Author: Annie Hill

A community-focused collaboration supporting doulas and families in Cabot and surrounding towns through ethical, sustainable birth care.

That sentence reflects the heart of my work as a doula and educator in Central Arkansas. It speaks to a belief that birth support, education, and community care work best when they are rooted where people actually live.

Why This Community Matters

Cabot and the surrounding towns are part of a rapidly growing Central Arkansas corridor where families often navigate pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery with limited access to consistent, relationship-based support. This region includes rural, suburban, and military-adjacent families who experience real gaps between clinical care, education, and continuity after birth.

A locally rooted collaboration allows doulas to support families in meaningful ways by building trusted referral networks, offering practical education, and responding to the cultural and logistical realities of this community. Rather than relying on broad, statewide solutions, this approach centers care where it can be most effective and sustainable.

The Stone Ridge Learning Center

The Stone Ridge Learning Center, which will be located in Central Arkansas near Cabot at the northern edge of Pulaski County, is a long-held dream that is now beginning to take real shape. It is envisioned as a place for hands-on learning, shared knowledge, and community resilience.

Stone Ridge is being built as a welcoming learning space where practical skills are taught with care and humanity, and where education feels accessible rather than intimidating.

Planned offerings include:

• Birth education and postpartum support
• Doula training and continuing education
• Midwifery skill development
• Herbalism, home remedies, and body literacy
• Canning, food preservation, and homestead skills
• Gardening, soil health, and seed saving
• Traditional crafts and fiber arts
• Classes taught by local teachers, artisans, and elders
• Learning spaces that thrive even when I am not the one teaching

A Place for Shared Knowledge and Ethical Care

At its heart, the Stone Ridge Learning Center is not about building something around a single person. It is about creating a place where knowledge is shared, where people are supported, and where learning happens without shame, competition, or gatekeeping.

In a world that often feels fragmented and overwhelming, this project represents a quiet but deliberate act of hope. Step by step and piece by piece, something steady and life-giving is being built in Central Arkansas.

If you are someone who loves to teach, share skills, or collaborate in ways that support families and community health, I would love to connect when the time is right.

Sometimes the most meaningful response to a difficult world is to create something that helps people care for themselves and each other.

I am looking forward to what this becomes.

As a doula with more than forty years of experience supporting families across the United States, I have learned that clarity brings comfort. Many people still wonder what a doula does, how we fit into a birth team, and how our role differs from that of a midwife. My goal here is to answer those questions and show how compassionate, informed doula care can make a meaningful difference for every family.

What Is a Doula, in Plain Terms

A doula is a trained, nonmedical professional who offers continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before, during, and after childbirth. I do not diagnose, prescribe, or perform medical procedures. I do provide continuous presence, comfort measures, advocacy coaching, and evidence-based information so families can make informed decisions about their care.

How I Show Up for Families

Emotional Steadying

I keep the energy calm and focused. I help partners find words and tasks that soothe, and I remind families of what feels right for them in the moment.

Physical Comfort and Coaching

I offer massage, position suggestions, counterpressure, and breathing and vocal support. These techniques can reduce pain, shorten labors, and lower the need for some interventions.

Evidence-Based Information and Consent Support

I explain procedures in plain language, help families prepare questions for providers, and support them in giving or withholding consent. My role is not to tell a family what to do. My role is to make sure they understand their options.

Continuity and Preparation

I help families create realistic birth plans, rehearse coping strategies, and plan postpartum needs. Continuity matters. Seeing the same supportive face through pregnancy and birth can improve outcomes and satisfaction.

Postpartum Care and Referral

In the weeks after birth, I help with feeding support, gentle hands-on comfort, and links to community resources. I help normalize the emotional shifts that happen after birth and I help spot when someone may need medical or mental health support.

The Difference Between a Doula and a Midwife

Role and Scope

• Doula: Nonmedical support person who focuses on comfort, information, and advocacy.
• Midwife: Licensed primary care provider for pregnancy and birth, responsible for prenatal exams, clinical decision making, and, when trained and licensed, delivering babies.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Doula: Does not perform exams, prescribe medication, interpret fetal monitors, or perform deliveries.  We do translate
• Midwife: Performs physical assessments, orders tests, manages complications within their scope, and transfers care when necessary.

