Brief History
Leadership
Since 2022, the Maine Doula Coalition represents many hours of unpaid labor by many dedicated people in Maine. MDC operates under a collaborative co-leadership model that centers shared responsibility, transparency, and sustainability. Rather than relying on a single executive, MDC is guided by Co-Leaders who bring complementary skills, lived experience, and community relationships to the work. This structure ensures long-term resilience, balanced decision-making, and fosters a model of leadership that reflects our values of mutual care, accountability, and collective power. Our co-leads, Sarah, Meg, and Cait, are actively involved in policy advocacy, community outreach, organizational planning, and the strategic growth of our statewide doula network. Sarah Tewhey currently serves as the Chair of the Maine Doula Coalition, a role that requires balancing timely decision-making with the advancement of shared goals, all while remaining attentive to timelines. Her leadership reflects MDC’s commitment to collaborative governance, accountability, and mission-aligned progress
For details on members who work in PROJECTS, search the individual project description.
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Timeline
December 2022 - Restore the Floor under the guidance of Meg Whithed convenes monthly meetings for doulas and stakeholders to provide a forum and structure to discuss the expansion of doula services through MaineCare and private insurance.
March 2023 - Maine Doula Coalition is officially formed with Meg Whithed as Chair.
July 2023 - Sarah Tewhey joins MDC as co-chair of MDC. Through a collaborative process, MDC identifies the need for a doula workforce assessment and begins to create Maine's first doula survey
September 2023 - The Maine Doula Survey is launched.
October 2023 - Representatives from Maine Doula Coalition are invited to join the Perinatal Quality Collaborative for Maine (PQC4ME), the Maternal Health Task force and the Maternal Fetal and Infant Mortality Review committee (MFIMR), marking the first time that doulas have had a presence at statewide perinatal advisory groups.
Throughout 2024 - MDC maintains a presence on multiple advisory committees and boards and builds relationships with over 35 state agencies, healthcare providers, public health professionals and social service / community organizations. MDC identifies widespread support for expanded doula access and provides education on doula work across stakeholder groups.
June 2024 - The Maine Doula Survey is officially closed, having gathered information from as much as 85% of the existing doula workforce.
August 2024 - The Maine Women's Lobby convenes the Doula Access Legislative committee, which includes the Maine Doula Coalition and other key stakeholders, to move forward with policy initiatives to expand doula access.
November 2024 - MDC publishes the Maine Doula Workforce Assessment, the first report of its kind in Maine. It provides an assessment of the current doula workforce in Maine along with key recommendations for best practices for the expansion of doula access, including considerations for MaineCare implementation.
January 2025 - Ahead of anticipated MaineCare coverage, Maine Doula Coalition launches the Hospital and Doula Collaborative, a year long pilot program at three Maine birthing hospitals to study how interprofessional relationships between doulas and hospital staff can be improved in order to benefit patient outcomes.
January 2025 - A bill to expand access of doula care to MaineCare recipients is introduced to the 132nd Legislature by Rep. Deqa Dhalac with recommendations provided by the Doula Access Legislative Team (LD1523)
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March 2025 - Doula Advocacy Day was held at the Statehouse in Augusta hosted by the Maine Women's Lobby.
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April 2025 - Testimony Day for LD 1523 was held at the Statehouse (HHS) in Augusta. LD1523 received over 50 pieces of testimony on the impact of doula care.
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May 2025 - Health Human Services Committee held a Work Session on LD1523 and was UNANIMOUSLY voted Ought to Pass!
Background
The Maine Doula Coalition Steering Committee was initiated in 2022 by Restore the Floor with the intention of helping Maine to join the ranks of over 22 other states working to expand doula access. The initial coalition composed of doulas, healthcare providers and representatives from local nonprofits and community outreach organizations sought to identify individuals and groups whose missions intersect with MDC to improve perinatal health outcomes in Maine.
Restore the Floor is an advocacy group focused on connecting communities, developing educational opportunities, and advancing Maine’s perinatal legislative progress.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR HISTORY + THE ROLE OF RESTORE THE FLOOR