Doula Q's

529 Views 11 Replies 9 Participants Last post by poetesss, Apr 21, 2006

poetesss

Discussion Starter · Apr 10, 2006

Hi all, I am cross-posting this here and on the "I'm pregnant" forum. thanks for any advice you can offer!

I'm thinking about getting a doula, but have some questions for others who have done it:

1-How much did you pay, and what services were included? (or if you are a doula, how much do you charge?)

2-Is it worth it to have a doula if you are already seeing a midwife who you are comfortable with and shares your birthing philosophy?

I am seeing a midwife but am considering a doula to be a hypnosis coach during the pg and during labor. I can induce a hypnotic trance in myself but I'm really out of practice and do well when someone else is guiding me. Otherwise I take forever to "go under." Also I'd like someone there to administer homeopathic remedies (don't trust dh to do it...thinks i'm "weird" anyway for getting into the hypnosis and homeopathy in the first place....sigh...) Also if I need a hospital transfer I'd like someone there to fight like hell for what I want (cause I know dh will be like, "doctor knows best")

I also don't want to get ripped off by an over expensive doula!

Oh, and if someone has a recommendation for a doula in the Tampa Bay area who is familiar with hypnobirthing, please pass it on!

((and btw, to all the midwives and doulas out there, you rock! Keep doing what you are doing, the women of the world need you!!))

Thanks!!

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rnchrista

· #2 · Apr 10, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by poetesss
Hi all, I am cross-posting this here and on the "I'm pregnant" forum. thanks for any advice you can offer!

I'm thinking about getting a doula, but have some questions for others who have done it:

1-How much did you pay, and what services were included? (or if you are a doula, how much do you charge?)

I think it all depends on what area you live in. Where I am, most doulas charge $500-$700
2-Is it worth it to have a doula if you are already seeing a midwife who you are comfortable with and shares your birthing philosophy?

With my first birth, I didnt have a doula. I was planning a hospital birth attended by a CNM, figured she would be my labor support. Well, she had several other clients in labor at the same time so I relly didn't see her till the end.

Second birth was a homebirth. didn't have a doula

Third birth was a planned homebirth but ended up with a hospital induction for blood pressure problems. I had a doula. Never again will I go without! My labor was easier and my doula got my husband involved so I was much happier with his involvement after this birth. If I get pregnant again, I will have a doula, even if its a homebirth.

Thanks!!

Hope you have a great birth!

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courtenay_e

· #3 · Apr 10, 2006

I am a doula. I am, however, a new one. The average cost for a doula in our area is around $400-$600, although the midwives who also work as doulas can apparently charge much more (I've heard upwards of $900)...there are only a couple in our area who charge that much though. Discounts are given to moms who take CBE classes from the same person they use as a doula (I think like a $50 total discount). I would use a doula even if I had a midwife I liked...and I did...I was glad I had them both. All that being said, I charge $400 currently, and plan to do this for about six more months (I average 2-3 births a month), and I'll raise it to $450 for another year and then most likely sit at $500 until the market will take a price hike, which in Michigan will most likely be a decade or so (we have a very depressed economy right now). I also take a free birth every quarter, as I truely believe that a woman's economic status should in no way disallow them from having the support every woman deserves during labor and birth.

My services include two two to three hour prenatal appointments, the labor and birth, and I stay until a succesfull breastfeeding has taken place (I've stayed as little as an hour and a half after the birth and as long as eight hours, but that was a special circumstances, she had literally no other support person and had a c-section). Then I also provide a post partum appointment. We usually also speak several times on the phone before and after the birth. During the prenatal appts, of course, I provide education as needed.

Hope that helps. Lack of experience doesn't necessarily mean that they're not as good as the one who charges $700, either. It all depends on with whom you click! Good luck in your search, and I know this is a little biased, but having used a doula myself twice, I would highly recommend one (and I use hypnobirthing to have my kids!).

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emmabella

· #4 · Apr 11, 2006

EVERYBODY needs a doula!!! I'm a doula and CBE, had two midwives plus assistants plus my very supportive husband. Still, I don't know how I would have made it through labor without my doula. She was especially important when I had to transfer to the hospital, we were so relieved she was there. Remembering how supportive she was has totally enriched my perspective as I work with my doula clients.

In Seattle I'd say the baseline fee is hovering around $500 but I've heard of a few charging as much as $1500 (including massage and photography). Many doulas who are in the process of certifying with attend births for free or at a discounted rate. Check to see if there is a local certifying agency or doula association in your area, that would be a good place to start. You can also search DONA's website by state: www.dona.org

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lovesprout

· #5 · Apr 20, 2006

emmabella said:
EVERYBODY needs a doula!!! /QUOTE]

"Needs" is a strong word IMHO. I would say everyone can benefit from having a caring and supportive/doula assistant available. I did not have a doula for either of my births. But I did have a brilliant staff at the freestanding birth centers I birthed at. I some ways my husband was my doula at both.

