Hiring A Doula
You are welcome to contact any of the doulas directly to set up a complimentary consultation. It is never too early to contact a potential doula! Our schedules can fill up quickly, so if you feel a particular connection to someone, contact them soon to ensure their availability!
A doula consultation, is a good opportunity to ask any questions you might have about a doula's experiences, approach and philosophy. It is also a time to learn whether or not you feel that the two of you would be a good fit in working together.
Once you've decided which doula you'd like to hire, you can contact them directly. Most doulas have clients sign an agreement of services and pay a portion of their fee up front. In general, the remainder of the fee is due prior to services are rendered.
A Note About Doula Fees
Doula fees are set by each individual doula, team or agency. The average fee in the Rochester area for birth doulas is around $1,000 and $30-$35 for postpartum doulas. The bulk of these fees are formulated by the nature of what their services entail:
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Unlimited text, email & phone support throughout time of contract
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Prenatal and postpartum visits
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On call access to birth doulas 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from 38 weeks until baby is 1-2 weeks old
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Availability for continuous care throughout the entirety of your labor and birth regardless of whether or not it's a few hours or a few days
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Childcare costs, travel fees, administrative and business costs, etc.
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Level of experience and training
There is a misconception that newer doulas can offer their services for free. However, to create a sustainable work environment for themselves and their community, most new doulas establish a fee that provides them with a living wage.
If you are concerned about paying the fee for doula support services, please consider the following:
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What items could you sell, or could you host a garage sale, to cover the cost?
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Could you put doula support on your shower registry?
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Do you or your family members have any services that could be exchanged for a portion of the fee?
Some doulas do work with sliding scale fees or are able to exchange goods or services for their support. Some doulas state this and/or their fee on their individual websites. Please contact the doula you are interested in to inquire further.