The why
Doulas are becoming increasingly integrated into healthcare systems across the United States. In 2021, the Tricare Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration (CBSD) launched, creating an opportunity for eligible military families to access doula services covered by Tricare.Since the program's implementation, it has become clear that there is a significant need for education and support surrounding Tricare participation, billing requirements, and the unique needs of military families navigating pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. Many doula training organizations have little to no military-specific focus, leaving birth professionals and decision makers without the knowledge and resources needed to effectively understand the needs of expecting military families.In addition to improving access to maternity care, the growth of doula services presents a meaningful employment opportunity for military spouses. As one of the few professions that can offer flexibility through frequent relocations, remote work opportunities, and entrepreneurship, doula work has the potential to support military spouse career continuity while strengthening support networks within military communities.
Our platform is the first of its kind, designed to bridge these gaps by providing military-focused education, resources, mentorship, and business support for both providers and military families. By empowering military spouses to build sustainable careers as birth professionals and equipping providers to navigate Tricare and the Military Health System, we are helping expand access to quality doula care while supporting military family readiness and well-being around the world.
military Doula Trainings
Our commitment is to provide Military focused, comprehensive education for professionals who want to confidently support military-connected families. This specialized training covers the unique challenges of military life, including frequent relocations, deployments, command structures, and navigating military healthcare systems such as TRICARE. Preparing professionals to deliver informed, compassionate, and culturally competent care within military communities.
military spouse-Led
Amanda Dodson
Founder
Her Story:
The past 18 years serving military families as a doula, combined with 26 years as a military spouse, have all led to this moment. This platform has been years in the making, a vision shaped by countless experiences, conversations, and opportunities to serve our community.
Amanda is a veteran, mom, military spouse and doula. She started her journey towards doulaing in 2008 while in California when stationed with her USMC spouse at Camp Pendleton. After moving to Okinawa in 2011, Japan Birth Resource Network was created in 2013. A few years later the establishment of the Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum Coalition (MBRNPC) was the solution to a bigger need. Through many endeavors in between, Amanda has been privileged to be part of building resources and support for hundreds of military families all over the world. Along the way, she realized it was time for a significant pivot. That meant passing the baton of MBRNPC to others and most recently stepping away from teaching HypnoBirthing after 18 years, it was time to finally bringing this long-held vision to life.
This platform was created to fill a gap in the military perinatal space by providing support, resources, and education centered on the unique experiences of military-connected families and the professionals who support them.
As this platform grows and evolves, you are invited to join us along the way. Your support is always welcomed. You are in a place where people who have spent the majority of their time in the birth space serving families in the military are here to ensure proper education, support and resources for anyone who wants to be involved and connected to the military perinatal space.
Melissa Frane
Executive Director
Her Story:
Melissa is a Coast Guard spouse of almost 20 years, mother of 3 and birthworker who is passionate about supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum journey. She completed her birth doula training with DONA International in 2018. She went on to pursue postpartum doula certification in 2022 after noticing the challenges many of her military clients were facing. She has also completed a Spinning Babies Workshop and numerous continuing education courses to expand her knowledge and skills to better support families throughout their birth experience.
As a doula, Melissa strives to provide the best care and support for every family she serves. Her approach is grounded in listening, empathy, education, and encouragement. She creates a supportive space where families feel informed, confident, and empowered to make decisions that are right for them.
Melissa understands the unique experiences that come with being a military family. From navigating a PCS, establishing new medical care, raising a family in a new location, getting connected to local resources and also maintaining a career amongst all the changes. She brings over 11 years of professional leadership and management experience with her passion for birth work and supporting doulas. Throughout her corporate career, she developed a strong foundation in leadership, training, team development, communication, problem-solving, and mentorship—skills that now play an important role in the way she supports and develops other doulas. Her goal is to create a mentoring relationship where doulas feel supported as they build their skills and develop their own unique approach to serving families.
