A Doula’s
Fees
Many people ask about the breakdown of professional labor support fees. I offer this information
so that you'll have a better idea of what your money it paying for.
HOURS
Most first labors last longer
than 18 hours; some can last as long as 40 or more. The average time I spend with a woman for her labor and birth is about
12 hours, although I used to spend even more before I started providing birth hypnosis to all of my clients. I spend at least
another 6 hours in prenatal meetings and more if the client chooses to have the postpartum meetings. Phone calls, individual
research and responding to e-mails often adds another hour or two per client.
CLIENTS
When I make a commitment
to be available to attend you in labor, I limit the number of clients I put on my calendar to avoid birth conflicts and to
ensure that I am reasonably rested when you go into labor. I try to schedule two (2) to three (3) clients per month. When
I put your due date on my calendar, I commit to being available two weeks beforehand and two weeks after that date. This means
that when I schedule a two-week vacation, I have to add another four weeks during which I cannot accept clients.
SELF-EMPLOYMENT
FACTOR
The rule of thumb is that a self-employed professional's income is only half of what they earn,
after deductions for vacation and sick time, self-employment taxes, health insurance, and business expenses. Communication
expenses are high for a doula -- I have a cell phone, a web site, and a computer with a high-speed Internet connection. I
also have routine professional and office expenses and unusual transportation and supplies expenses. In addition, there are
supplies I bring with me
to your birth and give you at appointments and interviews.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
It’s important to me to keep up with all of the most current information. In order to attend conferences and training
opportunities, I often have to limit the number of clients I can accept around the time I will be unavailable, thereby reducing
the number of clients I can work with each year.
**This is adapted from B*E*S*T Doulas.com
