Denver Doula & Midwife Support
Denver Doula & Midwife: Costs, Hospitals & Medicaid
True Joy Birthing is a free birth plan app and doula directory for first-time moms in Denver. Whether you're looking for a doula or midwife in Denver, building your birth plan, or figuring out what support even looks like — everything here is free.
Doulas, midwives, hospital policies, and costs, broken down so you can walk in prepared. This guide covers how much doulas cost, whether Medicaid covers a doula, and which hospitals welcome birth partners. New here? Learn what a doula actually does.
Free · No account needed · Works on iPhone
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital is on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, about 20 minutes east of downtown via I-70 or Colfax Avenue, and during afternoon rush, I-70 between downtown and the medical campus backs up hard, so Hampden Avenue or MLK Boulevard can be faster. Saint Joseph Hospital is on Lafayette Street just east of downtown, about 5 minutes from City Park. Presbyterian/St. Luke's is at 20th and High Street in the City Park South neighborhood, adjacent to Saint Joe's within the CarePoint Health system. Washington Park's 2.5-mile outer loop and Cheesman Park's paved paths are where Denver moms walk in the third trimester, both are flat, shaded, and close to the major hospitals.
Free app
Build your birth plan step by step in the app
Nine guided sections. Hospital preferences, pain management, who's in the room — all walked through so nothing gets missed.
- Step-by-step guidance for every section
- Update your plan anytime — not a static PDF
- Share directly with your care team or doula
Coming soon Free · No account needed to start
Free app
What the Free App Offers
9 guided sections
Hospital preferences, pain management options, who's in the room, feeding preferences, postpartum plans — each section walks you through what each choice means so nothing gets missed. Answer a few questions at a time, save your progress, and come back whenever you want. Your plan builds as you go, so it never feels overwhelming.
Find local doulas
Browse and connect with doulas and midwives serving Denver right inside the app. See their services, cost ranges, and availability without searching elsewhere. Many Denver parents use the app to message providers directly and find someone who fits their schedule and personality.
Printable PDF birth plan
Export your finished plan as a PDF to share with your provider, doula, or hospital. Easy to update anytime — not a static document you fill out once.
Completely free
No account needed, no credit card, no time limit. Works on iPhone. Download it, build your plan, share it — that's it.
Video guide
Denver Doula & Birth Plan Guide
Watch the full city guide — doulas, hospitals, costs, and Colorado Medicaid, all in under 4 minutes.
Local support
Doulas & Midwives Serving Denver
Real people, real support: here are doulas and midwives who serve Denver families. Every listing is a practicing provider, not an ad.
Sonja Spitzer
CAPPA Certified Postpartum Doula, CPD
Embrace Birth Services
$1,200–$1,900
Birth and postpartum doula serving the Denver Metro area. Former family law attorney turned doula — CAPPA certified postpartum doula and Allo Doula Academy certified professional doula.
Serves Denver, Golden, Lakewood, Sunnyside
Krystal
Birth Doula, RN
Doulas of Denver
~$1,000
Denver doula agency pairing families with pre-screened, certified, insured doulas. Founded by an RN — matches you with the right doula for your birth.
Serves Denver, Aurora, Arvada, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Littleton, Thornton, Westminster
Melissa Sexton & Samantha Venn
Certified and Registered Midwives (RM, CPM)
Meadowsweet Midwifery
$6,500 (global fee)
Home birth midwifery practice serving Denver since 2010. Melissa has attended births since 2003; Samantha is a CPM and child passenger safety technician. Offering prenatal, birth, and postpartum care with a focus on empowering, enriching birth experiences.
Serves Denver, Lakewood, Arvada, Englewood
Sena Johnson
Registered Midwife (RM)
Birth Choice Association
Contact for consultation
Denver's senior homebirth midwife with 38 years of experience and 1,100+ births attended. Offers holistic midwifery care including Craniosacral Therapy, Reiki, and herbal support. Inclusive and affirming care for all families.
