What you’re really paying for when you hire a Birth Doula.

Congratulations! You’re pregnant! Now what? This can be both an exciting and nerve-racking time. There are so many things to do, things to learn, to prepare for, it can seem overwhelming. Luckily, there are birth professionals out there who are willing to help.

A Birth doula is someone trained to support you physically and emotionally through pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. Doulas can be a valuable additional your birth team, but sometimes it comes with “sticker shock” when you look at the cost of hiring a birth worker. Many doulas will barter for services, use sliding scale, or offer discounts to those is difficult circumstances, but hopefully knowing and respecting what a doula really does can help you understand the service you are paying for. Here’s just a few things that your fees go toward.

• The Skills
  • Education is not cheap, and this also applies to birth training. You doula has likely spent hundreds of dollars just for initial training, but few doulas stop there. The world of birth work is always changing and conferences, courses, literature, and experience cost money for your doula. If you value a well rounded, educated doula who is versed in may different aspects of birth, it’s going to cost you more, because it has cost her more to get there.
• The Brain
  • Birth workers spend alot of time reading, listening, learning, and researching all things birth. The great thing about having a doula is you essentially have a walking encyclopedia right there with you! Have a questions about an intervention? Ask your doula. Having a weird symptom? Ask your doula. Just need someone to listen to your irrational emotional outburst? Yup… your doula is there. Don’t waste all your time googling and weeding through information to find the most accurate, use your doula to help you do that. She likely knows many reputable resources and can find what you need if she doesn’t already know.
• The Time
  • If you sit down and think about it, the amount of time a doula invents in a client is significant. Gathering material, preparing for prenatal appointments, answering questions via text, email, phone, postpartum support, finding resources, continuing her education, maintaining a website, social media, and small business are just a few of the things ASIDE from the actual face-to-face time they spend with you. This is all time spend working and away from family, friends, and other obligations. Being on call, cancelling plans, finding childcare, and middle of the night calls to action are just a few things doulas have to ALWAYS be prepared for. They are ready for your 3 or 30 hour labor, and the planning, time, rearranging, etc all deserve to be compensated for.
• The Costs of Doing Business
  • Running a small business is not easy or cheap. Taxes, website fees, gas, childcare, materials, business cards, uniforms, food/snacks for labor, maintaining certifications, I could go on! All these little costs add up quickly.
• The Relationship
  • Enjoy the opportunity to talk through your fears, concerns, goals, dreams, and desires with someone who has genuine interest in knowing them. While it may not be appropriate dinner conversation elsewhere, your doula really does want to know that your concerned about pooping on the bed. Take advantage of this unique relationship you can develop and enjoy someone focusing to intently on you.
• The Advocate
  • Your doula works for you, not your provider or hospital. An ideal team all works together to create the best experience for you. But in the event that you and your provider/nurse/hospital policy don’t see eye to eye, your doula is there for YOU. They can help YOU help YOURSELF but providing you with support, courage to ask for what you want, and strength to stand up for something that’s important to you.
• The Peace of Mind
  • Having a doula present can take alot of the stress off you and your partner. There’s no pressure to read all the books out there on pregnancy, labor, childbirth, etc because your doula is well versed on these topics. Obtain information that interesting to you, and then rely on the doulas knowledge and available resources. There’s no need to worry about the little things, because your doula is fill in the little holes for you. Things like keeping your water filled, allowing your partner to take a break, and having seen birth before can give you the peace of mind that you’re in good hands.
• The Witness
  • One of my favorite parts of birth is when I simply get to be the witness. If the birthing woman (alone or with her partner) have things under control, I just get to sit and hold the space. I keep the peace and witness the miracle that is taking place. The love, strength, and wonder that comes with childbirth. Having someone who appreciates the value, struggle, and accomplishment that comes with bringing new life into the world can make your feel validated, powerful, and strong. I see you. I’m here. You’ve got this.

So when you look at a doulas’ prices, is this much time, knowledge, and experience worth what they’re asking to be compensated? You can shop around for the cheapest option, or pay for the service that best meets your needs with the experience and value you’re looking for? It seems easy to pay for a tangible item like pictures, gear, a new outfit, and it shouldn’t feel different paying for a service that can help you feel positive, empowered, and prepared for one of the most special times of your life. Find the support that’s right for you, and be mindful of the doula who knows her worth and asks for it.