cost of a doula

ljanette85

forgive me if this was asked on here before...

 what is the typical cost of a doula? i am considering hiring one... i see the doc next week and will ask her to recommend one (she mentioned it before)

 

thanks!

Dana&Pete

Mine charges $600. But I live in a fairly rural area... I imagine it gets more expensive as you are closer to cities.

pixieprincss

It depends on your location and the doula's experience. We live in a HCOL area and paid $900 last year for a doula with 3 years' experience. More experienced ones in my area are $1200+. Doulas working on certification are about $400 and new are about $600. Again, this varies.

pugznploons

it does vary by region, most of the ones in my area charge from $400-$700 but will do it for free or reduced cost if you are low income

kami1977

My first doula was $400 dollars and was just finishing up her certification 2 years ago.   My current doula is $650 and has been certified for a year and a half.  I think my friend is paying about these amounts for her doula as well.   I do know of one midwife who will act as a doula for hospital births but charges $1,000 to do it.  In my area we have an association of doulas who provided reduced cost and free services to low income women.    It really varies based on region and their experience level.

Chelsey68

I live in a town with a population 40,000 the only doula we have here costs $400

SWBs Wifey

There is a huge range of price difference!  When I lived in GA, I paid $350 for the doula we hired.  Our doula for this birth is a student and she normally charges $125 to cover childcare for her kids, but we arranged not to pay her.  Another doula I met recently charges $500.  And a friend had a doula in Arkansas that was well over $1000, but she also did prenatal massage every week... 

sarahintx05

We are paying $550 for a doula in SC with several years of experience.  She was recommended by my midwife.  I think there are a few in my area that are around $400-$500.

Ms Molly

Mine is fairly inexperienced (doing it about a year) and charges $500.

skio

I'll be hiring a Doula for my next birth (currently TTC) and it will cost $1275. Good 'ole NYC-metro. But the cost deterred me last time and my birth plan crumbled and ended in c/s. I will do anything I can to get myself through a natural birth next time around; the money seems like a small sacrifice when I consider the emotional suckage of the last year.

Smurphette

With my second son my doula cost $250.  She had years of experience and was completing training to become a homebirth midwife.  She was absolutely amazing, because of what she taught my husband and me and how she supported us during labor, we had the confidence to have a natural birth with our second son without a doula (we had moved to a new area).