Legal and Liability Difference

• Doula: Does not perform exams, prescribe medication, interpret fetal monitors, or perform deliveries. When complex or urgent situations arise, my role is to help parents understand what is happening in language that makes sense to them. I bridge communication between the care team and the family, translating medical terminology and context so they can grasp the gravity of the moment and make informed, confident decisions.
• Midwife: Licensed clinician with legal and professional responsibilities that carry clinical liability.

Complementary Relationship

A doula and a midwife can be a powerful team. Doulas provide continuous hands-on support, while midwives handle clinical decisions and medical care. Both roles are valuable and distinct.

Why This Clarity Matters

In a world where rumors and misunderstandings spread quickly, clarity protects families and practitioners. I have chosen, repeatedly and publicly, not to practice midwifery in any unlicensed or compensated way. I will not put myself or my clients at legal or medical risk. My commitment is to safe, evidence-based, compassionate support that respects the boundaries of medical practice.

How Doula Care Changes Outcomes

• Shorter labor
• Reduced need for certain interventions
• Higher satisfaction with the birth experience
• Better breastfeeding outcomes
• Smoother postpartum adjustment for many families

What matters most to me is not a statistic, but the face of a family who felt supported, seen, and empowered. That is the work I want to keep doing.

If You Are Considering Doula Support

If you are thinking about hiring a doula, these questions can help:

• What training and certifications do you have?
• How many births have you attended?
• What is your approach to emergencies or complications?
• How will you work with my chosen medical provider?
• What is included in your fee, and what is your backup plan?

Closing and Invitation

I love this work because it helps people move through threshold moments with more safety and more dignity. If you have questions about how I practice, or about the differences between doulas and midwives, I am always open to honest conversation. My commitment is to clarity, to safety, and to the families I serve.

If you are ready to learn more about how doula care can support your family’s birth or postpartum experience, I invite you to reach out through my book a consultation or schedule a consultation. Every family deserves support that honors both knowledge and intuition.

Arkansas faces a tough reality with its maternal mortality rate, the highest in the U.S. at 43.5 deaths per 100,000 live births from 2018 to 2020, per the Kaiser Family Foundation. Rural areas see it hit even harder, and the Arkansas Maternal Mortality Review Committee notes 92% of these deaths are preventable. A key issue is inadequate support during labor, delivery, and postpartum. With rural hospitals closing OB units, many moms are left navigating early labor or postpartum challenges with little guidance, a gap that’s costing lives.

Doulas are stepping up to fill that space, offering a lifeline where the system falls short – a fact seen by Arkansas State leadership and supported by major education institutions and hospitals like UAMS.

One tool making a big impact is the peanut ball.  Studies show peanut balls can reduce cesarean rates by 50%, a significant factor in Arkansas where the C-section rate is 35.2%, above the national average of 32.2% in 2022, per CDC data. They also shorten labor, making it easier and less stressful for both mother and baby. This reduces worry for fathers too, as the process becomes smoother. 

Beyond birth, Doula support cuts postpartum depression odds by up to 64.7%, vital since 65% of pregnancy-related deaths occur in the first year after delivery. It’s about checking in, asking how’s your recovery going or are you managing with a newborn, questions that matter when many skip that six-week checkup.

Arkansas’ maternal health crisis calls for action. A new state law requires health plans to cover doula services alongside Medicaid, opening doors for more families. Yet, with only 60 days of postpartum Medicaid coverage, short of the year many experts recommend, there’s still work to do. Doulas offer consistent care, advocating for moms through every stage, from early labor to postpartum healing. It’s not just about numbers, it’s about lives. 

The 92% preventable death rate is a wake-up call. At Bright Blessings, we’re part of the solution, sharing decades of experience to make birth safer for Arkansas families.

In my last blog, I covered two other bills from Arkansas regarding coverage by Medicaid for Doulas in Arkansas.  This time I’m covering further big news from Arkansas – the state legislature has moved forward with House Bill 1252, the Certified Community-Based Doula Certification Act. This is a game-changer for doula care in our state, and here’s what it could mean for those of us committed to supporting mothers through their journey into parenthood.

What’s in the Bill?

Certification and Recognition:

• • Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 to become a certified community-based doula.

