Why are doulas so expensive?

If you're a parent-to-be researching adding a doula to your birth team, you may have asked this question. Depending on your area and the experience level of your doula, a complete doula services package is typically $1,000-$3,000. That can feel like a big investment! But I guarantee, an excellent doula is worth that much (and more)!

In order to understand a doula's value, it's important to first know what a doula is. If you're not quite sure, read this post for a detailed explanation, and then head back here to keep reading!

In addition to the physical, emotional, informational, and relational support outlined in the "What is a Doula?" post, doulas do so much behind-the-scenes work that adds value to what they offer as a member of your birth team. 

• Your doula will be on-call for you 24/7 during the days and weeks before and after your due date. She'll answer your middle-of-the-night phone calls, restrict her personal and family activities to being within a reasonable drive (~1 hour or less) of you at all times, and must always be in range of cell service. 
• Your doula will serve you outside of your scheduled visits with her. She'll answer texts, phone calls, and emails when you have questions or need emotional support. She'll point you toward reliable sources as you make decisions throughout your pregnancy, and she'll offer a listening ear when you're overwhelmed by the demands of pregnancy.
• During the early labor time, before joining you by your side, your doula will likely offer support from a distance through texts or phone calls.
• Most doulas attend multiple continuing education trainings each year to keep their knowledge and skills sharp. They also read books, listen to podcasts, and network with other professionals who serve birthing families to make sure they are informed and connected with the community.

In addition to all of this value that doulas offer to their clients, consider how doula support can be an investment that ends up saving you money in the long run!

• Studies show that having a birth doula on your team increases the likelihood that you'll be satisfied with your birth. Feeling positive about your birth can make a big difference as you heal and care for your baby. Think of doula support as a long-term investment in your well-being.
• Having a doula also lessens the likelihood that you'll choose an epidural for pain relief (10% decrease, whether or not you were planning on one) and lowers the incidence of cesarean birth by 39%. Depending on your insurance, avoiding these interventions could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
• Preliminary research indicates that having a doula at your birth may lower your chance of developing postpartum depression. Again, you'd be saving money with postpartum mental health resources and medication in this case. And, most importantly, you could feel so much better!

Ideas: How to Afford a Doula

I'm hoping, by now, that I've convinced you that doulas are well worth the doula package price of $1,000-$3,000. Even so, it may still feel out of reach for you to hire a doula. What can you do?

​You may need to think outside the box a little, but there are definitely ways to make having a doula a possibility for you! Here are some ideas:

• For a group baby shower gift, ask for donations to your doula fund! We'd be happy to create a custom gift certificate for you to open at your shower. :)
• Plan ahead! If you're thinking about getting pregnant, start a doula savings fund now!
• Do you have a marketable trade or skill? Many doulas offer bartering for part of package fees. If you or your partner teach piano lessons or do leatherwork or help with taxes or do photography or... (the list goes on!), ask a doula during a free consultation whether she's open to trading some of the package price.
• Many doulas offer monthly, no-interest payment plans. While you'll still pay the full package price, it will be broken up into smaller chunks each month, making it easier to fit in your budget.
• Find a childbirth educator or birth photographer who is also a doula. Many childbirth educators/doulas will give you a discount if you sign up for both services.
• Use your HSA/FSA plan to pay for your doula's services. If doulas are an eligible expense, you will likely be able to pay the full package price from these pre-tax, already-set-aside dollars.
• Do you have a family member or friend who feels strongly about birth support? Sometimes a doula-loving parent, aunt, or family friend will offer to pay (or help pay) for a doula's fees.
• Look around your house for good-condition items you no longer need that you can sell on Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, KSL, or at a good old-fashioned garage sale.
• Crowdfund your doula fee. You never know who would give $10, $50, or $500 towards you having the birth support you long for, until you ask!

Have I got your ideas flowing? What other ideas can you think of?

Sometimes, even with all of these ideas, hiring a doula may still feel unreachable for you. If finances are tight and the above ideas aren't working for you, or aren't reaching far enough, please fill out an application for a grant for birth services. We offer grants of various sizes based on client need and current grant fund balance. We're typically able to offer at least a small grant (and sometimes a very substantial grant) to everyone with true need who applies!

​At Summit Birth Utah, we truly believe that everyone deserves a supported birth, and we will do everything we can to make doula support a possibility for you.