Serves Denver, Lakewood, Arvada
Find a doula or midwife near you
The True Joy Birthing app lets you search for doulas, midwives, and birth professionals in your area. Filter by certification, services offered, and insurance coverage, so you can find the right support before your due date.
Try the free app →Listed providers are independent practitioners. True Joy Birthing does not endorse any specific provider.
Hospitals & Birth Centers in Denver
Here's what you need to know about the hospitals where Denver moms deliver.
12605 E 16th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, is the region's academic medical center and the highest-level NICU provider in the state, with a Level III NICU (verified on uchealth.org). It's where high-risk pregnancies from across Colorado are referred, with maternal-fetal medicine specialists and the full range of neonatal subspecialties. CNM-attended births are available through the University of Colorado Nurse-Midwives practice, and the hospital accepts Health First Colorado (Medicaid). If you're delivering at UCHealth, having your birth plan ready helps you navigate a busy academic hospital that serves families from a huge catchment area. Use our free hospital birth plan template to get started.
VBAC: Allows TOLAC/VBAC, dedicated VBAC program with midwives
Doulas: Doulas welcome as support persons, integrated into care team
Water birth: Labor tubs available for hydrotherapy; water birth not routinely offered per hospital protocol
1375 E 19th Ave, Denver, CO 80218
Saint Joseph Hospital, on Lafayette Street just east of downtown Denver, is one of the city's oldest hospitals and a high-volume birthing center with a Level III NICU. Saint Joe's is known for its strong midwifery program and has long been a favorite among Denver doulas for its relatively supportive approach to birth plans and continuous labor support. CNM-attended births are available, and the hospital accepts Health First Colorado (Medicaid) with IBCLCs on staff. If we're being real, Saint Joe's location in central Denver makes it the most accessible hospital for families in Capitol Hill, City Park, and the central neighborhoods.
VBAC: Allows TOLAC/VBAC
Doulas: Doulas welcome as support persons
Water birth: Hydrotherapy tubs available for labor; water birth varies by provider
2001 N High St, Denver, CO 80205
Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center (P/SL), at 20th and High Street in the City Park South neighborhood, is one of Denver's highest-volume birth centers with a Level III NICU and private L&D suites. IBCLCs are on staff, and the hospital accepts Health First Colorado (Medicaid). P/SL and Saint Joe's share a campus area near City Park, which means some OB practices deliver at both, so confirm which hospital your provider uses. Having your birth plan in hand makes check-in smoother. use our free template.
VBAC: Allows TOLAC/VBAC with physician approval
Doulas: Doulas welcome as support persons
Hospitals listed for reference only. True Joy Birthing does not endorse any specific provider. Always call ahead to confirm doula and visitor policies during your hospital tour. For more questions, see our doula FAQ or our birth plan checklist.
Reviewed by Shelbi Kohler
How it works
What Doula & Midwife Support Looks Like in Denver
Not sure what the difference is?
A midwife is your medical provider: she can deliver your baby, write prescriptions, and monitor your health. A doula is your support person: she keeps you comfortable, informed, and emotionally held, but doesn't do medical tasks. You can have both, and many Denver moms do. Learn more about what a doula actually does →
Denver is Colorado's largest birth market and one of the most doula-friendly cities in the Mountain West, the state's Medicaid doula coverage (since January 2024 via HB 23-1027) has accelerated adoption, and the local birth community is organized around a strong network of doulas and birth centers. UCHealth and HealthOne (HCA Healthcare) split the hospital market, and families who know which system their OB delivers at have a real advantage in navigating Denver's sprawl.
Continuous labor support
A doula stays with you from early labor through delivery. No shift changes, no leaving the room.
Evidence-based comfort techniques
Breathing, counter-pressure, position changes, proven to reduce C-section rates and shorten labor.
Advocacy before and during birth
Your doula helps you understand your options and practice saying what you want, before you're in the delivery room.
Postpartum follow-up, too
Most Denver doula packages include at least one postpartum visit, because birth support doesn't end at delivery.
Whether this is your first baby or you're preparing for a VBAC, understanding what a doula does, and how a doula can change your birth experience, can help you decide what support is right for you. Planning for a specific scenario? Read our VBAC birth plan guide or our C-section birth plan template.
