midwife/doula payments&gifts

Danac210

When are you paying your midwife/s and doula/s? I have a midwife, midwife's assistant, doula, and backup/on call doula. They have set fees rather than payments. They don't focus on the miney aspect of care, but I was wondering when do they expect payment? I'm sure its different from person to person, but wondering what is standard? Do I pay them all after the birth? Before? At our run-thru? What will you do/did you do?

Oh and will you tip them or buy thank you gifts? I'm thinking of some custom jewelry or tote bags, but not sure yet. 4 gifts can get expensive, so I'm leaning towards earrings for all of them. What worked for you?

Thanks

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MilMom2B

My midwife and her assistant (who is also a doula and lactation consultant) have one fee. I paid them a deposit when I officially hired them. And then I pay the remaining balance when I hit 36 weeks and they go on call for me. They are sometimes flexible with their payment due dates based on need.

I don't plan on tipping, but I do plan on getting them each a small gift which I'll give to them on one of the postpartum home visits that they do (I don't think that I'll remember gifts immediately postpartum) or at my 6 week check up. 

mesr

my CNM practice takes my insurance (BCBS).  so they will bill the insurance, and then i'll pay a copay.  for all of the maternity care (including check-ups, labor and delivery, and postpartum care), their fee is around $4000. 

they also require me to hire a "birth assistant" who serves a doula but also has infant resuscitation skills and midwifery training.  she is charging $800, and i pay her in two installments before the birth. 

i hadn't planned on buying thank-you gifts or tips, but i confess that i'm not the most thoughtful person.  i didn't give them anything last time.  i think that if i were to give a gift, the mws would appreciate some birth-related token (since they have lots of birth-related stuff in their offices), and the birth assistant would get some sort of consumable (e.g., fruit, chocolate).

Temp34783000004059

When I hired my HB MW, I paid her a deposit. The rest was due by 2 weeks post-birth, if I remember, but you got a discount for paying it all before 38 weeks. We paid the deposit, then paid her a bit each time we saw her, so that by 36 weeks it was all paid. I wouldn't have wanted to worry about it after giving birth.

I'm a doula, and I require a deposit of 50% when I am hired, and the balance by 36 weeks.

I would ask them to clarify when payment is due if they have not done so, and ask about payment plans if you need to.

As for tips, I didn't give one. My MW actually ended up having 2 apprentices and her backup MW at my birth. Her backup had been her apprentice early in my pregnancy and then become licensed, so I knew her, and she came b/c my labor came on fast and strong and my MW was an hour away. I bought all 4 women a small gift.