Diaper Swappers

crunch!910 · 10-13-2011, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajbailey89

I don't deny that it is might be worth it. We simply just can't afford it. That's all there is to it.

Ditto.

MandeeTheGreat · 10-13-2011, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajbailey89

I don't deny that it is might be worth it. We simply just can't afford it. That's all there is to it.

I know its hard.

Hopefully all insurance companies will start covering the cost. It makes no sense why they do not currently. Having a doula reduces the risk of many interventions that end up costing these companies even more money!

MBFL · 10-13-2011, 06:34 PM

My doula told me that some insurances do cover some of the cost. Also, you can use medical flex spending account monies to cover doula expenses. I don't know much more than that because we have used up our flex spending so I didn't look into it, she just mentioned it at our first meeting.

Squig'sMumMum · 10-14-2011, 09:39 AM

I paid $600 or $800, I don't remember which. I don't feel I got my $ worth though, as the doula was not with me throughout my labour, she only came once we got to the hospital (I laboured at home alone for 4 days, and while I didn't expect her to live there for a week, it would have been nice to have her stop in for a few hours every day to check on me and guide me. I wasn't eating, drinking or sleeping because I was so excited and wanted to concentrate solely on contractions... Naive first timer that I was...). I don't remember her doing much at the hospital either, other than offering me a drink or energy bar now and then and telling me I was doing fine, which was the same thing DH was doing and that I am still angry at him for all these years later LOL I thought she'd be my buffer against the hospital staff, but nope.

Anyway, I think doulas can be great, and I think $900 could be acceptable... BUT it depends on the doula. Definitely talk to past clients, if you can, or go on recommendations.

cupcakedarling · 10-17-2011, 02:34 AM

va- 450

malaynasmommy · 10-17-2011, 07:06 AM

We paid $500 for ours 3.5 years ago. $900 does seem like a lot! A lot of doulas are willing to work with you on a sliding scale based on your income or what you can afford. Maybe shop around and see if you can find one in your area hat does that

missdawn25 · 10-17-2011, 07:23 AM

My doula gave me a student rate since I was a VBAC and she had not had a vbac at that time. She usually charged 650 I think. She was wonderful. We had 3 meetings before the birth and we talked about my wishes, she also a rieki certified so did that with me and foot masage as we chatted. My labor was 7 full days long and we communicated the entire time and she would have come at the drop of a hat if I needed her. She did come within 45 minutes of my water breaking to my house, we drove her suv to the hospital as we only have a car and her vehicle was bigger. She stayed with me in the back oh her suv for the ride as my dh drove and hey...she even offer ver vehicle up for dd to be born in.....she was a proud doula to have had my littlw sweetie born there. We are still friend and chat when we can and get our children together. She also did my placenta encapsulation.

BldrArch · 10-17-2011, 09:02 AM

It varies widely by region! Ours with DD was $600. We just hired her again and is going to charge us the same. But I think she's up to $700-800 now. Others in my area range anywhere from $700-$1200. To me: worth.every.penny

BrandNewMama · 10-17-2011, 09:40 AM

In Kansas...our doula charges $450 or $500 (I can't remember) but the OBGYN group that our doctor is through pays $150 of that as they have discovered the amazing usefulness of the doulas in that group and love encouraging their patients to work with them. It's a group of doulas and you pick one but the others act as a back up if your doula becomes unavailable (illness or 2 clients in labor at the same time, etc). You get to meet and get to know all the doulas and they offer 2-4 classes a month on different topics such as postpartum plans, relaxation, infant massage, nutrition, etc included in the original cost. They are available via text, email, etc unlimited plus a "birth plan" meeting, the length of labor plus 2 hours and 2 follow up visits once the baby is born. Fortunately my doula and doctor have worked together for a few years and they have a solid rhythm. From talking to some of the other women who have used the same OBGYN group and doula group, the $300-$350 is soooooo worth it! I hope you can find someone you love that is affordable!

Pyrodjm · 10-17-2011, 10:45 AM

In NYC, $900 is a bargain. The range seems to be $1000-2200 here. You might be able to get a newbie for less, but the well known ones were charging around $2000, 3 years ago.

10-13-2011, 06:34 PM	#23
MBFL Registered Users Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 157 My Mood:	Re: Doula question ???? $$$$ ???? My doula told me that some insurances do cover some of the cost. Also, you can use medical flex spending account monies to cover doula expenses. I don't know much more than that because we have used up our flex spending so I didn't look into it, she just mentioned it at our first meeting. __________________ Sarah Mom to Violet and someone new coming in December.

10-14-2011, 09:39 AM	#24
Squig'sMumMum Registered Users Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Southeastern USA Posts: 4,945 Ratings: 38 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Doula question ???? $$$$ ???? I paid $600 or $800, I don't remember which. I don't feel I got my $ worth though, as the doula was not with me throughout my labour, she only came once we got to the hospital (I laboured at home alone for 4 days, and while I didn't expect her to live there for a week, it would have been nice to have her stop in for a few hours every day to check on me and guide me. I wasn't eating, drinking or sleeping because I was so excited and wanted to concentrate solely on contractions... Naive first timer that I was...). I don't remember her doing much at the hospital either, other than offering me a drink or energy bar now and then and telling me I was doing fine, which was the same thing DH was doing and that I am still angry at him for all these years later LOL I thought she'd be my buffer against the hospital staff, but nope. Anyway, I think doulas can be great, and I think $900 could be acceptable... BUT it depends on the doula. Definitely talk to past clients, if you can, or go on recommendations. __________________ DH & I happily welcomed Squig March '08 and Hiccup March '12 If there are any typos or grammatical errors I was probably NAK, apologies in advance!

10-17-2011, 02:34 AM	#25
cupcakedarling Registered Users Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: virginia Posts: 219 Ratings: 32 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Doula question ???? $$$$ ???? va- 450

10-17-2011, 07:06 AM	#26
malaynasmommy Registered Users Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 4,828 Ratings: 59 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Doula question ???? $$$$ ???? We paid $500 for ours 3.5 years ago. $900 does seem like a lot! A lot of doulas are willing to work with you on a sliding scale based on your income or what you can afford. Maybe shop around and see if you can find one in your area hat does that __________________ Ashley Happily married to my high school sweetheart SAHM to Malayna 1.18.07 Myleigh 5.1.08 Jameson 12.27.09 (our first homebirth) Hadley 11.13.11 (planned unassisted)

10-17-2011, 07:23 AM	#27
missdawn25 Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Somerset, NJ Posts: 2,135 Ratings: 158 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Doula question ???? $$$$ ???? My doula gave me a student rate since I was a VBAC and she had not had a vbac at that time. She usually charged 650 I think. She was wonderful. We had 3 meetings before the birth and we talked about my wishes, she also a rieki certified so did that with me and foot masage as we chatted. My labor was 7 full days long and we communicated the entire time and she would have come at the drop of a hat if I needed her. She did come within 45 minutes of my water breaking to my house, we drove her suv to the hospital as we only have a car and her vehicle was bigger. She stayed with me in the back oh her suv for the ride as my dh drove and hey...she even offer ver vehicle up for dd to be born in.....she was a proud doula to have had my littlw sweetie born there. We are still friend and chat when we can and get our children together. She also did my placenta encapsulation. __________________ Co-sleeping, tandem breastfeeding, baby wearing, SAHM to Nathaniel (3) and Isabel, my VBAC baby born May 4, 2010 in the back of an SUV!