Having a career that is centered around helping and supporting other women during their birthing experience is exciting and exhilarating. And doulas get to do it every day. But before you jump in with both feet, you may have some questions about training, certification, what a doula salary looks like, what a typical month looks like, how many hours doulas work, and how to have a successful doula career.
How Many Births Do You Attend Each Month For A Good Doula Salary?
The number of births you attend every month depends on you and how many clients you take on. It is important to remember that every client you take on requires a lot of dedicated time, including prenatal visits, the birth itself, and post-natal visits.
The more time you are able to spend with each client prior to birth the more they will feel comfortable around you and trust your judgment. When first starting out as a doula, it is recommended that you start with only one birth per month, as each birth will vary in length.
Some births can be quick and straightforward, while others are long, and physically and emotionally draining. Starting with only one birth will give you a good indication of how a doula career will fit your lifestyle.
Also, when first starting out, doula work can take a lot out of you both physically and emotionally. So, it is good to start slow and work your way up. Industry standard dictates that you can take up to 6 clients per month, with a great doula network to provide back up in the case that you have two clients in labor at the same time.
How Much Can You Expect to Earn Per Birth Towards A Doula Salary?
Because your doula business is your own, you can set your prices based on the services you offer. Most doulas offer different packages to accommodate different clients’ budgets and needs. Additionally, the cost can be determined by the different qualifications each doula has, such as massage, nursing, photography, or childbirth education.
The cost of a doula can vary significantly based on your location, experience and market demand. Birth doulas often charge around $400-1200 per birth. During your training, take time to explore the doula market and average fees in your area.
An ideal birth package should include a minimum of two prenatal visits, the birth, and one post-natal visit. You can customize packages as some clients will want less contact, and others will want more. Extra post-natal visits can be beneficial, as many new parents may need extra support following birth.
Most new parents don’t realize how important postpartum support can be until after the baby arrives. Consider charging an hourly rate for additional post-natal visits instead of adding them to your birth packages.
Ultimately, the rates you can charge as a doula will depend on your experience level, location considerations, demand considerations, and other qualifications you have.
Is It Okay To Offer Free Births?
It can be hard to turn your passion into a career. At times, we may feel called to be a doula and feel conflicted about charging a reasonable fee.
To have a sustainable doula practice, a good doula salary, it’s ideal to charge a fee in nearly all cases. Some doulas offer sliding scales or discounts during their training period. Others offer pro bono services but only until they complete their certification.
How Do I Get Started And Build A Good Doula Salary?
Once you have decided that a doula career is a good fit for you, start by browsing our doula courses to determine which is right for you. The more opportunities you have to gain hands-on experience, the more confidence you’ll have and the more likely you’ll be to have a successful and rewarding doula salary and career. At International Doula Institute, we offer quality doula training online that allows women to train at their own pace. If you are interested in learning more about the International Doula Institute program, check out internationaldoulainstitute.com today!
Author: Aliza Juliette Bancoff
Aliza Juliette Bancoff is a well-known doula and doula trainer who has been providing doula services to families for over a decade. She is the founder of Main Line Doulas, a doula group providing doula support in the great Philadelphia area for the last decade, the International Doula Institute, which provides online doula training and lactation training and certification programs and the International Breastfeeding Institute which provides lactation training and certification. She is the co-founder of United Birth, a company devoted to increasing access to doulas across the country to make the perinatal time safer both physically and emotionally. “Every birthing person deserves access to quality doula support. And we are working to make that a reality across the country. The work we are doing to get doulas to every birthing person will decrease the black infant and maternal mortality rate significantly by 2030.” Says Bancoff. Aliza is known for her compassionate and empowering approach to doula work, and she has been featured in numerous media outlets, including United Nations Maternal Health Report, Parent Magazine, CafeMom, theBump and many more. Aliza's journey into doula work began when she gave birth to her first child and felt a strong calling...