About Doula Fees
The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.
Thomas Jefferson
Photo by Dina Marie Photography
(Adapted from www.bigbellyservices.com)
The average time I spend with a woman for her labor and birth is roughly 14 hours (but could range anywhere from 8 to 40 hours). I spend, on average, another 10 to 12 hours in prenatal and postpartum visits, an hour or two in phone calls and emails, and up to five hours of travel time.
A self-employed professional's income is only about half of what they earn, after deductions for vacation and sick time, self-employment taxes, business and insurance expenses, business phone, cell phone and computer connection. I also have typical professional and office expenses, continuing education expenses, and high transportation expenses (since I primarily travel to people's homes).
When I go to a birth, I bring my heart and hands and training, accompanied with my experience and continual research on subjects pertaining to birth.
As a certified birth doula and educator, I keep up-to-date on the latest studies, protocols, policies and procedures regarding massage, birth, hospitals, midwives and medical providers. I am able to work with many different care providers, and see the different variations from homebirth, waterbirth, hospital to hospital, between care providers, and over time, I learn all of their different approaches and "tricks," which I think is unique to the doula profession. And the fact that every birth and every family teaches me something new, I have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and bring many skills to each birth.
So, the bottom line here is that nobody's getting rich being a doula, but every doula should be able to make a decent living without making her life unbearable. There are some people offering doula services at significantly reduced prices, but they are either offering less time and services, are still in training, or are in a financial position to offer free services. If you need free doula services, there are many ways I can help you find a free doula; otherwise, you are doing future birthing women a disservice by making labor support an underpaid profession that cannot attract or keep talented and skilled individuals. If you end up selecting a doula who is undercharging for her services, I strongly encourage you to pay her more than she is asking; otherwise, she may not be around to help you with your next birth.
Doula services are only sometime covered by medical insurance plans, even though the statistics prove that doulas can save insurance companies lots of money by reducing the use of medications, interventions, time in the hospital, and surgical (Cesarean) births. We are also very succesful in vbac deliveries. You can talk with your Human Resources representatives to ask them to include all doula services as a covered option in your plan. By all means, tell everyone you meet about the support you received from a doula - spread the word about doula care so that more doulas are needed and are well-paid and can continue their work for generations to come.
The average time I spend with a woman for her labor and birth is roughly 14 hours (but could range anywhere from 8 to 40 hours). I spend, on average, another 10 to 12 hours in prenatal and postpartum visits, an hour or two in phone calls and emails, and up to five hours of travel time.
A self-employed professional's income is only about half of what they earn, after deductions for vacation and sick time, self-employment taxes, business and insurance expenses, business phone, cell phone and computer connection. I also have typical professional and office expenses, continuing education expenses, and high transportation expenses (since I primarily travel to people's homes).
When I go to a birth, I bring my heart and hands and training, accompanied with my experience and continual research on subjects pertaining to birth.
As a certified birth doula and educator, I keep up-to-date on the latest studies, protocols, policies and procedures regarding massage, birth, hospitals, midwives and medical providers. I am able to work with many different care providers, and see the different variations from homebirth, waterbirth, hospital to hospital, between care providers, and over time, I learn all of their different approaches and "tricks," which I think is unique to the doula profession. And the fact that every birth and every family teaches me something new, I have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and bring many skills to each birth.
So, the bottom line here is that nobody's getting rich being a doula, but every doula should be able to make a decent living without making her life unbearable. There are some people offering doula services at significantly reduced prices, but they are either offering less time and services, are still in training, or are in a financial position to offer free services. If you need free doula services, there are many ways I can help you find a free doula; otherwise, you are doing future birthing women a disservice by making labor support an underpaid profession that cannot attract or keep talented and skilled individuals. If you end up selecting a doula who is undercharging for her services, I strongly encourage you to pay her more than she is asking; otherwise, she may not be around to help you with your next birth.
Doula services are only sometime covered by medical insurance plans, even though the statistics prove that doulas can save insurance companies lots of money by reducing the use of medications, interventions, time in the hospital, and surgical (Cesarean) births. We are also very succesful in vbac deliveries. You can talk with your Human Resources representatives to ask them to include all doula services as a covered option in your plan. By all means, tell everyone you meet about the support you received from a doula - spread the word about doula care so that more doulas are needed and are well-paid and can continue their work for generations to come.
Searching for a doula contact
Lysa Quealy CD(DONA), CMT, HBHD
Beach City Doula
643 S Butte street San Pedro Ca 90732
310-831-5700
frontdesk643@yahoo.com
serving the South Bay and Los Ageles areas.
Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach. Mar Vista, El Segundo, Long Beach, Palos Verdes, Rancho Palos Verdes, Hollywood Riviera, Carson, Gardena, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Long Beach, Lakewood
For more information you can visit www.laharborhealthgroup.com or call (310) 831-5700