• • Certification Pathways: You can get certified through organizations designated by the Arkansas Department of Health or through the Doula Alliance of Arkansas. This gives us flexibility but also means we need to keep an eye on which organizations are recognized.

• • Certification Renewal:  Every two years, we’ll need to renew our certification with 10 hours of professional development. This commitment to growth is essential, but we must ensure that training remains accessible and relevant. Continuing education units (CEUs) are vital in any profession, and ours is no exception.

Scope of Practice:

• • The bill outlines what we can do – from childbirth education to advocacy, system navigation, resource connection, and providing continuous support during labor and intermittent support in the prenatal and postpartum phases. It’s comprehensive but leaves room for how these services might be interpreted in practice.

Compensation:

• • Finally, Recognition! The bill ensures that certified doulas will be compensated by both Medicaid and health benefit plans. This is huge for making doula care accessible to more families. However:
    • • The Fine Print: The exact services covered, especially in hospital settings, will be determined by future rules from the Department of Human Services. We need to stay involved to ensure these rules reflect the full spectrum of our work.
        The Doula Alliance of Arkansas is on top of this but it’s our job as Doula’s to be informed autonomously as well in order to provide excellence in care, and for those to be more than just buzzwords.

Registry for Doulas:

• • A public registry will be created, which could help families find certified doulas but it also means we’ll need to be mindful of privacy.

Accountability:

• • Certification can be suspended or revoked for unethical practices or non-compliance. While it’s good to have standards, They’ll want to ensure the process for handling such cases is fair and transparent.

Confidentiality:

• • Our work with families will be kept confidential under this bill, which is crucial for trust. However, we must be vigilant about understanding and adhering to these confidentiality rules to avoid any unintended breaches.

What Could Be Better?

• • Service Coverage: There’s some ambiguity in what services will be reimbursed, particularly in different birth settings. We’ll need to advocate for comprehensive coverage.

• • Professional Development: While it’s beneficial, we need to ensure the required training is accessible to all doulas, regardless of their background or location.

• • Certification Organizations:  Certification bodies must be inclusive and truly reflective of our diverse community. Bias of any kind cannot be tolerated. Our role is to support those who are expecting and to help new families navigate unfamiliar waters—but that commitment must be embraced from the top down. Only then can we create meaningful change in Arkansas, where maternal and neonatal mortality rates remain alarmingly high.

• • Compensation Details: The bill doesn’t specify rates, so we’ll need to push for fair compensation that reflects the value of our work.  We can’t be legislated into spending a lot of money for training and continued education, and then be placed into a position where we can’t afford to cover our own bills…

• • Implementation: With rules still to be set by the end of 2025, there’s a window for us to influence how this bill is put into action.

Next Steps for Doulas

• • Stay Engaged: Keep up with the rule-making process to advocate for comprehensive service coverage.

• • Advocate: Work with organizations like the Doula Alliance of Arkansas to ensure certification is accessible and fair.

• • Educate: Use this as an opportunity for professional growth, but also to educate families on what this means for doula care access.

This bill is a step in the right direction for doula recognition and support in Arkansas. It’s up to us to make sure it translates into real, tangible benefits for both doulas and the families we serve. Let’s keep the conversation going and make sure every mother who needs a doula can have one, supported by the new legislation that Governor Sanders has championed.

The Next Step for this Bill:
This bill has passed through and goes to the House committee for Public Health, Welfare, and Labor on Tuesday February 25.  Here is a list of members who are listed on the agenda for being on committee that day:

Rep. Jeff Wardlaw, Chair: Represents District 94.
Rep. Jeremy Wooldridge, Vice-Chair: Represents District 1.
Rep. Aaron Pilkington: Represents District 42.
Rep. Bart Schulz: Represents District 31.
Rep. Mark Perry: Represents District 66.
Rep. Kendra Moore: Represents District 23.
Rep. Stephen Magie: Represents District 56.
Rep. Lee Johnson: Represents District 47.
Rep. Ryan A. Rose: Represents District 48.
Rep. Jack Ladyman: Represents District 53.
Rep. Cameron Cooper: Represents District 44.
Rep. Zack Gramlich: Represents District 50.
Rep. Mary Bentley: Represents District 54.
Rep. Jay Richardson: Represents District 49.
Rep. Glenn Barnes: Represents District 65.
Rep. Kenneth B. Ferguson: Represents District 13.
Rep. Denise Jones Ennett: Represents District 80.
Rep. Dolly Henley: Represents District 32.
Rep. Fred Allen: Represents District 77.
Rep. Wayne Long: Represents District 39.

