Oregon Birth Doula & Hospital Guide
Birth support resources for 2 cities across Oregon. Doula costs range from $1,000 to $4,500, and we've got the Medicaid details, hospital info, and local doula listings for each one. Pick your city below to dive in.
$1,000–$4,500
Doula cost range in Oregon
Yes
Medicaid covers doulas
2
Cities covered
9
Hospitals listed
Does Medicaid Cover a Doula in Oregon?
Yes. Oregon was one of the first states in the nation to implement Medicaid doula coverage. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) covers birth doula services through the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) as a covered benefit for members whose benefit package includes labor and delivery. Doula services are administered through OHA's Traditional Health Worker (THW) program, and doulas must be state-certified as Traditional Health Workers to serve OHP members and receive reimbursement. The benefit includes a global doula payment of approximately $1,505 per pregnancy, which covers two prenatal support visits, continuous labor and delivery support, and two postpartum support visits. Partial services can be billed individually when a doula provides some but not all components of the global benefit. Doulas enroll with OHA as providers under provider type 13, specialty code 600, and must complete form OHP 3113. Oregon's coordinated care organizations (CCOs), such as CareOregon, Trillium Community Health Plan, and Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization, administer the benefit for their enrolled members. Oregon also provides 12 months of continuous postpartum OHP coverage, meaning eligible new mothers maintain full Medicaid benefits for an entire year after giving birth. Families should ask their doula whether they are state-certified as a Traditional Health Worker and enrolled as an OHP provider.
For the full breakdown of which states cover doulas and how to get coverage, see our Medicaid doula coverage guide.
Oregon law requires insurance coverage for licensed midwifery services, including birth center and home births. Most major carriers in the Eugene market cover CNM-attended hospital and birth center deliveries; verify your plan's coverage for out-of-hospital birth and doula services.
Doula Licensing & Regulations in Oregon
Oregon has one of the most comprehensive state doula certification systems in the country. To become an Oregon state certified birth doula through the OHA Traditional Health Worker program, applicants must complete eleven requirements: a minimum of 28 contact hours of in-person education from an OHA-approved training program, six contact hours of cultural competency training, one hour of interprofessional collaboration training, one hour of HIPAA compliance training, four hours of trauma-informed care training, current CPR certification for children and infants and adults, a 1.5 hour OHA-approved oral health training, a community resource list for the geographical areas served, documented attendance at a minimum of three births, documented attendance at a minimum of three postpartum visits, and a background check. Midwifery education, nursing training, or online-only doula courses are not accepted as substitutes for the in-person training requirement. Oregon offers reciprocity for birth doulas certified in Alaska and Idaho. Doulas are not regulated as medical professionals; they provide non-clinical support. National certifying organizations such as DONA International and CAPPA are widely recognized, but state certification through the OHA THW program is the pathway to serving OHP members. Oregon licenses Licensed Direct-Entry Midwives (LDMs) through the Board of Direct Entry Midwifery under ORS 687.405. LDMs must hold a high school diploma or equivalent, maintain CPR and NRP certification, and complete an approved midwifery education program or meet experience-based requirements. Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) are included in Oregon's licensure framework. Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are licensed through the Oregon State Board of Nursing. Freestanding birth centers are licensed and regulated by the state.
Birth in Oregon
Oregon Birth Statistics: By the Numbers
29%
Cesarean section rate
16.6
Maternal deaths per 100k live births
2.7%
Home birth rate
1.5%
Birth center birth rate
Source: CDC NCHS, National Vital Statistics System; March of Dimes 2025 Report Card; KFF State Health Facts (2023 data)
Common Questions
Oregon Doula FAQ
Does Oregon Medicaid (OHP) cover doula services?
Yes. Oregon was one of the first states to cover doula services through the Oregon Health Plan. OHP covers birth doula services for members whose benefit package includes labor and delivery. The benefit includes approximately $1,505 per pregnancy covering two prenatal visits, labor and delivery support, and two postpartum visits. Doulas must be state-certified as Traditional Health Workers and enrolled as OHP providers. Ask your doula whether they are certified and enrolled.
How do I become a certified birth doula in Oregon?
Oregon has a comprehensive state certification process through the OHA Traditional Health Worker program. Applicants must complete eleven requirements including 28 hours of in-person education from an OHA-approved training program, cultural competency training, HIPAA training, trauma-informed care training, CPR certification, oral health training, a community resource list, and documented attendance at three births and three postpartum visits. Online-only courses are not accepted as substitutes for in-person training.
What is the cesarean rate in Oregon?
Oregon has an overall cesarean rate of approximately 29.0 percent (CDC NCHS, 2023 data), which is below the national average. The low-risk cesarean rate is approximately 24.0 percent, also lower than the national average. Oregon ranks among the better states for avoiding unnecessary cesarean sections. Rates vary by hospital, so ask about your facility's rate during prenatal visits.
Are birth centers and home birth midwives licensed in Oregon?
Yes. Oregon licenses Licensed Direct-Entry Midwives (LDMs) through the Board of Direct Entry Midwifery under ORS 687.405. LDMs must meet education, CPR, and NRP requirements. Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) are included in Oregon's licensure framework. Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are licensed through the Oregon State Board of Nursing. Freestanding birth centers are licensed and regulated by the state. Oregon has one of the highest home birth rates in the country.
Did Oregon extend postpartum Medicaid coverage?
Yes. Oregon provides 12 months of continuous postpartum OHP coverage, meaning eligible new mothers maintain full Medicaid benefits including physical, dental, vision, and mental health care for an entire year after giving birth. This extension supports postpartum recovery, follow-up care, and access to doula services during the extended postpartum period.
What is the home birth rate in Oregon?
Oregon has one of the highest home birth rates in the United States at approximately 2.7 percent of births (CDC, 2023 data), ranking among the top states for out-of-hospital birth. The state also has a strong birth center network, with approximately 1.5 percent of births occurring in freestanding birth centers. Oregon's robust midwifery licensing framework supports these community birth options.
Cities in Oregon
Find Your City in Oregon
Select your city to see local doula costs, Medicaid details, hospital info, and birth center options.
Prepare for Your Birth in Oregon
No matter which Oregon city you're in, the free Joyful Birth Plan walks you through every decision: who's in the room, pain management preferences, and what matters most to you.
Related Resources
Free downloadable birth plan for any hospital
What doulas do, how they help, and whether you need one
How doulas improve birth outcomes and reduce anxiety
What doulas cost, what's included, and how to pay
Which states cover doulas and how to get coverage
How to plan for a hospital birth and advocate for your preferences