Maternity Care Workforce

Midwives, ob/gyns, and family physicians are trained to deliver babies in California. In California, a worsening ob/gyn shortage paired with hospital labor and delivery unit closures have generated urgency for expanding access to midwives.

This series of conversations takes a look at the critical roles of doulas, lactation professionals, mental health professionals, and midwives.

Doulas improve birth outcomes and advance health equity, especially for families of color. California covers doula care for Medi-Cal enrollees, but opportunities remain to further expand access to doulas.

Midwives are licensed clinicians who play a key role in the maternity care workforce. These snapshots present survey findings on licensed midwives and nurse-midwives in California.