Walmart expands maternity care services with rollout of doula services

Walmart is adding a new benefit for its employees who are expecting. 

The retail giant is expanding its doula services benefit nationwide. Doulas are credentialed experts trained to support mothers leading up to and throughout the labor and delivery process. During the past two years, Walmart has introduced doula services in four states — Georgia, Louisiana, Indiana and Illinois — as part of a pilot program providing access to affordable and equitable health care aimed at improved maternal and infant health.

Walmart is rolling out the service to eligible employees nationwide at a time when it’s becoming increasingly difficult to access maternity care in many areas of the country.

“We know one of the most important times in our associates’ lives is when they make the decision to grow their families,” said Lisa Woods, VP, physical and emotional well-being, Walmart, in a blog post on the company’s website. “When our associates make this decision, we want to ensure they have access to quality health care options and feel supported during this exciting, yet sometimes stressful, time in life. 

Woods noted that doula services are proven to have a positive impact on the well-being of both mother and child, from reduced cesarean sections, premature deliveries and labor length to general mental well-being, reducing anxiety and stress.

“Doulas are especially important in health care deserts where access to the right care may be limited,” she said. 

Walmart’s doula benefit covers up to $1,000 for services during pregnancy and is part of a suite of benefits offered through the company’s “Life with Baby program,” which is available to employees on most of the Walmart medical plans. The program provides access at no cost to resources like tools to track daily progress, helpful articles from leading experts, special baby gifts and more.

 In addition, Walmart provides eligible associates with access to surrogacy and adoption benefits, including financial support of up to $20,000 in their lifetime, for qualified expenses. 

Walmart's  family benefits also include paid leave for full-time hourly and salaried associates that allows birth moms to receive up to 16 weeks of paid time off. New parents, including adoptive and foster parents, also receive six weeks paid parental leave to bond with a new child.

In 2022, more than 32,000 Walmart parents took advantage of the chain’s maternity and parental leaves and adoption benefits, according to Woods.

“We are always looking for ways to evolve our family building benefits and by expanding coverage for doula services nationwide, we hope that all our associates and their families feel supported during these major life milestones,” she said.

Doulas must be credentialed through either DONA International or the National Black Doulas Association (NBDA).