05 · Helplines
National helplines
If you or your baby are in danger, call 911. This page is not medical advice.
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
1-833-TLC-MAMA
Call or text. Free, confidential, and 24/7.1
Read the full answerHide
The numeric line is 1-833-852-6262. For TTY, dial 711 and then 1-833-852-6262. Counselors listen, connect you with local support, and refer you to other health professionals. English and Spanish, with interpreters in 60 or more languages. It is for people who are pregnant or just had a baby.13
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988
Call, text, or chat. Free, confidential, and 24/7, for everyone.2
Read the full answerHide
Veterans can call 988 and press 1, or text 838255. For Spanish, dial 988 and press 2, or text AYUDA to 988. The line also includes a Deaf and hard-of-hearing videophone.2
PSI HelpLine
1-800-944-4773
Call or text. This is not a crisis line.3
Read the full answerHide
Press 1 for Spanish or 2 for English. Text in English to 800-944-4773. Text in Spanish to 971-203-7773. You leave a message, and a trained volunteer calls or texts back. PSI sends emergencies to 988, Crisis Text Line, and the Maternal Mental Health Hotline. It is free, with translation on request.3
01 · Medicaid
Does my state have 12-month postpartum Medicaid?
The CMS postpartum table, data file dated September 2026, lists 12-month postpartum coverage as Yes for every state except Arkansas.7
Guam and Puerto Rico are No, and the District of Columbia is not in the table.7
Read the full answerHide
American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are not listed in that table. Coverage runs through each Medicaid or CHIP agency, and the rules vary. The state menu links the agency page when that page was verified on October 17, 2026.7
KFF’s postpartum coverage tracker is a secondary source, not an official page. Published July 15, 2026, it says the 12-month option began April 1, 2022 and was made permanent by the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023.8
Do Medicaid plans cover a doula?
No federal Medicaid doula page was found. Three state pages were verified. Missouri covers doula services for MO HealthNet pregnant women through the 12-month postpartum period, when a physician or other licensed practitioner recommends them, for dates of service on or after October 1, 2024.26Oklahoma said on July 10, 2023 that SoonerCare members can receive doula services.27Minnesota’s Medical Assistance list includes certified doula services.28 Coverage varies by state.
What about a breast pump?
HealthCare.gov says plans must provide breastfeeding support, counseling, and equipment for the duration of breastfeeding, before and after birth, and must cover the cost of a breast pump. The pump may be a rental or a new one you keep. This applies to Marketplace plans and other plans, except grandfathered plans. Some plans need pre-authorization.14
02 · WIC
What can WIC cover after a pregnancy?
WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, one-on-one breastfeeding support, and referrals to medical, dental, and mental health care, at no cost.9
It serves women who are pregnant, postpartum up to 6 months after the end of a pregnancy, or breastfeeding up to the infant’s first birthday, and children under 5.9
Read the full answerHide
People on Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF may already be income eligible. Otherwise income has to be at or below the WIC limits. Enrollment includes a free health and nutrition check.10 TheFNA clinic locator finds a local office. The state menu links the WIC page when that page was verified.11
WIC Breastfeeding Support has guidance by stage, including low supply, pumping, and going back to work.12
Local WIC agencies run peer counseling under the FNA WIC Breastfeeding Model for Peer Counseling. That page does not list how a family reaches a peer counselor. Ask the local clinic.13
03 · Early Intervention
What is Early Intervention, and how do I start?
Early Intervention, under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, is for babies and toddlers from birth to age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities, and for their families.19
CDC says services are free or at reduced cost for an eligible child, a doctor’s referral is not necessary, and you start by calling your state program to ask for an evaluation.19
Read the full answerHide
Parents can self-refer from birth. Every state and territory runs its own program under a lead agency. The federal rules are at 34 CFR Part 303.21
Services may include speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other services based on the needs of the child and family. Eligibility is based on an evaluation of your child’s skills and abilities.19
Under age 3, call the state or territory program and ask for an evaluation. Age 3 or older, call any local public elementary school and ask for a preschool special education evaluation.19
The state menu lists the program name, site, and phone from the ECTA Center Part C coordinator list. ECTA Center Part C contacts, checked October 17, 2026. ECTA says that list is highly subject to change. Some numbers are the coordinator’s office. The note on the number says when no family referral line was listed.20
04 · Mental health
What does PSI offer besides the HelpLine?
