PP Doula Fees

fearlessbirth · 01-13-2006, 12:41 PM

Does anyone know how much pp doulas generally charge? I am just curious. I hope to get cert in this after my labor doula. I would LOVE to make my whole living off being a 'round the clock doula wonder woman! Lol (at least until I'm a midwife.)

DL · 01-13-2006, 01:06 PM

I'm not a Pp doula, but I'm assuming that it is much like being a Labor/Birth Doula in that fees can greatly depend upon where you live (the general medium income of those areas). Here in Central Ohio, I think I've seen $15-$25/hr. for most Pp doulas. Some also will agree to use a Sliding Fee Scale for those who are lower income, but some do only stick with the fee on the higher end. I would suggest trying to find some websites for doulas close to your area and see what they are charging their clients.

Need2read · 01-13-2006, 01:31 PM

I am also planning to do the same thing. I am just unsure of how I will do this once I am in midwifery school (then I will be on call as a midwife...) It is done usually by hours and I have found that most women do visits in 2-5 hour visits at a time. I have also seen that the hourly rate for an overnight stay is more costly.

I would check around the web for postpartum doulas and their hourly fees as Lori suggested.

Something I did the other day to help me figure out my own fee system for being a Birth doula (once I am done with my certification births) is: I got a piece of paper and broke down exactly what being a Doula would cost me

Gas
Parking
continued education
Time away from family
possible advertising
anything in my birth bag
Books
Also think about the need for doulas in your area

Think about how much you are spending, how many clients you may get in a 1 year span, and think about if you are going to be making a profit, just breaking even, etc. Is this going to be a career in which you have another job to actually support your family or is this soley what will be supporting you.

Take the time to do this as a postpartum doula. And also as a labor doula...I have found that it makes me see how much my services are worth, and my time.

fearlessbirth · 01-13-2006, 01:47 PM

That's a great idea Cortney. I really need to do that esp since I am eager to spend lots of fun doula things and then volunteer my services. Lol

Need2read · 01-13-2006, 02:24 PM

Yes, I know exactly what you mean, and I probably will do all that fun stuff when I have the financial means and a steady group of clients.

PostDoula · 01-13-2006, 11:06 PM

Hi--
I'm a Certified Postpartum Doula in New Jersey. Rates really vary from area to area and depending on the cost of living, etc. I offer a Sliding Scale, usually charging $25-18 an hour. (Although, currently, I'm working with a young couple who can only afford to pay $8-10 an hour.)
In my area of NJ, though, I know some Postpartum Doulas charge as much as $35 an hour.
If I can offer any additional info. or answer any questions, please feel free to contact me!
Best Wishes!
Beth Salerno, CPD
www.doula-care.com

heathenmamaof5 · 01-15-2006, 11:04 AM

Around here (Sacramento) it seems to be about $25 an hour. I'll probably do sliding scale. I'm certifying through Dona and am also planning on applying to midwifery school in the fall.

Jill

AussieDoula · 06-13-2006, 11:38 PM

I'm an uncertified Postpartum Doula, and the only one for miles.
I charge $20 an hour (minimum of 3 hours a day, 2 visits a week). Overnight stays are extra. I am willing to work with mamas to lower those fees, but have to take gas charges into consideration.
In my small town, $20 an hour may seem like a lot, but gas is expensive AND my mamas get a LOT of freebies that cost me $$ to attain.
I don't charge extra for infant & mama massage (or the odd Daddy foot/shoulder massage), but others Doulas do.
I think the national average is at $20 an hour, although some Doulas charge more/less/nothing.

sacredma · 06-22-2006, 09:00 PM

i charge $25 per hour and $30 if i have to go to another county or what i consider far!
i usually work 4 hours a day for the first week and then after that, it can be 3-4 hour per day, sometimes a few days a week. i sometimes for for a few months like that.
i will only work 2 hours if the client lives very close to my house, like within 10 minutes. i have offered a sliding scale of $20 per hour.
i also offer gift certificates, you will be amazed at how many friends and relatives would like to buy some hours to help out a new mom.
thanks,
mavis
www.gentlecaredoulaservice.com

AussieDoula · 06-22-2006, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sacredma

i also offer gift certificates, you will be amazed at how many friends and relatives would like to buy some hours to help out a new mom.

I also offer gift certificates. It's proved to be a popular option.
I have even had family out of state buy time for my mamas through my website!

motherstouchdoula · 06-22-2006, 11:29 PM

I charge $16 to $20 an hour..I wanted to do something like: 3 days for 3 hrs @ $200.00, but after talking to one of the other ppd she said it would be better if I went with the per hr..I am still unsure..
and the gift Certificates is a wonderful Idea..

PostDoula · 06-22-2006, 11:34 PM

Mavis & AussieDoula,
How do you promote your gift certificates? I advertise this on my website, but haven't had much interest in it....Maybe I'm not presenting it properly...
Thanks!

AussieDoula · 06-23-2006, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PostDoula

Mavis & AussieDoula,
How do you promote your gift certificates? I advertise this on my website, but haven't had much interest in it... Maybe I'm not presenting it properly...
Thanks!

I include information about gift certificates on my brochures. If your brochure is already full, making a short statement like "gift certificates available" may be enough

.

My brochures, business cards, and email signature include my web address (well, they did until I took my website down for construction) which is how I was able to get people there and where family members have seen the option for gift certificates.

I also offer a gift certificate to relevent events to raffle off/use as part of a prize package. I have even had a Lactation Consultant buy a gift certificate once for one of the mamas she was seeing.

Sometimes I give out free gift certificates for an extra hour at no additional charge, which has proven to be another popular option (who doesn't love free help?!).

Do you advertise the availability of gift certificates anywhere other than your website? Also, do you have a picture of the gift certificate on the website? Sometimes people are drawn to buy things when they see the actual "product", lol. Just make sure you put "SAMPLE" through the picture, so there won't be any downloading and printing, hehe...

Do you teach/attend any childbirth classes or other places where mamas go? Bring a sample and include it in any talks you give about your services. Like I said, sometimes people are more apt to purchase things they have touched and seen (lol, sales secrets 101).

I think even with excellent marketing, if there just isn't the demand for something, even the best ideas can fall flat sometimes.

AussieDoula · 06-23-2006, 12:59 AM

Okay, so I took a look at your website, PostDoula, and I think you are wording your gift section extremely well. However...
I noticed that when you go to your site's home page, the link for gift certificates is wayyyy down the bottom in the directory. A lot of people may be missing the information because they don't scroll down far enough.
Try putting your directory at the top (like you have on the other pages), and perhaps changing the link title from simply "gift" to "Gift Packages/Certificates" so that there is no confusion.
Hopefully that'll work better for you! I love the packages you have!

sacredma · 06-23-2006, 08:38 AM

i have the gift certificate mentioned on my website and brochures.
i mention it to families when they interview me as another way to get more hours for them. sometimes they cant afford it, but they will go to their familes and tell them.

as far as getting paid per hour or day, i think the per hour option works better. i used to have a day fee but the xtra gas money is also calculated into the hourly wage.
mavis