Your Doula is Worth the Moola!

Invaluable [in-val-yoo-uh-buh l] adjective 1. beyond calculable or appraisable value; of inestimable worth; priceless: “an invaluable art collection; her invaluable assistance.”

I once had my services described as invaluable by a client and it wasn't until recently that I sat down and thought about what she was really saying to me. Invaluable. Priceless. She was talking about her birth experience with me as her doula like she was describing the Alba Madonna by Raphael.

Doula work is seen as a labor of love and the notion that doulas should work for free is widely accepted; even though those very women that insist they do it for no cost sing praises of the priceless support their doulas gave them. So many women, including myself, feel called to this work and have a difficult time placing a price on ourselves that truly reflects the value of our services. Pressure from clients and peers to give away free support alongside our own needs to support our families, pay our bills often results in doulas selling themselves short and burning out early.

So how does a doula decide their fees on services that are so often seen as priceless? Let's take a look at the break down of my standard package the “Birth Essentials” support package from Live.Breathe.Birth Doula Services that is offered at $600.00.

Initial consultation meeting – 1 hour Two prenatal meetings - 4 hours One care provider meeting - ½ hour Birth plan assistance - 1-2 hours Text/email support - 4 hours 24/7 on call at 38 weeks - Can you really put a time on that? Continuous labor support - 12 hours Immediate postpartum support - 2 hours One postpartum visit - 2-3 hours

So that is roughly 30 hours, at least, with one client. That does not include the research, administrative stuff and other legwork that I put into my time with a client, for that lets add 5 hours. So we are looking at a minimum of 35 hours per client. Now let's look at the other expenses that go into consideration.

Travel I include a standard fee of $50.00 to cover travel expenses up to 40 miles one way. It takes me anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour one way to reach my destination. This adds up to a total of 4 to 8 hours of travel time per client.

Childcare I have three children that require care during any meetings with clients and of course the birth. This can total up to 25 hours of care at $3.00 an hour per child for a total cost of $225.00.

Miscellaneous Costs Materials for client welcome packets - $6.00 Snacks and drinks for birth - $10.00

Total Time and Out of Pocket Expenses Time – 40 to 50 hours Travel/Gas - $50.00 Childcare - $225.00 Misc Costs - $16.00

$600.00 package price - $291.00 out of pocket expenses

The total remaining after we deduct the initial expenses is $434.00. Take that $434.00 at 40 hours worked means I make only $7.72 per hour or only $6.18 at 50 hours.

That hourly rate is lower than the current minimum wage and that is still before taxes are set aside! Would you be willing to work a job that requires you to miss out on your children's lives and strain your family relationships for less than minimum wage? I doubt it! So the next time you're considering hiring a doula don't balk at her rates. Remember that while she is providing an invaluable service to you she also has a family that needs her and bills that need paid. If you truly believe a doulas services are priceless, pay what she is asking and not a cent less.