What YOU can do as a Doula or a family member who wants this to pass:  Pick up the phone and call your representative’s office if those listed are on it, and even if they aren’t – you can easily say you are a person who believes in this bill and the difference it will make in the lives of families in Arkansas.   HB1252 needs our support and the elected officials need to know what their constituents have to say on it.

As  doula of many years, I’ve got say there’s nothing more rewarding than being there for moms and families from pregnancy, through childbirth, and into those first precious weeks at home. Today, I’m excited to share some updates on how we’re working to make comprehensive doula services, including both prenatal and postpartum care, more accessible through Medicaid in Arkansas.

My Journey as a Doula

Why do I do this? From easing the nerves before labor to helping navigate the new world of parenthood, doulas like me provide a bridge of support that can transform the childbirth experience.  I started as a Doula at age 14, and now 42 years later I’m focusing solely on Doula care, in multiple capacities, as I know personally how beneficial it is to all parties involved.

What Doulas Do For Expecting/New Families

Let’s break it down:

• Prenatal Support: We’re there to educate, answer questions, and prepare you for birth. We help you understand your options, craft a birth plan, and even support physical comfort through pregnancy.
• Birth Support: During labor, we provide emotional support, physical comfort measures like massage, and advocacy to ensure your birth experience aligns with your wishes.
• Postpartum Care: After birth, we don’t just disappear. We help with breastfeeding, newborn care, emotional support, and the adjustment to life with a new baby. This phase is crucial, and we’re there to make sure you’re not alone and that you aren’t dealing with any issues that need to be escalated to a medical professional that you might have not realized were important.  So many women need a higher level of support during their postpartum period, but it goes unnoticed and that can create a waterfall of issues for them down the road.

The National Push for Doula Services

Here’s where we stand across the U.S.:

States with Implemented Medicaid Coverage for Doula Care:
– Florida
– Maryland
– Minnesota
– New Jersey
– Oregon
– Virginia
– Washington, D.C.
– Nevada
– Rhode Island
– Michigan

These states have realized the value of having a doula from pregnancy through postpartum.

In the Process of Implementing:
– California
– Illinois
-Arkansas
– Indiana
– Massachusetts
– Oklahoma

They’re working towards making doula services more accessible, recognizing the comprehensive support we offer.

Arkansas: Our Local Impact

In Arkansas, we’re making strides. The Doula Alliance of Arkansas advocates for Medicaid to cover all aspects of doula care. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders introduced the Healthy Moms Healthy Babies Act, which could mean comprehensive doula services under Medicaid (“Governor Sanders Announces Healthy Moms Healthy Babies Act”).

Local media has been highlighting our efforts, showing how doulas support families from start to finish (“Doula Alliance of Arkansas Advocates for Medicaid Coverage“).

Why This Matters to Our Community

As a doula in Central Arkansas, I see the need for this support every day.
When we talk about Medicaid covering doula services, we’re talking about making sure families get holistic support—from understanding pregnancy to thriving in the postpartum period. It’s about ensuring every family has the best start possible.

Yesterday’s Amazing News
HB 1427 is now in “To Be Enrolled” status.  “To Be Enrolled” indicates that the legislative process is nearly complete, with only the formalities of preparing the bill for the Governor’s desk remaining.  I’ll be watching that closely on behalf of Bright Blessings, and will be reporting further on what this means for families in the entire state, not just in Central Arkansas.

The Path Forward

We’re on an exciting journey, but there’s more to do. If you’re passionate about this, let’s keep the momentum going. Support the Doula Alliance, talk to your local representatives, and spread awareness about the full spectrum of doula care. Every step we take means more families can benefit from the support they need at every stage.

I’m proud to be part of this community, providing comprehensive doula care in Central Arkansas, and I’m excited about the future where every family can access the support they deserve, from pregnancy to post-birth.