and what's included in the package. Some doulas offer sliding scale pricing or payment plans, so it's always worth asking, even if the listed rate feels out of reach. We've heard from doulas who volunteered a payment plan before the family even raised cost as a concern.
We've heard from families who successfully used their HSA or FSA to cover doula services with a Letter of Medical Necessity from their doctor. It can take persistence, especially if office staff push back on the paperwork, but many families get it approved. If a nurse or gatekeeper declines to pass the form along, bring it to your next in-person appointment and discuss it directly with your provider. We've also seen families request in-network exceptions from their insurance for doula care, though results vary widely by insurer and even by which representative you speak to.
For a full breakdown of what is included in a doula package and what to ask about during consultations, see our complete doula cost guide.
By the Numbers
Birth in Long Beach: By the Numbers
Key birth statistics for CA families — because knowing the landscape helps you make informed choices about your birth.
32%
Cesarean Rate
Percentage of births via C-section
10.5
Maternal Mortality Rate
Deaths per 100,000 live births
1.2%
Home Birth Rate
Percentage of births at home
0.6%
Birth Center Birth Rate
Births in freestanding birth centers
Data from CDC NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, 2023.
Does Medicaid or Insurance Cover a Doula or Midwife in CA?
Yes — California covers doula services through Medi-Cal. Since January 2023, you can receive up to ~$1,587 in doula coverage including prenatal, birth, and postpartum visits. Long Beach has a large Medi-Cal population, making this coverage especially impactful.
Medi-Cal is the primary insurer for many Long Beach families, and doula coverage is now available without prior authorization. For private insurance, check with your carrier. many Blue Shield and Health Net plans in the area now include doula benefits.
Not sure what to look for in a doula or midwife? Here's how to choose a doula who fits your birth preferences, your personality, and your budget. For a full breakdown of which states cover doulas and midwives through Medicaid, see our Medicaid doula coverage guide.
What About a Midwife in Long Beach?
California licenses Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) through the Board of Registered Nursing and Licensed Midwives (LMs) through the Medical Board of California. In Long Beach, CNMs practice at MemorialCare and St. Mary Medical Center, while Licensed Midwives serve the home birth community throughout the South Bay and Gateway Cities region. The area has a growing community of midwives of color working to address maternal health disparities in Long Beach's diverse communities.
In California, Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) are licensed by the Board of Registered Nursing and practice in hospital settings, while Licensed Midwives (LMs) are licensed by the Medical Board to attend out-of-hospital births. Long Beach families have access to both pathways, with CNMs at MemorialCare and St. Mary, and Licensed Midwives serving home birth families throughout the South Bay region.
Not sure whether you need a doula, a midwife, or both? Our doula vs. midwife guide breaks it down clearly.
- Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) work in hospitals and birth centers and are covered by Medicaid in all 50 states.
- Midwives vs. OBs: Midwives spend more time with you: longer appointments, more conversation, less rushed. OBs are surgeons trained for complications. Both are valid choices for different situations.
- You can have both: Many Long Beach practices pair midwives and OBs so you get midwifery-style care with a doctor backing you up if needed.
- Birth centers: Long Beach doesn't currently have a freestanding birth center, but midwifery care at local hospitals is still a great option.
Planning ahead
When to Start Looking for a Doula or Midwife in Long Beach
Start looking around 12 to 20 weeks. That gives you time to meet a few doulas, compare approaches, and lock someone in before their calendar fills up — popular Long Beach doulas often book up by the third trimester. Already past 20 weeks? Start now. Most doulas have room in their schedule and would rather work with you late than not at all.
The earlier you connect, the more time your doula has to learn your preferences, understand your hospital's policies, and build trust before labor day. Use the free app to browse doulas serving Long Beach and start reaching out today.
What local moms ask
What Long Beach moms want to know
How much does a doula or midwife cost in Long Beach?
Expect $1,200 to $2,800 for a birth doula. California Medicaid covers doula services.
