South Carolina Birth Doula & Hospital Guide

Not yet, but legislation is advancing. South Carolina Medicaid (Healthy Connections) does not currently cover doula services as a standard benefit. House Bill 3108, introduced in 2025 with bipartisan support, would require both Medicaid and private insurance to cover doula services. The March of Dimes 2025 Report Card notes South Carolina is progressing legislation but not yet reimbursing doula care. Check with your Healthy Connections managed care organization about any available pilot programs and explore community doulas who offer sliding-scale fees.

No. South Carolina does not require doulas to hold a state license or certification. Doulas are not regulated as medical professionals under state law. House Bill 3108, introduced in 2025, would create a doula certification organization and statewide registry, but it had not been enacted as of early 2026. Voluntary certifications from DONA International, CAPPA, and similar organizations are widely recognized and many South Carolina doulas hold these credentials.

South Carolina's maternal mortality rate is approximately 31.5 deaths per 100,000 live births (March of Dimes 2025 Report Card, 2019-2023 data), ranking the state 40th of 48 reporting states. This is well above the national average and the Healthy People 2030 target of 15.7 deaths per 100,000 live births. Black women face maternal mortality rates nearly twice that of white women, and rural mothers face a 62 percent higher mortality rate compared to urban counterparts. Almost 90 percent of these deaths are preventable.

South Carolina has an overall cesarean rate of approximately 33.0 percent (CDC NCHS and KFF, 2023 data), which is slightly above the national average of 32.3 percent. The low-risk cesarean rate is 25.6 percent, ranking South Carolina 24th among states. Rates vary by hospital and region, and significant racial disparities exist, with Black mothers facing a cesarean rate of 36 percent compared to 32 percent for white mothers. Ask about your facility's rate during prenatal visits.

Yes. South Carolina licenses birthing centers through Regulation 60-102 (Standards for Licensing Birthing Centers for Deliveries by Midwives) under the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are licensed through the South Carolina Board of Nursing. However, direct-entry midwifery is not separately licensed in South Carolina, meaning Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) do not have a state regulatory pathway. Home birth packages in South Carolina typically range from $3,500 to $6,000.

South Carolina's preterm birth rate is 11.6 percent (March of Dimes 2025 Report Card, 2024 data), earning the state an F grade and ranking 43rd of 52 reporting jurisdictions. This is unchanged from 2023. The rate is well above the national average of 10.4 percent and the Healthy People 2030 target of 9.4 percent. Significant racial disparities exist, with Black mothers facing a preterm birth rate of 16.0 percent compared to 9.6 percent for white mothers. In 2024, 6,844 babies were born preterm in South Carolina.

Yes. South Carolina extended postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months for eligible mothers. This means new mothers can maintain Medicaid coverage for a full year after giving birth, which supports postpartum recovery, follow-up care, and access to maternal health services during the critical postpartum period. Medicaid pays for approximately 43 percent of all births in South Carolina, making this extension especially important for families across the state.