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mamallama

· #6 · Apr 20, 2006

I should have had a doula at my first birth. For some reason, I didn't expect my partner to freeze up the way he did. In hindsight, I should have seen it coming. I didn't blame him then, and I don't now. He needed a doula as badly as I did.

My second birth was at home. I knew ahead of time that one of my midwives would come when I asked, and the other would just come for the birth. If I'd needed a transport, one of them had hospital privleges. I was comfortable with the continuity of care. My homebirth was quick and easy, and I was so deep in my labor that I wouldn't even have noticed the presence of one more person!

I am a doula now. I do think that nearly all first time moms bound for the hospital need a doula. Maybe most of the nursing staff is great, but you could always get the wicked nurse. Maybe the whole nursing staff is great, but they're too busy to give much one on one time. Labor support is a lot of pressure to put on a dad, especially under less than ideal conditions.

Some midwives are there just to catch the baby--even at a homebirth. You should know ahead of time if that's your midwife's philosophy. If it is, you might want to consider someone who can provide labor support.

In my area doulas charge $300-$600. Courtnay described the services most doulas provide. With my own clients, I also do supplemental education and teach relaxation exercises at prenatals. Prenatals are a different combination of elements for each family. I focus on figuring out what everyone's individual needs are.

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emmabella

· #7 · Apr 20, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovesprout
"Needs" is a strong word IMHO. I would say everyone can benefit from having a caring and supportive/doula assistant available. I did not have a doula for either of my births. But I did have a brilliant staff at the freestanding birth centers I birthed at. I some ways my husband was my doula at both.

Duly noted, how about: Everyone deserves professional, knowledgable, kind labor support.

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Lizzo

· #8 · Apr 20, 2006

1-How much did you pay, and what services were included? (or if you are a doula, how much do you charge?)
My doula charged me $650. I personally felt this was unfair and that I didn't really get what I could have.She was also a hynobirthing teacher. As a doula I have yet to charge, however I will with my next client. I am going to be starting at $400-450. I will do 3 prenatal appts, I'm on call from 36 weeks untill she delivers, which is a large part of what doulas charge b/c they cannot travel, have more than a glass of wine b/c the client may call at any time. I then attend the birth, from the time she wants me there untill I leave (after about an hour postaprtum, I like to see breastfeeding happen before I go). I provide continuous support, plus the goodies from my birth bag (which I really only use essential oils and massage oil, but still...) and then a post partum follow up. I usually bring the family a meal that can easily be freezed.

2-Is it worth it to have a doula if you are already seeing a midwife who you are comfortable with and shares your birthing philosophy?
That is a kind of contraversial question. Some doulas say no, some midwives say no and visa versa. I think why not? I think that if you want one more perosn at your birth, why not? It's really your choice. It's about you.

Congrats!!! I wish you a beautiful birth!

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dynamicdoula

· #9 · Apr 20, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by poetesss
1-How much did you pay, and what services were included? (or if you are a doula, how much do you charge?)

I live about an hour away from Seattle (location really affects rates), and I charge a sliding scale from $350-$700. I never turn away a client because she can't pay, I'm 100% negotiable. I've worked in trade for use of birth photos, taken payments and worked for free.

Services provided - check out my site!

I tell women to interview all doulas they are interested in and then negotiate rates- don't ignore an even expensive doula just because of price, you can always work something out!

Quote:

2-Is it worth it to have a doula if you are already seeing a midwife who you are comfortable with and shares your birthing philosophy? I am seeing a midwife but am considering a doula to be a hypnosis coach during the pg and during labor. I can induce a hypnotic trance in myself but I'm really out of practice and do well when someone else is guiding me. Otherwise I take forever to "go under." Also I'd like someone there to administer homeopathic remedies (don't trust dh to do it...thinks i'm "weird" anyway for getting into the hypnosis and homeopathy in the first place....sigh...) Also if I need a hospital transfer I'd like someone there to fight like hell for what I want (cause I know dh will be like, "doctor knows best")

It depends on waht you want. Midwives do some labor support but they aren't there solely for that- most aren't going to drop a doppler to press your hips during a major contraction, if you know what I mean. A doula can't administer any remedies unless she's trained- it's out of our scope. A doula also can not speak on your behalf- she has no legal right to do so and could be removed from the labor room if she does it. I *never* speak up for my clients, but I will work with them ahead of time on this. For example we'll play out this scenario at home before the birth. Say mom absolutely does not want an episiotomy, so we talk through how to 'guard' her perineum. Dad is watching his baby coming close to being born but I am watching the doctor and when I see that we're approaching episiotomy-time, I say, "Dad, what was it mom said about episiotomy, didn't she have a question about that?" And as soon as I say that, dad says, "WE DON'T WANT THAT." It opens the dialogue right there so that mom and dad can speak for themselves, and I have helped to facilitate it but while remaining in the boundaries of my job. I can't stand there and say, "She does not want to be cut!" I have *no legal right* to speak for her.

Quote:

I also don't want to get ripped off by an over expensive doula!

