questions about hiring a doula

[cheery]

Hi I am trying to advise my friend in selecting a doula. Though she wanted to go to birth center it is 1 hour away and she has decided to use a hosp near her home. I said, that best thing is to stay home as long as possible so you have mostly home labor and then hosp birth.
I was wondering - when do doulas come? Mine met me at the birth center because I only called her when I was getting ready to go there. I wasnt sure if a doula could come and help int eh at-home labouring process and even help in determining when to go to hosp - esp since it is so near, there is no need to go much in advance (to the extent one can predict)

Also do doulas normally charge per hour or a flat fee or a combination?

just wondering. Having some idea gives the client more confidence in approaching a birth professional.

[melissakc]

Sorry, I deleted my message bc I just realized it was the birth professionals forum and you probably want a professional's response. So just ignore me!

[MidwifeErika]

I have only seen a very few doulas who charge by the hour. It is usually a flat fee. Lots of doulas are willing to go to a house first and do some labor support there.

[memiles]

I actually prefer it when clients chose to labor at home as long as possible. While I don't tell clients when it's time to go in, I try to help them listen to their instincts and body, and go in because it's "time", not just because they are scared or excited.

Most doulas do charge a flat rate. It's really the only way to ensure the fee is fair to the doula and the family.

[Rockies5]

it's individual. I tell each client it's up to them. If they are comfortable laboring at home alone, I think that's best because it's easier to tune in and tune out w/o any extra presences; but if they feel they want me I'll meet them at home or at the hospital or for lunch on the way to the hosptial .

and flat rate is most common though I have seen dulas who do a flat rate to like 20hrs, then it's by the hrs. I just have a flat rate.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

A comfortable birth is worth an hour drive. If she ends up with an unnecessary c-section she will wish she made the drive. An hour is really not that bad. That said, doulas are all different. And it also depends on what the mom wants. If the parents are both prepared I think it's best for them to labor at home alone together for as long as they can.

[cheery]

Originally Posted by melissakc

Sorry, I deleted my message bc I just realized it was the birth professionals forum and you probably want a professional's response. So just ignore me!

thanks for the various responses it is realy helpful.
Actually I would have loved to read your response too, Melissa, I guess I logged in too late. Please do post if you have time. I need all the info I can get. I was lucky when I birthed, I just found a friend who was in doula training and she helped me without charge. The hospital here also has nursing students who offer doula services without charge but I have told them not to take their chances with that since they are really not training to be doulas.

Now for a tough question - is there any site where we can get some idea of average / range of fees for doula services? Or do we just have to ask each person one by one and try to figure it out for ourselves. Can we just trust that a doula would never overcharge and not worry about negotiating?

[melissakc]

OK! Sorry, I was just embarrassed that I posted and then realized it was not the Pregnancy forum but Birth Professionals! Oops!

I basically said that most doulas charge a flat fee. I would be cautious of an hourly fee bc that might put pressure on the mom not to have a very long labor, and who needs that kind of pressure from the person who's supposed to be telling everyone else to chill and wait while nature takes its course, KWIM? In my area the going rate is in the range of $350-600. Some doulas will work out a package deal with you to bundle other services too, like postpartum support, photography, massage, etc., depending on whatever additional training they have.

All the doulas I talked to were more than happy to come to my house while I labored and then accompany me to the hospital. I think labor is easier and faster where the mom is most comfortable, so I would want a doula to be supportive of laboring at home.

HTH! Good luck!

[MidwifeErika]

You really do need to contact your local doulas to find out about prices, it varies so much from place to place. Around here the fee seems to be about 350-550 or so, but have heard of doulas in some parts of the country with 1500 fees or more and some places where even the most experienced doulas charge 250. It is good to interview as many doulas as one can so that you can be sure you are choosing the right one for you. As far as overcharging.... I am not totally sure what you mean. I wouldn't try to negotiate unless the fee is something that cannot be afforded and then see if there is something that can be worked out with the doula.

[tlcdoula]

I agree - you really do need to contact a few doulas in the area to see how much they are charging. As far as some overcharging - could be, but then that is why you would look around and ask more than one. In my area the fee ranges from $400 - $900 which is a huge difference in price!

Along with calling about price I think it is just as important to interview with more than one to see which one most fits that mother!

[SublimeBirthGirl]

There is no group of people where every single member is ethical, so I probably wouldn't go on blind trust. But IME in most areas the range of cost for doulas is fairly small and more experienced doulas charge more (for good reason, obviously). I'd call around, do phone or email interviews with 3 or 4. I know where I live, doulas range from $400-600 or so. In NYC I've heard it's $1000+.