Can my doula come to the hospital with me?
Most Long Beach hospitals allow doulas. Always confirm your hospital's policy ahead of time.
Does Medicaid cover a doula in Long Beach?
Yes. California Medicaid covers doula services. See the details above.
What does a birth plan actually do?
It helps you think through your preferences before labor, so you can walk in confident instead of overwhelmed. Grab the free template.
Walk Into Your Birth Feeling Prepared: Not Anxious
The #1 thing Long Beach moms tell us they wish they'd had? A clear plan they'd actually thought through, not just a form, but a process that helped them understand their options before the contractions started.
The free Joyful Birth Plan app walks you through every decision: who's in the room, what happens if things shift, what matters most to you, so you walk in confident. Prefer paper? Download the free PDF template instead.
Free · iPhone app or printable PDF · No account needed
Keep Reading
Related Resources for Long Beach Families
Everything you need to know, from what a doula does to whether Medicaid will pay for one. These guides walk you through each topic so you can make decisions with confidence.
What Is a Doula?
What doulas do, how they help, and why families hire one. Covers the three types of doula support so you can decide what fits your birth.
Read more →
Benefits of a Doula
How doula support improves birth outcomes and satisfaction. Backed by research showing fewer C-sections, less pain medication, and shorter labors.
Read more →
How to Choose a Doula
Interview questions, red flags, and what to look for. A step-by-step approach to finding someone you genuinely trust with your birth.
Read more →
Doula Costs
What doulas charge and how to make it affordable. Covers typical ranges, payment plans, and whether your insurance or Medicaid helps cover the cost.
Read more →
Postpartum Doula
Support after birth: feeding, recovery, and adjusting. Learn how a postpartum doula helps with nighttime support, newborn care, and emotional recovery.
Read more →
Joyful Birth Plan Template
Free template to write down your birth preferences. A simple guided format that covers pain management, labor environment, and postpartum wishes.
Read more →
Doula FAQ
Common questions about hiring and working with a doula. Quick, honest answers to what first-time families ask most often.
Read more →
Doula vs. Midwife
The key differences and why you might want both. Breaks down who does what so you know exactly which provider you need for your birth plan.
Read more →
Medicaid Doula Coverage
Which states cover doulas and how to use your benefit. Step-by-step guide to Medicaid doula reimbursement by state.
Read more →Looking at Nearby Cities?
Your Questions About Doulas & Midwives in Long Beach
The things Long Beach moms ask us most, answered honestly.
How much does a doula cost in Long Beach?
In Long Beach, expect to pay $1,200–$2,800 for a birth doula package. The community has some wonderful grassroots doulas who offer sliding-scale rates, and Medi-Cal coverage has made doula support more accessible than ever.
Does California Medicaid cover doula services?
Yes! Medi-Cal covers doula services up to ~$1,587 since 2023. Many Long Beach doulas now accept Medi-Cal. contact your plan or ask any doula you're considering.
What hospitals in Long Beach have the highest level NICU?
MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center has a Level IV NICU, the highest designation available, making it one of only 22 hospitals in California with this capability. St. Mary Medical Center has a Level IIIB NICU, which also provides advanced care for premature and medically fragile babies.
Are there birth centers in Long Beach?
There are no freestanding birth centers in Long Beach currently. The South Bay Birth Center in Redondo Beach (about 20 minutes away) or a home birth with a licensed midwife are your closest out-of-hospital options.
Can I bring my doula to hospitals in Long Beach?
Yes. both MemorialCare Long Beach and St. Mary allow doulas as support persons. Call your hospital's maternity department before your due date to confirm their current visitor policy.
What postpartum resources are available in Long Beach?
Long Beach offers the Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program through community clinics, lactation support at MemorialCare, the Cambodian Advocacy Collaborative for culturally rooted postpartum care, and the Black Infant Health Program through the City of Long Beach Health Department.
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