The HelpLine, 1-800-944-4773, is free and is not a crisis line. A volunteer returns the call or text.3
PSI also lists free peer support groups, a provider directory, local Support Navigators, peer mentors, and state chapters.3
Read the full answerHide
Online groups meet on Zoom through ShareWell. They cover perinatal mental health, including depression, anxiety, and OCD, plus pregnancy and infant loss. The Get Help page says there are over 50 groups. Groups are described as 100% free forever, cap at 25 people, and are first-come first-served. A free ShareWell account is required.43
The provider directory lists perinatal mental health professionals and groups in the United States and Canada. Searching is free. Provider fees vary.5
PSI lists 400 or more local Support Navigators, a Peer Mentor Program, and a weekly drop-in call led by licensed professionals, with no need to pre-register or give your name. It also lists the free Connect by PSI app and moderated closed Facebook groups. Those routes are free, through the HelpLine.3
State chapters are for advocacy and local resources. Write to chapters@postpartum.net. The state menu links a chapter page when that page was verified.6
Home visiting
Who sends a nurse or a home visitor?
Nurse-Family Partnership, run by Changent, pairs a specially educated registered nurse with a family from pregnancy until the child’s second birthday.15
It is voluntary and free for enrolled families, starts during pregnancy, and is available in 40 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and several Tribal communities.15
Read the full answerHide
The program describes a 2.5-year relationship, with support in pregnancy, postpartum, infancy, and early childhood. It is for expectant parents facing significant adversity. The intake form is on Changent’sFor Families page. nursefamilypartnership.org now redirects to changent.org.1516
Healthy Start projects enroll women, partners, infants, and children up to 18 months in communities where the infant death rate is at least 1.5 times the U.S. average. A care coordinator and a plan can include pregnancy and postnatal care, doula services, and mental health and substance use screening. The page states no cost and has no locator.17
MIECHV pairs trained home visitors with pregnant women and parents of young children, and connects families to WIC, Medicaid, and housing and parenting resources. The page does not state the cost or the enrollment rules. State and local programs deliver it.18
Feeding help
Where is free lactation help?
La Leche League USA Leaders offer free information and support, one to one and in groups.22
Meetings are free, in person and online. The locator finds local help.23
Read the full answerHide
USLCA’s directory lists member IBCLCs in private practice, including home visits, office or clinic visits, and pump rental or sales. Fees are set by each consultant. Insurance may cover lactation counseling. See the breast-pump note under Medicaid.2414
ILCA’s map lists lactation consultants in private practice. Fees vary.25
Alaska
What else is on the Alaska pages?
Alaska Medicaid says recipients whose pregnancy ended on or after February 1, 2024 receive 12 months of postpartum coverage.29
No new application is required. Report that the pregnancy ended within 10 days.29
Read the full answerHide
The Virtual Contact Center number on the FAQ is 800-478-7778. medicaid.gov also lists Medicaid coverage or billing at 800-780-9972, and TDD as Relay Alaska, 711. Apply on thestate Medicaid page.2930
Denali KidCare is Alaska’s CHIP. It covers children from birth through age 18 and pregnant women who meet income limits. Apply through HealthCare.gov or the Alaska Connect Portal.31
Alaska WICoffers free healthy foods, nutrition, and breastfeeding assessment, education, and support, plus referrals. You are income-eligible if you are eligible for Food Stamps, Medicaid, Denali KidCare, or ATAP. Otherwise the guidelines for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 apply. A household of 1 is listed at $36,908 a year, and a household of 4 at $76,313 a year. Call 907-465-3100 or emailwic@alaska.gov. Clinics are listedby region.3233
The Infant Learning Program is the state Part C program, based in Anchorage at 1835 Bragaw St. The Part C office number is (907) 451-5041.3420