What would be getting 'ripped off'? And what do you consider 'over expensive'? I feel strongly that if you meet the doula you feel connected to that everything else will work out. One way to avoid spending a lot of money on a crappy doula (

) is to check with her certifying organization (if she's certified, not all doulas are, including me) and see if there are any grievances, and to get referral names from her. Talk to her about her philosophy about birth and listen for red flags. What does she consider outside of her scope of practice? There are plenty of doulas who are midwife-wannabes, doing a lot of diagnostic stuff like vag exams or heart tones that they aren't trained for- but then there are also midwive assistants who are practicing as doulas who *are* trained to do those things- so figure out where your comfort level is.

Quote:

Oh, and if someone has a recommendation for a doula in the Tampa Bay area who is familiar with hypnobirthing, please pass it on!

If you PM me with your contact info I can put the word out to the doula network for you!

Quote:

((and btw, to all the midwives and doulas out there, you rock! Keep doing what you are doing, the women of the world need you!!))

Thank you!!

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doula and mom

· #10 · Apr 20, 2006

poetesss said:
1-How much did you pay, and what services were included? (or if you are a doula, how much do you charge?)
At my first labor (twins) I had a very knowledgable friend from church, who did not charge me. She didn't call herself a doula, she was just there to support me and help me have the labor I wanted -- as natural as possible, considering I was being induced due to complications from Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome. My second labor, my doula charged me $600 for her services AND her CBE class -- she is a Birthing From Within mentor. That is about the going rate for a big city and a doula who has attended many births. Personally, I am in a small town and if I charged $500 I would never have a client. I charge a $100 "commitment" fee, and then $25/hour for the first 16 hours of labor, and no further charge after that. I also give military discounts, and I offer payment plans and a sliding scale if a client can't afford me.

2-Is it worth it to have a doula if you are already seeing a midwife who you are comfortable with and shares your birthing philosophy?
If you're having a hospital or birth center birth, I say YES, and here's why. Hospital medwives also have a lot of other clinical tasks and other clients while you are there, so if it's a busy day, she may not be able to spend much time with you. A doula will be with you the entire time. I am not familiar (unfortunately) with homebirth. If you don't call the midwife until your labor is really going, then yes I'd want a doula there for early labor support and to stay the entire time.

I am seeing a midwife but am considering a doula to be a hypnosis coach during the pg and during labor. I can induce a hypnotic trance in myself but I'm really out of practice and do well when someone else is guiding me. Otherwise I take forever to "go under." Also I'd like someone there to administer homeopathic remedies (don't trust dh to do it...thinks i'm "weird" anyway for getting into the hypnosis and homeopathy in the first place....sigh...) Also if I need a hospital transfer I'd like someone there to fight like hell for what I want (cause I know dh will be like, "doctor knows best")
Just look at various websites for finding a doula (ALACE, DONA, CBI, etc) and make sure she does whatever you want her to do. I know nothing about hypnobirthing so I would not be the doula for you.

I also don't want to get ripped off by an over expensive doula!
Absolutely. My labor was only about 5 hours, so I paid around $100/hour, but my doula was worth it. I do prefer to charge by the hour, only because I don't think someone should pay me the same amount for a 4 hour labor versus an 18 hour labor, kwim?

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poetesss

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 21, 2006

Thanks so much for the feedback, it really helps.

Quote:

A doula can't administer any remedies unless she's trained- it's out of our scope. A doula also can not speak on your behalf- she has no legal right to do so and could be removed from the labor room if she does it.

I was completely unaware of this. I guess my perception was that a doula could also act as an advocate for you in the hospital. I felt like I needed that in case my dh tried to pressure me into accepting a medical procedure because of the tension that would be involved in an emergency transfer. I just have a bad history of letting docs just do what they want without being aggressive enough (even though my mom who is a doc herself always raised us to "say NO" to docs). So if I understand it correctly then the doula's appropriate role would be to coach *me* into standing up for myself? Hmmm, actually, that's a much more rational way of thinking about it and I wonder why I didn't realize this in the first place.

That's good to hear too because it will reassure dh who is hesitant to hire a doula who will antagonize hospital staff.

By the way, I got an excellent rate from a doula who I've heard raves about and who also knows my midwife very well. She's offering at least 2 prenatal and 2 postnatal in-home visits (including lactation consulting), 12 hrs of hypnobirthing instruction, use of a birth ball at the end of pg and in labor, phone calls after each prenatal visit, and in-home support services *before* even entering the birth center (as they want you at 4-5 cm dilation, not before).... the price: $275!!! I arranged a 3-way barter with her and another doula. I'll be making the other doula a new brochure and that doula will provide my doula with house cleaning. Without barter the price would have been $650. I think she gave me the better end of the bargain.

I'm just waiting till I'm firmly in the second tri before committing myself and starting off with her. Hoping this baby will stick around!

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poetesss

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 21, 2006

oh yeah, this all brought to mind another question... the doula I interviewed has training in reiki (sp?)...do any of you other midwives/doulas use this and how does it help in pregnancy/labor?

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