doula business questions

[conniebonnie]

i ended up buy ing a cute giraffe stamp for my business cards and talking to my husband and he told me about the giraffe that toured around france int he 1800s and how her name was zafara, which means lovely one in arabic.. and we decided on that name for my doula services
"zarafa; services for the child bearing year"
what do you think?
also, i am thinking about including placenta preparation (drying and encapsulation) in my birth package, anyone else do this? any thoughts?
and info on birth art- if i want to offer belly casting or henna, does my client pay extra for the supplies, or do i take it out of my fee?
I would really like to include these things in my package, but really, it takes alot of time to encapsulate, and usually it s done for about $50-$75. should i just tell them about it and then if there is interest charge them (i wont be charging the first several times i do it of course. ) or include it in the birth package and then discount them if they dont want it? or just let them make a birth package ala cart? i really like doing birth art and want to incorporate that into my package too, but i have the same questions.
any thoughts?

[teachinmaof3]

I think the name is very sweet. However, I would include some kind of tagline to your business name or have an explaination on your website.

For additional services I would make them something a client can add on. Not everyone is going to know about the benefits of placenta preparation (and honestly, many will think it's a bit weird) or will want a belly cast or henna. You could offer incentives for adding more than one extra service. For example if they add more than one additional service, discount them $10 per service (i.e. 2 additional = $20 off, 3 additional = $30 off).

i wont be charging the first several times i do it of course

Why not? You're providing a service, you have expenses, and your experience is worth being paid something. Better to charge something than get burned.

[1stimestar]

As a henna artist and doula I vote for doing them separately. Some women do not want henna, or a belly cast etc. I like the name.

[MidwifeErika]

I would offer those things seperately for a fee and then give a discount on that fee if someone is also hiring you as their doula. That way you leave yourself open to do henna and belly casts on women who aren't hiring you as a doula. You might be a bit busier this way.

I would go ahead and charge SOMETHING for your time as a doula. I didn't, and I wish that I had. I really lucked out that my free clients were wonderful, wonderful, wonderful people.... but it still cost me money to go to their births. In a way, it was advertising fee... now I have word of mouth to help me out a bit more. But, I did once take a free client who I started to feel a little resentful towards... she asked me to take her for free because of them not having any money and on and on, well, that really spoke to me and I wanted to help her. Well, their home is huge, one of their vehicles is worth 2x my family annual income, they went on about 3 vacations during the pregnancy time that I was working with them, etc, etc, etc. So, I would suggest not doing free births because one can become resentful when you spend your money on gas, babysitters, food, time away from work, time away from your family, etc all when they could have paid for your services, but have decided that spending money on stuff is more important than spending it on a doula. I am really starting to understand the argument more that it is about respect and respect for your time and your services. I am lucky that I was never stood up, that tends to be a real problem for doulas who are not charging in the first bit.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

You can offer package deals. They can get the services individually, but if they get combinations they save a little money.

Definitely charge something for your early births. People have a tendency not to appreciate things that are free.

[lilsishomemade]

The advice I keep getting: always charge something. Even if your clients truly don't have the cash, give them a list of books you need or something and ask them to help with your library. People appreciate services much more when they have given something for them.

[mountainborn]

hey friend! i think the name is lovely. and i'm lurking around in here too, thanks for asking good questions. anna

[gentleheartdoula]

I agree with the charge something message. I am just getting started too and have been busy trying to find my first clients. The start-up costs with advertising, printing brochures, etc start to add up and even a small fee will help out.

I also think that you should break up the charges and give discounts if they are purchasing more than one.

Your name is cool.