How Much Does a Doula or Midwife Cost in Denver?
In the Denver area, birth doula packages typically range from $1,000 to $3,000. Midwife fees vary by type and setting — home birth midwives usually charge a global fee of $4,000–$8,000, while hospital-based CNM care is billed through insurance like a doctor's visit. See our full doula cost breakdown for what's included and what to ask about. If you're also thinking about support after baby arrives, learn what a postpartum doula does and how one can help.
If that number feels steep, you're not alone, and there are options:
- Medicaid: Good news: your state covers doula services through Medicaid. See the details below.
- HSA/FSA: Many families don't realize that doula services can often be paid for with HSA or FSA funds, since birth support qualifies as a medical expense under most plans. Check with your plan administrator.
- Sliding-scale doulas: Many Denver doulas offer payment plans, sliding-scale fees, or reduced packages. Don't be afraid to ask.
- Student doulas: Doulas in training often attend births at reduced rates. It's a great option if budget is tight.
Does Medicaid or Insurance Cover a Doula or Midwife in CO?
Yes — Colorado Medicaid now covers doula services as of January 2024 under HB 23-1027, including Health First Colorado (the state's Medicaid program) managed care plans in Denver County. The reimbursement rate is $750 per birth for a full-spectrum doula package (prenatal, labor, and postpartum visits). Contact Health First Colorado at 1-800-221-3943 or visit healthfirstcolorado.com to confirm your plan's doula coverage and find participating doulas.
Colorado's Medicaid doula coverage (HB 23-1027, effective January 2024) is among the most progressive in the country, with $750 per birth for full-spectrum doula services under Health First Colorado. For families with private insurance, Denver's employer market (DaVita, Liberty Global, Arrow Electronics, Quest Communications) increasingly includes maternal wellness benefits. Check your plan for doula coverage, and HSA/FSA funds can supplement out-of-pocket costs.
Not sure what to look for in a doula or midwife? Here's how to choose a doula who fits your birth preferences, your personality, and your budget. For a full breakdown of which states cover doulas and midwives through Medicaid, see our Medicaid doula coverage guide.
What About a Midwife in Denver?
Colorado licenses Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) and Registered Midwives (RMs), making home birth midwifery legally regulated in the state. That means if you're planning a home birth or birth center birth in {city}, your midwife operates under a state-issued license, not in a legal gray area. On the hospital side, Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) practice in all major Denver hospitals, including UCHealth, Saint Joe's, and P/SL, so hospital-based midwifery care is widely available for {city} families.
In Colorado, Registered Midwives (RMs) are specifically licensed by the state to attend out-of-hospital births, giving
Not sure whether you need a doula, a midwife, or both? Our doula vs. midwife guide breaks it down clearly.
- Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) work in hospitals and birth centers and are covered by Medicaid in all 50 states.
- Midwives vs. OBs: Midwives spend more time with you: longer appointments, more conversation, less rushed. OBs are surgeons trained for complications. Both are valid choices for different situations.
- You can have both: Many Denver practices pair midwives and OBs so you get midwifery-style care with a doctor backing you up if needed.
- Birth centers: Denver doesn't currently have a freestanding birth center, but midwifery care at local hospitals is still a great option.
Planning ahead
When to Start Looking for a Doula or Midwife in Denver
Start looking around 12 to 20 weeks. That gives you time to meet a few doulas, compare approaches, and lock someone in before their calendar fills up — popular Denver doulas often book up by the third trimester. Already past 20 weeks? Start now. Most doulas have room in their schedule and would rather work with you late than not at all.
The earlier you connect, the more time your doula has to learn your preferences, understand your hospital's policies, and build trust before labor day. Use the free app to browse doulas serving Denver and start reaching out today.
What local moms ask
What Denver moms want to know
How much does a doula or midwife cost in Denver?
Expect $1,000 to $3,000 for a birth doula. Colorado Medicaid covers doula services.
Can my doula come to the hospital with me?
Most Denver hospitals allow doulas. Always confirm your hospital's policy ahead of time.
