Doulas, Medi-Cal & Black Maternal Health: What You Need to Know

The Mama's Den

Black Love Inc.

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4.9 • 661 Ratings

🗓️ 13 April 2026

⏱️ 48 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Black mamas deserve support — not just during birth, but before, during, and long after. It's Black Maternal Health Week and, in this powerful episode of The Mama’s Den, we’re joined by doula leaders Khefri Riley and Dr. Sayida Peprah-Wilson to talk about what it really means to be supported in your birth journey — emotionally, physically, and mentally. From breaking down what doulas actually do to unpacking the realities of giving birth on Medi-Cal, this conversation is both eye-opening and empowering. Because here’s the truth: a beautiful, supported birth experience should not be a luxury — and in California, it doesn’t have to be. We talk about: • What doulas do and why they matter for better birth outcomes • Why culturally aligned care is essential, not optional • Postpartum support, mental health, and why care doesn’t stop after birth • The Medi-Cal doula benefit — and how it’s changing access for Black families • The Medi-Cal Doula Hub and how to find support in your community • How advocacy and community are transforming maternal health in California As Khefri shares, “You can be autonomous in your experience… and you don’t have to think you can’t have that because you don’t have money.” Whether you’re expecting, supporting someone who is, or simply want to understand your options — this episode is a reminder that you have choices, you deserve care, and support may already be available to you. If you’re enrolled in Medi-Cal in California, doula services are now covered — and could make a meaningful difference in your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience. Because motherhood was never meant to be done alone. The Mamas are GOING ON TOUR ALL OF MAY!!! Want to see them?? Visit this site for all show dates: https://linktr.ee/themamasdenpodcast And be a part of The Mama's Den community. Share your email address here: https://tinyurl.com/MamasDen Make sure you connect with our Mamas on IG: @themamasdenpodcast Ashley - @watermeloneggrolls Codie - @codieco Melanie - @melaniefiona

Transcript

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0:00.0	It doesn't matter whether you're going to go to the hospital or you're going to do it at home.
0:03.0	If you're going to have a midwife or you're going to have an OB, you can be autonomous in your experience. And you can achieve a beautiful, centered experience for yourself. And you don't have to think that that means you can't have that because you don't have money. What's up y'all? It's Ashley. It's Melody. And Cody here. and you've tapped into the Mamas-Den.
0:20.9	Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Mamas-Din podcast. and Cody here and you've tapped into the Mama's Den.
0:23.9	Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Mama's Din podcast.
0:30.5	Wow. That has stuck. Yeah. After all this time. What's stuck is that I'm not singing and now you are. You're very good at directing. I do what I do. And I'm very good at singing,
0:34.8	so I'll join in. Yes, exactly. We're all playing our part. You are good at singing. You're good at rapping,
0:40.1	homie. Got these bars like Doug. So Mama's Den fam, we got a special one for you today. We're going to talk about birth, y'all. Birth. Okay? The reason and the way we all got here. The way we all got here in life and on the mama's den.
0:54.9	So I am Cody Lane Oliver.
0:56.3	I have three children.
0:57.7	I have twins who are seven years old and a nine-year-old. All boys born here in California. I have Melanie Fiona. I have two children. Cameron, who is 10. It was just crazy. He just turned 10. And Kaya, who's four, and they were also both born in California. Shout out to Santa Monica babies. I am Ashley Chia. I have four daughters. Amira was born in Columbus, Ohio, like me and her father. We were all born on a Thursday. Oh, wow. And she is 17. And then Zara, who's nine. She's born in Anaheim. Asia was born in Anaheim. She's
1:30.5	seven. And Natalia is my only official L.A. baby. She was born at Cedars. Boom. Oh, wow. She's four.
1:37.6	Okay. So for our YouTube audience, you know that we have two special guests here in the den. For our
1:42.6	audio audience, hang on to your shirts. Now I'm just again. So we have two du guests here in the den for our audio audience hang on to your shirts no i'm
1:45.0	skin um so we have um two duels that are going to introduce themselves but i would just want to share
1:50.1	that kefrey one of our duels that's here today actually taught a prenatal yoga class that i went to when
1:56.9	i was pregnant with brooks that ultimately led me to finding my midwife Kim
2:01.6	through Keffery
2:02.6	and so I'm just so excited to be reunited in this way
2:05.8	and for you guys to tell us a little bit more about yourselves
2:08.9	and how we can help our mamas out here.
2:11.1	Oh, you goddess.
2:12.4	Yes, ohm goddess.
	...

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