Code of Maryland Regulations
Title 10 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Part 2
Subtitle 09 - MEDICAL CARE PROGRAMS
Chapter 10.09.39 - Doula Services
Section 10.09.39.01 - Definitions
Universal Citation: MD Code Reg 10.09.39.01
Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 19, September 20, 2024
A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B. Terms Defined.
(1) "Birthing parent" means the participant
giving birth, who is receiving doula services throughout their pregnancy,
including the prenatal, labor, and postpartum periods.
(2) "Certified doula" means a trained
nonmedical professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and
informational support to the birthing parent throughout the prenatal and
postpartum periods and who has received a certification as approved by the
Program to perform doula services.
(3) "Department" means the Maryland
Department of Health, the single State agency designated to administer the
Maryland Medical Assistance Program under Title XIX of the Social Security Act,
42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.
(4) "Doula services" means continuous
physical, emotional, and informational support to the birthing parent
throughout the prenatal and postpartum periods, provided by a certified doula,
including:
(a) Information about the
childbirth process;
(b) Emotional
and physical support provided at perinatal visits and during labor and
delivery, which may include:
(i) Prenatal
coaching;
(ii) Providing
person-centered care that honors cultural and family traditions; and
(iii) Teaching and advocating on behalf of
the birthing parent during appointment visits, hospitalization, and
delivery;
(c) Provision
of evidence-based information on general health practices pertaining to
pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care, newborn health, and family
dynamics;
(d) Provision of
emotional support, physical comfort measures, and information to the birthing
parent to enable the birthing parent to make informed decisions pertaining to
childbirth and postpartum care, and other issues throughout the perinatal
period;
(e) Provision of support
for the whole birth team, including a birthing parent's partner, family
members, and other support persons;
(f) Provision of evidence-based information
on infant feeding;
(g) Provision of
general breastfeeding guidance and resources;
(h) Provision of infant soothing and coping
skills for the new parents; and
(i)
Facilitation of access to resources that can improve birth-related outcomes,
including ongoing home visiting services, transportation, housing, alcohol,
tobacco and drug cessation, WIC, SNAP, and intimate partner violence
resources.
(5) "Home"
means the birthing parent's place of residence in a community
setting.
(6) "Labor and delivery"
means the period during which the fetus, membranes, umbilical cord, and
placenta are expelled from the uterus through vaginal birth or through the
surgical delivery by a cesarean section.
(7) "Medically necessary" means that the
service or benefit is:
(a) Directly related
to diagnostic, preventive, curative, palliative, rehabilitative, or
ameliorative treatment of an illness, injury, disability, or health
condition;
(b) Consistent with
current accepted standards of good medical practice;
(c) The most cost-efficient service that can
be provided without sacrificing effectiveness or access to care; and
(d) Not primarily for the convenience of the
consumer, family, or provider.
(8) Perinatal period" means the period that
encompasses both the prenatal and postpartum periods.
(9) "Postpartum period" means the period that
begins immediately after childbirth up to 180 days following
childbirth.
(10) "Prenatal period"
means the developmental period between conception and birth.
(11) "Program" means the Maryland Medical
Assistance Program.
(12) "Provider"
means an individual doula or an association, partnership, or incorporated or
unincorporated group of doulas certified to provide doula services that,
through an appropriate agreement with the Department, has been identified as a
Program provider by the issuance of an individual account number.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maryland may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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