I would like to share a bit about why I charge what I charge and what goes into a doula fee...
I've been asked this question over the years.
I've been doing this work for over 8 years now. I consider myself a TRAINED and CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL! Let me show you a bit about what goes into deciding on what to set my fees at.
Pregnancy and Labor Package
Initial consultation meeting – Approximately 1-2 hours
Two prenatal meetings (One can be at a prenatal appointment to meet your caregiver.) Approximately 4 hours
ASAP telephone, text, and email support during contact hours (8am-8pm) Average 4 hours
24/7 on call within 2 weeks of your estimated due date -
Can you really put a time on that?
Around the clock Labor and Birth support once labor has begun – 10+ hours
Pictures of labor and birth with my camera as well as yours
Immediate postpartum support of approximately 2-3 hours, or until the baby has nursed successfully and the family is settled
One postpartum visit to discuss your birth, share photos, dote over your new arrival, discuss options for additional support (breastfeeding, cloth diapering, baby wearing, etc.) – Approximately 2 hours
With these approximations, we’re looking at about 28 hours, in the least, just for interaction with my clients. If you add in another estimated 3 hours for research, paperwork, etc., that goes into setting up each client, we’re at 31 hours.
Travel
The average trip I make to meet with clients is approximately 10-25 miles one way.
Trip time (based on 5 trips) – 5-6hrs
Gas costs (based on 25 miles one way – 5 trips) – $50.75
Childcare & Food Costs
Childcare – Approximately $0-$100 per client including visits and birth
Food During Birth – Approximately $10 depending on the length of birth
Miscellaneous Costs
Hospital Parking and tolls – Approximately $3-$6
Materials for Clients – Approximately $5
Credit Card or Paypal Fees (if you accept this form of payment ) – Approximately 2%-3%
Total Time and Out of Pocket Expenses
Time – 36 hours
Childcare – $100
Food – $10
Gas – $50
Tools for Birth-$25 (ie. oils, rice packs etc)
Misc – $25
Let’s do the Math
Remember the Taxes (Not even figured into these fees!)
Don’t forget that you’re looking at state or federal tax (depending on where you live and what bracket you fall into)
Doula Fee – $500
Less Expenses – (-$210)
Remainder applied toward hours of work (36) – $290
Approximately $8.05 per hour –
Doula Fee – $600
Less Expenses - (-$210)
Remainder applied toward hours of work (36) - $390
Approximately $10.83 per hour –
Doula Fee – $700
Less Expenses - (-$210)
Remainder applied toward hours of work (36) - $490
Approximately $13.61 per hour –
Doula Fee – $800
Less Expenses - (-$210)
Remainder applied toward hours of work (36) - $590
Approximately $16.38 per hour –
Of course, over the duration of my time with a client, I can spend more or less one on one time. This is all approximations.
In the grand scheme of things, you’re paying for an invaluable service during your pregnancy, labor, and birth. The difference a doula can make during this time is often priceless. The least that can be done is pay her asking fee.
Do you think that an OB or midwife would lower his/her costs if a mom told him/her that the fees just are not in their family’s budget? Doulas are a valuable asset to a mom’s birth team. Our time is also valuable – just ask our kids (and the electric company who won’t waive our monthly bill because it doesn’t fit into our budgets!)
I've been asked this question over the years.
I've been doing this work for over 8 years now. I consider myself a TRAINED and CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL! Let me show you a bit about what goes into deciding on what to set my fees at.
Pregnancy and Labor Package
Initial consultation meeting – Approximately 1-2 hours
Two prenatal meetings (One can be at a prenatal appointment to meet your caregiver.) Approximately 4 hours
ASAP telephone, text, and email support during contact hours (8am-8pm) Average 4 hours
24/7 on call within 2 weeks of your estimated due date -
Can you really put a time on that?
Around the clock Labor and Birth support once labor has begun – 10+ hours
Pictures of labor and birth with my camera as well as yours
Immediate postpartum support of approximately 2-3 hours, or until the baby has nursed successfully and the family is settled
One postpartum visit to discuss your birth, share photos, dote over your new arrival, discuss options for additional support (breastfeeding, cloth diapering, baby wearing, etc.) – Approximately 2 hours
With these approximations, we’re looking at about 28 hours, in the least, just for interaction with my clients. If you add in another estimated 3 hours for research, paperwork, etc., that goes into setting up each client, we’re at 31 hours.
Travel
The average trip I make to meet with clients is approximately 10-25 miles one way.
Trip time (based on 5 trips) – 5-6hrs
Gas costs (based on 25 miles one way – 5 trips) – $50.75
Childcare & Food Costs
Childcare – Approximately $0-$100 per client including visits and birth
Food During Birth – Approximately $10 depending on the length of birth
Miscellaneous Costs
Hospital Parking and tolls – Approximately $3-$6
Materials for Clients – Approximately $5
Credit Card or Paypal Fees (if you accept this form of payment ) – Approximately 2%-3%
Total Time and Out of Pocket Expenses
Time – 36 hours
Childcare – $100
Food – $10
Gas – $50
Tools for Birth-$25 (ie. oils, rice packs etc)
Misc – $25
Let’s do the Math
Remember the Taxes (Not even figured into these fees!)
Don’t forget that you’re looking at state or federal tax (depending on where you live and what bracket you fall into)
Doula Fee – $500
Less Expenses – (-$210)
Remainder applied toward hours of work (36) – $290
Approximately $8.05 per hour –
Doula Fee – $600
Less Expenses - (-$210)
Remainder applied toward hours of work (36) - $390
Approximately $10.83 per hour –
Doula Fee – $700
Less Expenses - (-$210)
Remainder applied toward hours of work (36) - $490
Approximately $13.61 per hour –
Doula Fee – $800
Less Expenses - (-$210)
Remainder applied toward hours of work (36) - $590
Approximately $16.38 per hour –
Of course, over the duration of my time with a client, I can spend more or less one on one time. This is all approximations.
In the grand scheme of things, you’re paying for an invaluable service during your pregnancy, labor, and birth. The difference a doula can make during this time is often priceless. The least that can be done is pay her asking fee.
Do you think that an OB or midwife would lower his/her costs if a mom told him/her that the fees just are not in their family’s budget? Doulas are a valuable asset to a mom’s birth team. Our time is also valuable – just ask our kids (and the electric company who won’t waive our monthly bill because it doesn’t fit into our budgets!)
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