Before, During and After
Talk through prenatal preparation, comfort measures and follow-up visits. Every agreement is different, so ask what yours includes.
Your Birth, Your Setting, Your Team
Explore Tacoma's hospitals and The Birthing Inn with doula support in mind. Your clinical care team will help you determine which setting is right for your pregnancy.
Can a Doula Support Me Where I Plan to Give Birth?
Yes. A doula works alongside the people providing your medical care. Build a support team that respects your preferences and fits your birth plan.
Your Hospital or Birth Center
Confirm your doula's availability for your due date and their experience at your chosen hospital or birth center. Ask about that setting's current support-person policy.
Planning an Epidural, Induction or Cesarean?
Tell a prospective doula about your plan and ask how they support families within the care team's recommendations and the facility's policies. A doula can support every kind of birth.
What Does a Doula Cost?
Ask for a complete quote that covers prenatal meetings, labor support, postpartum follow-up and backup. Compare what is included, not just the headline price. Check whether your benefits can help.
Which Hospitals Near Tacoma Offer Maternity Care?
The seven below are the closest. Start with each hospital's own maternity information. Ask about doula access and the care that fits your pregnancy.
Doula Support at Your Chosen Setting
This list is a starting point, not a partnership. It does not guarantee doula access. Confirm each setting's current policy and the places each doula supports. To find an OB-GYN or midwife, use each hospital's own provider directory.
- Tacoma General HospitalTacomaMaternity information
- St. Joseph Medical CenterTacomaMaternity information
- Good Samaritan HospitalPuyallupMaternity information
- Madigan Army Medical CenterJoint Base Lewis-McChordMaternity information
- St. Francis HospitalFederal WayMaternity information
- Auburn Medical CenterAuburnMaternity information
- St. Elizabeth HospitalEnumclawMaternity information
Is The Birthing Inn Right for Me?
Your clinical team will help you figure that out. The Birthing Inn is a freestanding birth center in Tacoma. Your midwife provides your clinical care there. A doula can offer nonmedical support and help you prepare your questions. Ask the clinical team whether a birth center is right for your birth plan.
TRICARE and Apple Health
The Birthing Inn accepts most major insurances including TRICARE and Apple Health. Midwife care and doula support each have their own coverage rules, so check with your insurer. Our insurance guide explains what to ask.
Come With Questions
- Who would provide my maternity care?
- What are the clinical eligibility requirements?
- What services and comfort options are available?
- How are transfers handled if they are needed?
- What are the separate facility and provider costs?
What Should JBLM Military Families Know?
Most of it comes down to how TRICARE treats a doula and where your doula can attend. Here's what to know as you plan for your baby at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Your Community and Your Birth Setting
A doula who serves JBLM families does not necessarily attend births at Madigan. Ask about each doula's service area and availability around your due date.
Know the TRICARE Distinction
The TRICARE doula benefit does not cover planned births at military hospitals and clinics. That is a coverage rule. It is separate from whether you may bring a doula you arrange privately. Confirm Madigan's current policy and check civilian maternity care requirements with TriWest.
Birth Preparation That Fits Your Family
Sarah Schofield's classes through The Prepared Birth cover hospital and birth center births. Ask her about your planned setting and your practical needs.
Connect With Sarah
Not sure where to start? Sarah brings 15 years of experience supporting Tacoma families as a birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator and birth assistant. Send her a message about doula options or exploring The Birthing Inn. She'll help you find your next step.
Sarah Schofield, The Prepared Birth
Visit The Prepared BirthTours and facility information
Contact The Birthing Inn
Sarah can help you explore services, but she cannot confirm your coverage. Check your benefits directly with your insurer, Apple Health or your employer's benefits administrator. Our insurance guide explains what to ask.