Many parents who are interested in hiring a doula don’t have a point of reference for how much it costs to utilize their services. It is a common question and an important one to answer. However, it may be more beneficial to your relationship with your doula to understand what the doula’s fee includes. Having a deeper understanding of the value, you are receiving for your money can be very empowering and reassuring for many parents. In today’s blog, we will be looking deeper into the question, “how much does a doula cost?”
Why have a doula?
Doula’s bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience in both the common and not so common aspects of pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum for mom and baby. They are there to provide non-judgemental physical, emotional, and informational support to mom throughout the duration of the process. Doulas are trained professionals with a variety of skills and techniques that they use to walk you through each step of the journey from pregnancy to postpartum. They pride themselves on doing their job without replacing dad or your partner but, rather, acting as a supplemental source of strength, assistance, and encouragement. Each of these benefits factors into doula cost.
How much does a doula cost?
There are a number of factors that will determine the cost of your doula including but not limited to the service area, years of experience, professional services provided, additional certifications, and when during the labor process you would like her to arrive. For doulas providing professional services, most often the cost is a flat fee ranging from $1000 to $2000. As mentioned earlier, it is helpful to know what your doula cost entails. You are paying for the doula’s time which is not just the 12+ hours of labor and delivery support but also your prenatal consultations, the time they take answering emails or phone calls. Additionally, when a doula agrees to work for you, they must limit the number of clients they can accept in order avoid birth conflicts. Finally, you are paying for their expertise, training, and other business costs. To provide you the most up to date information, a doula must attend additional training and conferences to stay current.
How much does a postpartum doula cost?
Postpartum doula costs are mainly dependent on the number of hours needed and what level of service you require. Postpartum doulas are most often paid hourly, and rates typically range from $30-$50 per hour. According to the American Pregnancy Association, “the postpartum doula offers many services to her clients, but her main goals are to help “mother the mother” and nurture the entire family as they transition into life with a newborn.” This will certainly entail answering a variety of questions that mom and the family may have about the new baby and providing demonstrations of the skills necessary to take care of them. They may perform light meal preparation or light housekeeping duties. The costs associated with hiring a postpartum doula are going to be dependent on what you and your family require.