Does Medicaid cover a doula in Denver?
Yes. Colorado Medicaid covers doula services. See the details above.
What does a birth plan actually do?
It helps you think through your preferences before labor, so you can walk in confident instead of overwhelmed. Grab the free template.
Walk Into Your Birth Feeling Prepared: Not Anxious
The #1 thing Denver moms tell us they wish they'd had? A clear plan they'd actually thought through, not just a form, but a process that helped them understand their options before the contractions started.
The free Joyful Birth Plan app walks you through every decision: who's in the room, what happens if things shift, what matters most to you, so you walk in confident. Prefer paper? Download the free PDF template instead.
Free · iPhone app or printable PDF · No account needed
Keep Reading
Related Resources for Denver Families
Everything you need to know, from what a doula does to whether Medicaid will pay for one. These guides walk you through each topic so you can make decisions with confidence.
What Is a Doula?
What doulas do, how they help, and why families hire one. Covers the three types of doula support so you can decide what fits your birth.
Read more →
Benefits of a Doula
How doula support improves birth outcomes and satisfaction. Backed by research showing fewer C-sections, less pain medication, and shorter labors.
Read more →
How to Choose a Doula
Interview questions, red flags, and what to look for. A step-by-step approach to finding someone you genuinely trust with your birth.
Read more →
Doula Costs
What doulas charge and how to make it affordable. Covers typical ranges, payment plans, and whether your insurance or Medicaid helps cover the cost.
Read more →
Postpartum Doula
Support after birth: feeding, recovery, and adjusting. Learn how a postpartum doula helps with nighttime support, newborn care, and emotional recovery.
Read more →
Joyful Birth Plan Template
Free template to write down your birth preferences. A simple guided format that covers pain management, labor environment, and postpartum wishes.
Read more →
Doula FAQ
Common questions about hiring and working with a doula. Quick, honest answers to what first-time families ask most often.
Read more →
Doula vs. Midwife
The key differences and why you might want both. Breaks down who does what so you know exactly which provider you need for your birth plan.
Read more →
Medicaid Doula Coverage
Which states cover doulas and how to use your benefit. Step-by-step guide to Medicaid doula reimbursement by state.
Read more →Looking at Nearby Cities?
Your Questions About Doulas & Midwives in Denver
The things Denver moms ask us most, answered honestly.
How much does a doula cost in Denver?
Expect $1,000 to $3,000 for a doula in Denver. Unlike Colorado Springs where military discounts are common, Denver's doula market is shaped by the city's size — you'll find more specialized doulas (postpartum-only, overnight care, lactation-focused) than in smaller CO cities. Can't swing the full price? Ask about sliding-scale options. Most doulas cover prenatal visits, labor support, and postpartum check-ins. Grab the free birth plan template and start thinking about what matters most to you.
Does Medicaid cover doulas in Denver?
Yes! Great news, Medicaid covers doula services in Denver. This is thanks to HB 23-1027. Here's your next step: call your Medicaid plan and ask "Do you cover doula services?" , they'll walk you through it, or call 1-800-221-3943 directly. You can also check online at healthfirstcolorado.com. You deserve support, and now your insurance helps pay for it.
Which Denver hospitals accommodate birth plans?
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (Level III NICU, verified), Saint Joseph Hospital (Level III NICU, contact for verification), and Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center all offer labor and delivery. While there are currently no freestanding birth centers in the Denver metro area, doula support and midwifery care are widely available. Always confirm your hospital's current visitor and support-person policies during your tour. Grab the free birth plan template so you walk in knowing exactly what you want.
Does True Joy Birthing work with Denver families?
Yes, and it's free. True Joy Birthing's birth plan app, checklist, and guided walkthrough work for any Denver birth setting, whether you're delivering at a hospital, a birth center, or at home. The app also helps you find and connect with local doulas and midwives. Download the free birth plan template and start preparing your way, no signup required.
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Download PDF directlyExplore Birth Support in Other Cities
More cities with doula costs, hospital info, and Medicaid coverage.
Browse all cities in Colorado or explore other states: Arizona · California · Florida