I'm wondering what Canadian doulas charge for postpartum services? How long have you been doing this work? What part of the country are you in? Is that a city, town or rural area? How do you find this business? Any advice on getting off to a good start?

I'm just getting started as a labour and postpartum doula. I live in a rural area about a 1/2 hour from the city of Ottawa. I have two toddlers at home, so will have to rely on a sitter a lot of the time. One is still breastfeeding, so she'll come with me when possible (a living demo doll!). I believe in being fairly hands-off with the babies and helping the moms get comfortable with their new duties. I'm in the process of getting certified with CAPPA Canada and I read there that the average rate is $25/hr. Just wanted to get a reality check on that by asking you fine ladies...

Thanks,
Gina
Mountain, ON Canada

I don't have a clue. I am rural Sask/Ab border. I would never get anywhere near $25/hr.
I have only done post partum once. For a mom with twins, and I think I charged $12.00 hr. I was a glorified babysitter though.

Michele

Ok, so here from the Big City (Toronto) the rate for PPDoula work is 20/hr day and 25/hr nights. The best way to get work is to market, market, market! Also join Canadian Doulas Association (good mentioning it, prez!! lol) or DoulaCARE. Make up some brochures, do an info day, talk to midwives and doctors.

You have the experience and I believe that you can ask whatever you want, you should however check within the community and surrounding area so that you don't price yourself out of the market. We all want to make money at a job we love, but we are also providing a service and we don't want people to think that they cannot afford something they feel is important. I think that if you do some leg work you will see results. Best of luck.

Hi,
In this area (London ON) it is about $20hr and more for nights. Hope that helps.

Shawna

I am in Vancouver, and I charge $20 an hour generally. However, when I lived in Kelowna I had one job and had to negotiate for $10 an hour, and on the birthroots website based in Winnipeg they pay their pp doulas $9, I think. You can charge whatever you want, but I think in an urban centre it is easier to charge (and get) more.

I used to feel like I was overcharging to basically be a "glorified babysitter", but I have had clients reassure me that that is not the case. It is not easy to find someone who is mature, reliable, easy to have around, knowlegable, flexible, good both with taking direction and taking initiative... Currently I am helping a mom with her tiny little twins overnight. It seems so natural and basic to me, but when I think about it it is probably not that easy to find someone with the skills and experience I have, that you are comfortable having in your house and leaving your precious bundles with while you sleep...

I'm not sure if this is helpful to you. Maybe talk to some midwives, ask them what they think. What are the going nanny rates in your area, you can charge a few more bucks per hour than that.

Jill
www.doulajill.com (http://www.doulajill.com)

I live in Dartmouth NS and I charge $20 for postpartum work.