Local Mother’s Story Highlights LifeSaving Role of Doulas
Rochester, NY – Breonna Orum learned during pregnancy that her daughter, Seviyn, had heterotaxy and a singleventricle heart, leaving her unsure if her baby would survive. Overwhelmed and uncertain of her baby’s future, Breonna turned to certified doula Mercedes Good for support.
“Even though I’m a doula myself, I needed somebody to show up for me when I could not do that for myself,” Orum said. “There were times I just sat there and cried looking at her ultrasound, and I needed someone to remind me it was OK to just be pregnant.”
Good, provided reassurance, attended appointments, and supported Breonna through birth and postpartum recovery. Breonna believes that support helped her safely navigate one of the most difficult periods of her life. And she cites one other factor: Using a doula was covered by her insurance.
“I would not be sitting here with my daughter if it wasn’t for insurance covering the support I needed,” she said.
Learn more about Breonna’s story in this video.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is elevating awareness of the critical role doulas play in improving maternal health outcomes by sharing the powerful story of Orum, a Rochester mother whose highrisk pregnancy underscores the need for greater access to continuous birth support. The health plan covers doula services for Medicaid Managed Care, HARP, and Essential Plan members.
“By reducing fear, supporting informed decisionmaking, and helping labor progress naturally, doulas lower the risk of early births, unnecessary Csections, and complications and improve postpartum outcomes,” said Kathleen Robischon, MD, vice president of medical affairs and clinical services at Excellus BCBS.
Eligible New York State Medicaid members can receive up to eight prenatal and postpartum doula visits, support during childbirth, and doula services for up to 12 months postpartum.
This coverage supports the health plan’s ongoing efforts to improve maternal health equity and outcomes across the plan’s operating region, from Rochester to Plattsburgh to Binghamton.