Free doula training improves access for bilingual parents in Napa

NAPA (July 31, 2025) – Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center, the only maternity center in Napa County, is one of nine local organizations that recently hosted a free three-day intensive doula training for Spanish speakers June 27-29. Organizers launched the program to respond to a shortage of Spanish-speaking doulas in Napa who accept Medi-Cal patients.  

“From reducing cesarean rates to shortening length of labor, doulas are our partners in the birthing suite,” said Amy Herold, M.D., a practicing OB/GYN and chief administrative officer and chief medical officer at the hospital. “Through this program, we sought to improve access to doula care services, which has been a challenge for members of the Latino community with Medi-Cal.” 

In California, doula services became a covered benefit under Medi-Cal (locally administered by Partnership Health Plan) in 2023 to ensure individuals who cannot pay for a doula out of pocket have access to the benefits of their services, which also included reduced need for pain medication during labor and increased infant bonding.   

Partnership HealthPlan’s Regional Medical Director Colleen Townsend, M.D. is a family physician at Queen of the Valley and also serves on the hospital’s community benefit committee. During a recent survey, she discovered Napa had far fewer native Spanish speaking doulas who accepted Partnership HealthPlan compared to neighboring communities.    

“Our goal was to expand access to doula care to this group of patients,” said Dr. Townsend. “Spanish speaking doulas help remove language barriers and provide additional health care education, enhancing birth outcomes. This training was essential to recruit more culturally congruent Spanish speaking doulas who live in our community and can support one another and new mothers.” 

Becoming a doula can be costly, with training courses ranging from $3,000-$5,000 and additional licensing, insurance and CPR certification costs. Providence was the sole funder of the training and provided a $44,800 grant as part of a commitment to foster health equity.  

Founder and Executive Director of Doula Doula Davon Crawford facilitated the training. She shared with participants that her struggles starting a doula business inspired her to create a program that supports and teaches other doulas how to find their way.    

“This is the first cohort of doulas ever trained in Napa County; the energy in the room surpassed my expectations,” said Crawford. “No matter where you give birth, it’s important to have someone by your side who knows you, your culture, will make you feel at home, and can bridge any communication gaps before, during and after delivery.” 

The training included the cost of CPR training, licensing, insurance and doula training for 13 Napa residents. Hosted by four Bay Area Spanish-speaking doulas, it included: childbirth education, Medi-Cal doula enrollment, adult and child CPR, anatomy of pregnancy, comfort measures, mentorship with direct experience, direct experience, business development tips and lactation support.  
 
“The training not only gave me the skills to support clients during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, but it also helped lay a solid foundation for building my doula business,” said Training Participant Melanie Mendez. “I gained practical tools—from comfort measures to emotional coaching—that empower me to be a calm, grounded presence through every stage of labor and postpartum.” 

Training participant Miranda Escobar stressed that Spanish speaking doulas are important, “for advocacy and education” and shared the training, “offered me a path to understand what is needed of me and what efforts I need to make my business progress.” 

This program was made possible thanks to Queen of the Valley, First 5 Napa County, Napa County Health & Human Services, Cope Family Center, Partnership Health Plan of California, Doula Doula, CommuniCare OLE, and Puertas Abiertas. Queen of the Valley was named by US News and World Report as “High Performing” for maternity care in 2024-2025. 

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About Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center: Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center is a 208-bed, acute care facility founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. The Queen is the largest healthcare facility and one of the largest employers in Napa County. Services provided include a regional heart center; orthopedic center and cancer center approved with commendations by the American College of Surgeons; the Peggy Herman Neuroscience Center, a neurosurgery program affiliated with UCSF; a Women’s Center; maternity and infant care; inpatient and outpatient minimally invasive surgery; and a full-service emergency department and trauma center, amongst many other specialty services. Learn more: www.providence.org/queen.