Pregnancy, birth and the first year
Book vetted birth doulas and postpartum care experts near you
Tell us once. We match you with trusted local providers and agencies who fit your needs, due date and benefits. You then schedule a free consultation directly with them. Okkanti is free for parents.
Short on time? Get your care match by email, no call needed
Finding the right care shouldn’t be a second job
Matched, not searched
No more calling around. We find providers who work with your benefits and are available for your due date.
Tell your story once
One short, private intake instead of a different form for every agency. One place to schedule and pay.
Planning Support
Not sure what you need? A care coordinator helps you work out which support makes sense, and when.
How it works
Get matched with local birth doulas and postpartum care, simply and safely
- 1Tell us what you’re looking for
Share your due date, ZIP code, benefits and the kinds of care you want. Talk it through on a free call with a care coordinator, or fill in a two-minute form.
- 2Get your matches
We send you a short list of vetted available providers. You can also browse providers yourself by logging in.
- 3Book free consultations
Every provider offers a free consultation. To ensure you find care that feels best for your family, schedule directly with the providers you like.
- 4Book your care with providers
Once you’ve found the right fit, book your care directly with them. Schedule and pay for your care in one place.
“I didn’t know what I didn’t know. It’s been so reassuring to have someone who can help us think of questions to ask and that can guide our preparation.”
Finding comprehensive care
Build your whole care team in one place
Okkanti’s network includes providers for every part of pregnancy, birth and the first year. Your care coordinator helps you work out which you need, and when to set each one up.
Birth doula support
Continuous support before, during and after labor, at your chosen place of birth (home, birth center or hospital).
Postpartum and newborn care
Birth is just the beginning! Day and overnight support at home for you, your baby and everything you care for.
Lactation support
Help with feeding from board-certified lactation consultants, in person or virtual.
Pelvic floor therapy
Licensed physical therapists for recovery during pregnancy and after birth.
Perinatal mental health
Your mind and body matter. Get referrals to licensed perinatal mental health providers.
First-year specialists
Developmental education and support for optimal sleep, infant care and childcare for the first 12 months.
Short on time? Get your care match by email, no call needed
“We had night help and day help after our daughter was born and because of them there was no question that went unanswered, we slept! … Call them the minute you get pregnant, you won’t regret it!”
We’ll help you use your benefits
We work with Medicaid, most health insurance plans, HSA and FSA accounts, and employer programs like Carrot, Progyny and Maven.
- Learn about your coverage
We help you sort through the weeds to understand what your insurance, HSA, FSA and employer benefits may cover.
- Match with eligible providers
We only match you with providers who are eligible for your plan, so you don’t fall in love with someone your benefits won’t cover.
- Pre-authorization support
If your plan requires pre-authorization, we are in your corner to support you through the process.
- Pay and get reimbursed
Pay in one place. We provide the receipts, superbill and documentation needed for your reimbursement.
Want more detail? See what your plan may cover, or read common questions about HSA, FSA and insurance, in the FAQs below.
Local experts and agencies you can trust
Our network brings together independent agencies, practices and specialists in your community. We find the right person for you, and we’ll look beyond the network if we need to.
Some of the providers in our network
Schedule your care call
A free 30-minute call to talk through your needs, your benefits, what kind of support might help and which providers in the network fit.
Your care coordinator
A labor and postpartum doula since 2016. She’ll ask the questions you didn’t know to ask and support outlining your best next steps.
Choose a day
Get your care match
A call is the best way to find your match. But if you’re short on time, or want to see some providers first, answer a few questions and we’ll email you your care matches.
Care you can trust
Your care comes from trusted agencies and specialists in your community. We get to know every provider and agency in our network, including their training, experience and approach to care.
You’ll share personal details about your pregnancy and your family. Tell us once, and all shared information is only used internally to find you the right care.
Okkanti was started by birth workers, and your care coordinator is one too. The people helping you choose know what good support looks like.
Who’s behind Okkanti
Karen Laing
Co-founder, mother, midwife and educatorKaren founded Birthways, a Chicago doula agency, in 1997, and has spent three decades helping families find the right care. Her team has supported 10,000 families, she has trained more than 1,000 doulas, and she helped set the first national standards for postpartum doula certification.
She co-founded Okkanti to bring that support to more families, with more providers to choose from. Many of the Birthways doulas are part of it, as the Birthways Collective.
Questions about HSA, FSA and insurance
What might my plan cover?
The chart below shows how each type of plan typically applies to care for new and expecting parents. Your plan may differ, and we’ll guide you through confirming exactly what yours covers.
2026 IRS limits: HSA $4,400 self-only or $8,750 family; Health FSA $3,400 per person; Dependent Care FSA $7,500 per household ($3,750 if married filing separately). Coverage depends on your plan, your benefits administrator, your state and IRS rules. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.
Can I use my HSA or FSA for a doula?
Often, yes. Most HSA and Health FSA administrators reimburse doula services when you have a letter of medical necessity showing the care supports your or your baby’s health. Okkanti helps you get that letter and the itemized receipts your administrator needs.
Is a lactation consultant HSA or FSA eligible?
Yes. Lactation consultant visits are generally an eligible medical expense for HSA and Health FSA funds, and most commercial plans cover lactation support as preventive care.
Can I use my FSA for a breast pump?
Yes. Breast pumps and breastfeeding supplies are HSA and Health FSA eligible. Many insurance plans also cover a pump, so check your plan first and save your FSA dollars for what it doesn’t cover.
Is pelvic floor therapy covered by HSA or FSA?
Yes. Pelvic floor physical therapy is a medical expense, so HSA and Health FSA funds can be used. Insurance and Medicaid often cover it with a referral.
Can I use my Dependent Care FSA for a postpartum doula or night nanny?
Only in limited cases. A Dependent Care FSA pays for care of your child so you (and your spouse, if married) can work, look for work or attend school full-time. It usually can’t be used while you’re on parental leave. A care coordinator can help you plan which account pays for which care.
Does Medicaid cover doulas?
A growing number of states cover doula care through Medicaid, and coverage rules differ by state and plan. We match Medicaid members with providers who are enrolled to bill their plan.
Can I use Carrot, Progyny or Maven for doula or lactation support?
Many employer family-benefit programs include doula, lactation and postpartum support. What’s covered depends on your employer’s program, so we help you check before you book.
Other questions parents ask
Is Okkanti a doula agency?
No. Okkanti connects you with independent agencies and specialists in your area. They provide your care; we make it easier to find the right fit and keep everything in one place.
Are consultations really free?
Yes. Every provider in our network offers a free consultation, so you can meet a provider before you decide.
How quickly will I hear back?
We send your matches as soon as possible, usually within two business days. Once you have them, you can book consultations online.
What happens to the information I share?
The information you share is used to match you with available providers in our network. [Confirm full data-sharing language and link to privacy policy]
Ready to get started?
Short on time? Get your care match by email, no call needed