What goes into a doula's fee?
For some, it may seem that the fee doulas charge is excessive, so I'd like to explain what goes into the fee. Couples having a first baby may imagine that their doula will only be spending a few hours with them during the labor and birth. In reality, an eight-hour labor would be considered pretty fast; most first labors last at least 24 hours. In addition, anywhere from 4 to 12 hours may be spent in prenatal and postpartum visits, in addition to travel time and expenses, parking fees at the place of birth, phone calls, research, email support, and typical business expenses.
A typical full-time doula will accept up to 4 clients per month to ensure that she is reasonably rested when you go into labor. When your due date is added to my calendar, I commit to being available two weeks before and two weeks after that date, which limits the number of clients that I can take each year. Being on call requires a high level of personal sacrifice, including a willingness to attend a labor for an indeterminate amount of time. I may need to cancel or reschedule appointments, miss holidays, birthdays, or other family events to attend a birth. But it is so worth it!
As a doula, I am constantly striving to learn and grow by reading books and studies, watching videos, searching the internet, and taking continuing education courses. Doulas see the variations from hospital to hospital and between care providers. I must be able to work with many different care providers, and I learn from each of their different approaches and tricks. Every birth and every family teaches me something new that I will take into the next births I attend, including yours!
Nobody's getting rich doing doula work. Doulas should be able to make a decent living. If you need free or reduced-fee doula services, I may be available or may be able to help you find a free doula; otherwise, by paying the standard fee you are helping to ensure that labor support is a true profession that can attract and keep talented, skilled individuals. Don't forget to ask your insurance company if they will cover doula services. While very few of them do at this time, the more they hear about the need and desire for it, the more likely that it will become a standard service!
Adapted from Carrie Kenner, Big Belly Services
A typical full-time doula will accept up to 4 clients per month to ensure that she is reasonably rested when you go into labor. When your due date is added to my calendar, I commit to being available two weeks before and two weeks after that date, which limits the number of clients that I can take each year. Being on call requires a high level of personal sacrifice, including a willingness to attend a labor for an indeterminate amount of time. I may need to cancel or reschedule appointments, miss holidays, birthdays, or other family events to attend a birth. But it is so worth it!
As a doula, I am constantly striving to learn and grow by reading books and studies, watching videos, searching the internet, and taking continuing education courses. Doulas see the variations from hospital to hospital and between care providers. I must be able to work with many different care providers, and I learn from each of their different approaches and tricks. Every birth and every family teaches me something new that I will take into the next births I attend, including yours!
Nobody's getting rich doing doula work. Doulas should be able to make a decent living. If you need free or reduced-fee doula services, I may be available or may be able to help you find a free doula; otherwise, by paying the standard fee you are helping to ensure that labor support is a true profession that can attract and keep talented, skilled individuals. Don't forget to ask your insurance company if they will cover doula services. While very few of them do at this time, the more they hear about the need and desire for it, the more likely that it will become a standard service!
Adapted from Carrie Kenner, Big Belly Services
Areas served: all hospital, birth center and home births in King County and South Snohomish county including Kirkland, Juanita, Bothell, Woodinville, Kenmore, Bellevue, Redmond, Sammamish, Seattle, Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, Greenlake, Northgate, Ballard, Shoreline, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, Mill Creek, Monroe, Everett, and Snohomish.