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Chicago doulas typically charge anywhere from $1200-2800+ per birth. That can give anyone sticker shock! Over a thousand dollars for a few hours of birth support??? Breaking down the one-time fee can help. Scroll to the bottom if you are a numbers person.
First consider these costs:
$1,000: New phone
$1,000: UPPAbaby stroller
$2,000-4,000: Wedding photographer
$16,000: Average IL hospital birth
None of those items lowered your chance of Cesarean and increase birth satisfaction, but doulas do. When you think of doula support, you likely are thinking just about the support given on the actual day of the birth. That is just the tip of the iceberg! Here are some of the things underneath:
Experience: You get what you pay for! Newer doulas offer a lower priced package in exchange for learning experience. Experienced doulas command higher fees due to their expertise and track record of successful births and positive reviews.
A doula is no longer considered new after 25 births. I personally noticed a big shift in my practice and my confidence around 40-50 births. Now, I have attended 60+ births, have developed a wide range of coping strategies and techniques to you during labor and childbirth, and specialize in queer inclusivity and VBACs.
Education and Training: Although the doula field is unregulated, most credible doulas have trained through a formal program and/or an apprenticeship. Some trainings are 4 hours, others are weeks and weeks with homework and assignments. Again, you're going to get what you pay for. Someone with less formal training will take longer to acquire experience.
My boring resume page is here if you'd like to snoop. I'm a doula, a childbirth educator, and lactation consultant, but I also have a professional obligation to continue learning. Currently working on my Birthing From Within certification that takes about 1.5 years and includes extensive mentoring. I also regularly partner with other doulas so that we can learn from each other.
Continuous Availability: While some doulas are hobbyists, taking just one client here and there, I live that on-call life for my clients 24/7. I am prepared to drop everything and attend to your needs at a moment's notice. This level of availability requires flexibility in my schedule, a strong back up doula, and for me to miss important life events of my own.
Prenatal and Postpartum Support: Comprehensive support that extends beyond the actual birth. This includes prenatal meetings to establish a relationship, discuss birth preferences, and provide education, as well as postpartum visits to assist with breastfeeding, newborn care, and emotional support during the early postpartum period. All my clients get unlimited phone call and Zoom support, because I want to actually get to know you and build a relationship before your birth.
I think clients sometimes underestimate how helpful it is to have continuous care into postpartum. I am someone who witnessed your birth who can help you process it later. Plus, I'm on call for the first 3 months postpartum. I can't tell you how many partners take advantage of being able to text or call in those first few weeks as the family transitions.
BIRTH: The part most people are prepared to pay for! Births are usually several hours, and sometimes go for days. I'm there in the thick of it with you as a witness and guide.
I provide comfort measures, such as massage, breathing techniques, and encouragement, to help birthing individuals cope with the challenges of labor. In turn, after births I need some intense self-care of my own: from therapy to physical adjustments, I invest in myself so that I can be available to you. Doulas have a high turnover rate because of burnout, so I work hard to avoid that in my practice.
Business Expenses: Because of the world we live in, I need things like including liability insurance. I also have to keep Stevie the Subaru fed and happy after all the wear and tear of dashing to middle-of-the-night births. Plus there are all the regular, boring business things like website, supplies, marketing expenses, and ongoing professional development. Heck, I write this blog for free! If I charged clients for this part of my business, I would need to drastically increase my price.
Value of the Service: I can't tell you how many times I've heard some version of, "Wow, that would've sucked without you" or "We couldn't have done that without you!" There is a LOT of research on why doulas are rad. We do a lot of intangible work at births. You can read my reviews from birth clients here.
Breaking Down the Hours: Another way to think about it is in terms of hours in a basic package:
1 hour consult
3 hours intake paperwork and client gift bag prep
10-12 hours for prenatals (including prep and travel)
5-10 hours text, email, and phone support
12-24 hours at birth
5 hours postpartum (including prep and travel)
= 45 hours (average) per client, or about $35/hour (the low-end going rate for a postpartum doula)
Doulas take a set amount of money because we don't want you watching the clock during your birth and thinking about an hourly rate. Yes, sometimes births are faster. Though, usually not first births and not very often. Most of us keep careful track of our average number of hours so that we can adjust prices accordingly.
This is not a rich people thing. Doulas are advocates. If cost is prohibitive for you or your family, try reaching out to doulas in your area. I offer payment plans as well as discounts for low-income LGBTQ+ families.
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