Understanding a Birth Doula's Fees

If you're considering hiring a doula for your birth, you may be wondering about the make-up of her fees, which can range from $400 - $1,000+. While the support of a well-trained doula is invaluable, it's helpful to know what you're paying for. Demetria Clark of Birth Arts International shares the following information in a recent post at Inspired Birth Pro:

If you charge $400 per birth, this is a simple breakdown to consider:

• Time with parents 5 hours (prenatals and phone calls)
• Time at birth 10 hours (sometimes much longer, sometimes much shorter, but 10 is a midline average)
• Time in postpartum 3 hours
• Postpartum visits, if you offer 2 3 hours
• Driving time 3 hours average
• Prep and research time 2 hours

Total of 26 hours, which works out to be approximately $15.38 per hour

Other costs worth mentioning are gas, parking (if applicable), childcare for the doula during the time she is working with you, and meals or snacks for the doula during your birth (my doula also packs special snacks in her bag for the laboring mom).

Published: August 11, 2011

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