Absolutely not.

Every postpartum experience is different—even when you've had a baby before.

Our services are designed for mothers at every stage of their motherhood journey, whether this is your first baby, your second, your fifth, or beyond.

Previous experience doesn't mean you have to navigate this season alone.

We are a private pay service. Most postpartum care covered by insurance is limited to one visit with your delivering provider around six weeks after birth. Because we don’t bill insurance, your visits are built around you, not billing rules: allowing for longer in-home visits, time to ask every question, and support in the weeks when you need it most.

At this time, payment is due in full at the time of enrollment and is completed securely online.

We recommend enrolling during pregnancy, ideally between 28 and 36 weeks, whenever possible.

Enrolling during this window gives us time to get to know you, discuss your previous experiences and concerns, understand your support system and healthcare team, and complete your personalized Prenatal Postpartum Planning Visit, before baby arrives.

Earlier in pregnancy and know you'd like support after delivery? Reach out and we'll add you to our list to enroll you as soon as you're eligible.

Already past 36 weeks or baby is already here? Please still reach out. Depending on availability and where you are in your postpartum journey, we may still be able to support you.

No.

Mary & Elizabeth Maternal Advocacy is designed to complement your existing healthcare team—not replace it.

We provide maternal education, advocacy, support, healthcare navigation, appointment preparation, and resource guidance.

We strongly encourage you to keep all of your scheduled prenatal and postpartum appointments. Within the support included in your selected package, we can help you prepare for your postpartum visit and any follow-up care so you get the most out of each appointment.

At this time, Mary & Elizabeth Maternal Advocacy does not diagnose medical conditions, prescribe medications, or provide medical treatment, and our services do not replace care from your healthcare provider.

What we do is help you understand maternal warning signs, organize your questions and concerns, prepare for conversations with your healthcare team, navigate appropriate resources, and recognize when to contact your healthcare provider or seek medical attention. Visits may include checking your blood pressure and other vital signs, and if something concerns us, we'll encourage you to reach out to your provider or seek care right away.

If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Your visit is centered on you.

Depending on your postpartum stage and individual needs, we may discuss your recovery, emotional wellness, questions or concerns, upcoming healthcare appointments, feeding or lactation resources, support system, healthcare navigation, and other maternal needs.

Visits are individualized rather than one-size-fits-all. Early postpartum visits may require more time, while later visits may be shorter and more focused as your needs change.

Our primary focus is the birthing mom.

We understand that your baby's needs are deeply connected to your postpartum experience, and topics involving feeding, adjustment, and available resources may naturally be part of our conversations.

However, Mary & Elizabeth Maternal Advocacy is not a newborn-care, babysitting, or postpartum household-support service.

We keep the focus on caring for the person who is so often caring for everyone else—you.

We can provide education, encouragement, and help you navigate feeding and lactation resources as part of your maternal support.

When specialized lactation evaluation or treatment is needed, we can help connect you with an appropriate lactation professional or member of your healthcare team.

Great question — and we think doulas do wonderful, important work.

Postpartum doulas help with newborn care, light household tasks, and emotional encouragement during the fourth trimester. Their role is intentionally non-medical, which means when something looks concerning, their job is to point you toward the right provider.

Mary & Elizabeth is different because that clinical knowledge is built into the support itself. As a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over 10 years in women's health, obstetrics, gynecology, and maternal-fetal medicine, I bring clinical insight to every visit — helping you understand what's common, what's worth a call to your OB, and what needs attention right away.

I'm not replacing your OB or midwife, and this isn't a substitute for medical care. Think of it this way: a doula supports you through the fourth trimester. I do that too — but with the added lens of clinical experience, so you have an advocate who can help you navigate the medical side of postpartum recovery with more confidence and less guesswork.

The two can complement each other well — a doula supporting the day-to-day, while maternal advocate focuses on your recovery and healthcare navigation.

Your doula focuses on the day-to-day of those early weeks — helping with the baby, the household, and simply being present. Mary & Elizabeth Maternal Advocacy focuses specifically on you: your recovery, your healthcare navigation, and helping you feel confident advocating for your own needs alongside your medical care.

If you're already working with a doula, we're happy to talk through where maternal advocacy might add the most value for your specific situation — sometimes that's ongoing support throughout the fourth trimester, and sometimes it's simply a Personal Advocacy Consultation for a specific concern.

Select packages include secure, non-emergency messaging.

Messaging can be used for appropriate follow-up questions, resource guidance, healthcare navigation, and appointment preparation.

Messages are reviewed during established business hours and are not continuously monitored.

Messaging should never be used for an emergency or a concern requiring immediate medical attention.

Travel to in-home visits are provided within a standard 30-mile radius of our base near Columbia, SC, with extended travel available up to 50 miles for an additional fee (31–40 miles: $25 · 41–50 miles: $50) per visit.

Enter your address to see if we serve your area.

Outside 50 miles? Reach out at mematernal@gmail.com — happy to see what's possible.

Your support doesn't necessarily have to stop.

Depending on your circumstances and package, we may help you organize questions for your healthcare team, understand your follow-up plan, navigate resources, and prepare for the transition home.

Medical evaluation and treatment remain the responsibility of your treating healthcare professionals.

Babies don't always follow calendars—and we understand that.

Postpartum scheduling is based on your actual delivery and recovery rather than simply your estimated due date. We'll work with you to adjust scheduled postpartum support accordingly.

Our name and mission are inspired by the biblical relationship between Mary and Elizabeth—a beautiful example of women supporting one another through pregnancy and motherhood.

Our values are rooted in the example of Christ and reflected through compassion, dignity, service, and caring for mothers.

All birthing mothers are welcome.

Mary & Elizabeth Maternal Advocacy does not provide emergency services, and calls or messages are not continuously monitored.

If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention.

For urgent medical concerns that are not emergencies, contact the appropriate member of your healthcare team according to their instructions.

Choosing postpartum support is personal, and we're happy to help you determine whether Mary & Elizabeth Maternal Advocacy is the right fit for you.

You deserve to feel heard, prepared, and supported—not just during pregnancy, but throughout your journey into motherhood.

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