Services
No Obligation Consultation: This is a chance for you to discover if I am the right doula for you.
Prenatal Meetings: We would meet anywhere from 1-3 times prior to the birth to get to know each other and talk through your birth plan. This a great time to really think about and feel into what your birth looks like and figure out how best I can create that for you. Your birth partner is always welcome, along with any other support people you may want. I also like to meet with you and your Obstetrician or Midwife prior to birth as well, so we can all meet and be on the same page for your birth plan.
Phone, Text & Email Support: I will always be available to support you if you need someone to talk to about your pregnancy, impending birth or any postpartum issues or concerns. Sometimes all you need is to talk to someone to relieve concerns.
Labor & Birth Support: I will be there when you are ready for me and until after the baby is born. I will be on call 24/7 and be ready for your call no matter what time day or night. I will be there to support you during the entire labor no matter how long. I am there to help answer any questions you or your partner have so you don’t have to remember everything from your birth class. I will help you and support your partner in doing relaxation and pain coping techniques. Also, I will support by supplying your basic needs such as food, drinks, or going to the bathroom.
Postpartum Visit: If you are able I would visit you at your home on day two or three after your baby is born. We will discuss how everything is going and how you are feeling. It's a time to evaluate how breastfeeding is going and troubleshoot any issues. I can also support in any way necessary including laundry, taking out the trash or making a meal.
My Fees For the services: Currently, I am a ACBE trained doula certified through DONA International My fee is a flat rate of $675. Addition discounts are available for low income families, students and military.
I am also available for additional support to help with visualization and relaxation techniques. Along with any other support you may need including photographing, videoing or supporting you in creating birth art.
Extra postpartum hours can be purchased as well at $20/hr during the day and $25/hr at night. Postpartum care includes, but is not limited to: Feeding Support (breast or formula), Baby Care, Mother Support (Emotional and Physical), Parenting, Housework and Meals
A Doula's Fees: (adapted form www.gentlebirth.org)
Hours - A birth can range from as few as 2-4 hours to lasting over 48 hours. Most first labors last at least 24 hours. The average time I have spent with a woman for her labor and birth is about 15 hours. I spend 6-8 hours in prenatal and postpartum visits, another 1- 2 in phone calls, text, and email, and up to 4 hours travel time.
Clients per Week - When I commit, I want to make sure I am available to attend you in labor. As with most birth professionals, outside of hospital services, I take a maximum or four clients a month; one per week.
Clients per Year - 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 vacation, or attend a conference, or have a commitment that I cannot miss, I have to add another four weeks during which I cannot accept clients.
Being Self-Employed - 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, and insurance. For me that includes childcare for my son. I also have communication expenses (cell phone and computer connection) and typical professional and office expenses, continuing education expenses, and transportation expenses since I primarily travel to people’s homes.
Putting It All Together - I love what I do and I am dedicated to this work but being on-call all the time requires a very high level of personal sacrifice. I never know what I'm going to encounter at a particular labor. I may end up exhausted after a birth and need to be their for my son as soon as I come home. I may end up holding a vomit bowl for someone vomiting with every contraction during transition. I may end up with blood, meconium or vomit on my clothes. I have a deep passion for this work so it all seems worth it.
Experience Factor – When I am attending a birth I am there in full heart, hands and training. I bring my experience of previous births and continual research on subjects relating to birth. Doctors, midwives, and nurse only know their way of doing things. However, as a doula I am able to be flexible and work with any care provider and learn all their different techniques and procedures.
Bottom Line - "Nobody's getting rich doing doula work. But every doula should be able to make a decent living as a doula without making her life unbearable." Doula prices range significantly and each doula has a right to charge what they want. The connection between a doula and her client is so much more important then what the doula is charging. I am always willing to work with you to make sure you have the support you need for your birth.
Prenatal Meetings: We would meet anywhere from 1-3 times prior to the birth to get to know each other and talk through your birth plan. This a great time to really think about and feel into what your birth looks like and figure out how best I can create that for you. Your birth partner is always welcome, along with any other support people you may want. I also like to meet with you and your Obstetrician or Midwife prior to birth as well, so we can all meet and be on the same page for your birth plan.
Phone, Text & Email Support: I will always be available to support you if you need someone to talk to about your pregnancy, impending birth or any postpartum issues or concerns. Sometimes all you need is to talk to someone to relieve concerns.
Labor & Birth Support: I will be there when you are ready for me and until after the baby is born. I will be on call 24/7 and be ready for your call no matter what time day or night. I will be there to support you during the entire labor no matter how long. I am there to help answer any questions you or your partner have so you don’t have to remember everything from your birth class. I will help you and support your partner in doing relaxation and pain coping techniques. Also, I will support by supplying your basic needs such as food, drinks, or going to the bathroom.
Postpartum Visit: If you are able I would visit you at your home on day two or three after your baby is born. We will discuss how everything is going and how you are feeling. It's a time to evaluate how breastfeeding is going and troubleshoot any issues. I can also support in any way necessary including laundry, taking out the trash or making a meal.
My Fees For the services: Currently, I am a ACBE trained doula certified through DONA International My fee is a flat rate of $675. Addition discounts are available for low income families, students and military.
I am also available for additional support to help with visualization and relaxation techniques. Along with any other support you may need including photographing, videoing or supporting you in creating birth art.
Extra postpartum hours can be purchased as well at $20/hr during the day and $25/hr at night. Postpartum care includes, but is not limited to: Feeding Support (breast or formula), Baby Care, Mother Support (Emotional and Physical), Parenting, Housework and Meals
A Doula's Fees: (adapted form www.gentlebirth.org)
Hours - A birth can range from as few as 2-4 hours to lasting over 48 hours. Most first labors last at least 24 hours. The average time I have spent with a woman for her labor and birth is about 15 hours. I spend 6-8 hours in prenatal and postpartum visits, another 1- 2 in phone calls, text, and email, and up to 4 hours travel time.
Clients per Week - When I commit, I want to make sure I am available to attend you in labor. As with most birth professionals, outside of hospital services, I take a maximum or four clients a month; one per week.
Clients per Year - 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 vacation, or attend a conference, or have a commitment that I cannot miss, I have to add another four weeks during which I cannot accept clients.
Being Self-Employed - 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, and insurance. For me that includes childcare for my son. I also have communication expenses (cell phone and computer connection) and typical professional and office expenses, continuing education expenses, and transportation expenses since I primarily travel to people’s homes.
Putting It All Together - I love what I do and I am dedicated to this work but being on-call all the time requires a very high level of personal sacrifice. I never know what I'm going to encounter at a particular labor. I may end up exhausted after a birth and need to be their for my son as soon as I come home. I may end up holding a vomit bowl for someone vomiting with every contraction during transition. I may end up with blood, meconium or vomit on my clothes. I have a deep passion for this work so it all seems worth it.
Experience Factor – When I am attending a birth I am there in full heart, hands and training. I bring my experience of previous births and continual research on subjects relating to birth. Doctors, midwives, and nurse only know their way of doing things. However, as a doula I am able to be flexible and work with any care provider and learn all their different techniques and procedures.
Bottom Line - "Nobody's getting rich doing doula work. But every doula should be able to make a decent living as a doula without making her life unbearable." Doula prices range significantly and each doula has a right to charge what they want. The connection between a doula and her client is so much more important then what the doula is charging. I am always willing to work with you to make sure you have the support you need for your birth.