Doula question ???? $$$$ ????

[xoxCoralxox]

How much did you pay for yours ????
This is my first doula , the one i interviewed today ....her fees are 900 $

now when she didnt post her fee on her website i was expecting it to be slightly higher , ( almost 20 years ) ..... but still 900 $ seems kinda....crazy

if your in my area and had a doula , could you link me to there website....
i just ....dont think we can afford 2 payments of 450 $ now and at birth....its rather nuts.

[ajbailey89]

Doulas in my area, Northern VA (near Washington DC) run $900 and up. We definitely can't afford it. I'll probably look into getting one that is training through LLL.

[crunch!910]

The doula I'm meeting with on Friday charges $300 and has been doing it for quite a few years and has experience at the hospital I plan to deliver at. That's the lowest I've been able to find. Some around here charge $600! Ridiculous! It's going to be a stretch, but we're hoping to afford this $300 doula.

[MandeeTheGreat]

I am a doula and although I don't charge that much I don't think it is ridiculous at all. We go on call for you for at least a couple weeks before your due date and until you have the baby. Which is a big sacrifice. Especially to doulas who have families/young children. We are available to you at the drop of a hat. We dont go out of town. We can miss family functions/holidays/our child's birthday. We offer constant emotional and informational support by call/email/text. We then come and support you and your partner during labor, the birth and postpartum. (over 24 hours of work sometimes) You have to think about all of that plus gas, childcare (it can be expensive to get on call childcare) and other expenses. Most doulas end up making little profit or none at all and it is hard work! I think that we are worth it and most women find that our help was priceless. Just some things to think about. Also if affording a doula is really hard for you, there are many doulas who work on a sliding scale or are student doulas (not yet certified) that offer their services for free or basically nothing. We want to help and support you...we don't do this job for the money! Checkout doulamatch.net it lists doulas in your area and their fees. If you do hire a doula and no matter what you pay, I hope you find that she was worth it and valuable to your birthing experience.

[jamilynn84]

Doulas around here (chicago area) run from 500-1000. I paid 750 (which included a repeat client discount of $100).

[MBFL]

I live in Maryland and my doula is charging us $700 for her services. She is wonderful and I am very excited to have her at my birth.

[g-offsmommy]

I'm planning a VBAC and was looking into hiring a doula but had no idea what it would cost. Thanks for the info!

[Cortney]

I practice in NC- it seems like going rate around here is $450-$500. I charge $600 because I have additional qualifications.

[g-offsmommy]

Originally Posted by Cortney I practice in NC- it seems like going rate around here is $450-$500. I charge $600 because I have additional qualifications.

Where in NC do you practice? I'm in Charlotte

[songbird516]

I haven't yet charged because I've been training, but unless I had some really great qualifications (like nursing or midwife training), I don't think that I'd charge that much myself. I understand why some others might, and I'm sure that it depends on the area, but I wouldn't. But, I agree with the other poster that going on call is a huge sacrifice and can mean the exclusion of a lot of other plans, so there is that to consider.

You can probably find someone less expensive, I would think.