Gentle Beginnings Is Now a TRICARE Overseas Provider for Labor Doula Support in Singapore
Welcoming a baby while living overseas can be an exciting adventure — but it also comes with its share of challenges. Many families I meet in Singapore, especially those connected to the U.S. military or working abroad, often wonder what kind of birth support is available to them under their TRICARE plan.
I’m happy to share that Gentle Beginnings is now an approved provider with the TRICARE Overseas Program for Labor Doula services.
This means that eligible TRICARE Overseas families can now access doula support in Singapore at no out-of-pocket cost.
What Is the TRICARE Overseas Program?
TRICARE Overseas is the health-care program for U.S. service members, retirees, and their families living outside the United States.
Through the Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration (CBSD), the program now includes doula and lactation support — a welcome step toward more holistic and family-centred care.
This initiative runs until December 31, 2026, and aims to make birth and breastfeeding support more accessible to families posted abroad or living long-term outside the U.S.
What’s Covered for Labor Doula Support?
As a TRICARE-approved Labor Doula provider, I can now offer:
Unlimited in-person support during labor and birth — continuous, reassuring presence from the moment you need me until your baby is in your arms.
Up to six hours of covered prenatal and/or postnatal visits, which can be used flexibly for birth preparation, emotional support, and recovery after birth.
When authorization is confirmed through International SOS (the regional TRICARE Overseas contractor), these services are fully covered — no copays, no deductibles, and no additional paperwork.
How to Access Your Benefits in Singapore
Contact International SOS and let them know you’d like to register for the Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration (CBSD)
Once you’re enrolled, request to work with Gentle Beginnings — Tania Stephan, a registered TRICARE Overseas Labor Doula provider.
After confirmation, we can plan your prenatal visit(s), prepare your birth preferences, and I’ll be on call for your labor.
(Please note: CBSD benefits don’t apply for births at U.S. military hospitals or clinics, as those facilities already provide in-house support.)
Lactation Support — Coming Soon
While I’m already approved under TRICARE for Labor Doula services, my registration for Lactation Support is still in progress.
Families can continue to book private breastfeeding consultations, and I’ll update this space as soon as lactation sessions become covered.
Why This Matters
For families far from home, having a familiar, trusted presence during birth can make all the difference. Research shows that continuous doula support reduces the likelihood of interventions, shortens labor, and helps families feel calmer and more confident.
With TRICARE Overseas now recognizing this essential support, families in Singapore can access professional, compassionate doula care without financial barriers.
As a doula and lactation counsellor, my goal has always been to help families feel informed, supported, and cared for throughout pregnancy and birth.
Being part of the TRICARE network allows me to extend this care to even more families who need it most.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re covered under TRICARE Overseas and expecting your baby in Singapore, you can begin by registering through International SOS, or reach out to me directly at Gentle Beginnings.
I’ll happily guide you through the steps to make sure your coverage is in place before your due date.
✨ Your body, your baby, your birth — supported with care, now fully covered with TRICARE Overseas.
