What is the average charge for doula services? I have heard from $400 all the way up to $1000 but wasn't sure how to go about it. I live in WV so our demographics are on the lower income side.

I believe it depend on what others are charging in your area and how much experience you have!!!

I charge case by case. I evaluate gas prices in correlation with home location, hospital location, and the vehicle I am driving. I consider how many trips I PLAN on making, and what they are specifically looking for. I also offer Placenta Encapsulation, and make it a package deal so they only have to pay about $100, rather than my regular $250 for the encapsulation. There are a lot of elements to consider, also if their due date is within a month of working, I be sure to add in possible lost income from my primary work source.

Yup, it really depends on what the other doulas in your area are charging. Give them a call or email and find out what the range id for your location. Remember that the other doulas are not your competition, but should be your support network

I am part of a doula collective in my city, and we all agree to charge the same fee (currently $700), but many of us use a sliding scale for families that can't afford the full price.

My doula was getting her certification when we got her for the birth of my third daughter and she charged $250, which was half her normal fee. This was in Dothan, AL. Just north of Panama City. Very low income and rural. I'm in Jackson, TN. Also somewhat lower income and very rural middle of West TN. So, I'm doing the same thing for all that I'm offering. $250 in training right now - $500 fully certified. Of course it depends on how much you are offering. Here is a list of my services. Tell me what you all think!

AT LEAST 4 Face-to-face consultations- 1 to get an idea of what your wants and needs are in a labor doula and for you to get to know me; AND 3 to work on your birth plan and your labor exercises and to finalize any last minute requests.
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Unlimited Phone consultations both before and after the baby is born!
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1 Prenatal visit near the end of your pregnancy to discuss and reaffirm your birth plan and wishes for this labor and delivery. And to get to know your OB! Since we will be working together for you and your new family!
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FULL LABOR SUPPORT- meeting you at your house or at the hospital, depending upon mileage/timing and prior agreement in contract. Full support includes the use of my birth ball and labor rope, small massagers, aromatherapy, relaxing music, and massage along with encouragement and full support of your birth plan to your medical professionals-lasting up to 1 hour after the birth.
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1 Postnatal visit to evaluate how everything went and to see how you are all doing after returning home from the hospital!
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Written Birth Account presented on card-stock paper, suitable for framing or scrap-booking with a photo page of up to 6 standard quality photos of Labor & Delivery (If Desired) and digital CD with photos and birth account in multiple document formats-MSWord/MSPowerPoint/Jpeg.
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Well, what do you think?

The doulas here all charge about the same with the exception of one. She is the most established in town and charges double what everyone else does. I agree with the others to first look at what your fellow local doulas are charging.

DoulaGinny: Wow. That's a lot of visits. I like the idea of putting the birth story on card stock.

My fee is $1100 but I have a very wide demographic in regard to my clientele since I live in NYC. I have doula friends that charge anywhere from $300 for the less experienced ones and over $2000 for the ones who are CBE's and have loads of experience. So technically I fall at about the median

It's really important to our profession that you don't undercut other doulas in your community. If you charge too little won't last long and it makes other doulas look bad. Eventually there may not be any doulas in your community because the work was devalued and that would be a disservice to future birthing women.

OP, I would suggest moving at least one of those prenatal visit to the postpartum period. Mamas frequently need so much support in the postpartum with issues ranging from breastfeeding problems to questions about newborn care, I think your time would be better spent there. I think most doulas do 2 visits prenatally. I find that two visits of 2-3 hours each, discussing what normal labor looks like, benefits/risks of prenatal, birth and postpartum routines and interventions, breastfeeding, and infant care end up with a pretty comfortable relationship. You might also find that expectant mamas and dads don't have the time to do at least four visits prenatally, especially if they work. There are so many things that are happening at the end of pregnancy in terms of visits with care providers, getting their home ready, childbirth classes, etc, etc that they might just not have the time. Just a few things to think about...

Wow, that's the most visits I've ever heard of anyone offering! Are you offering more than 2 because you're doing childbirth education as well? Because if your clients are already taking a class, it could maybe save you one of those visits.

I know some doulas here offer to attend a prenatal OB/midwife appointment as an option if the client feels it's important, but after I attended one, I felt it was pointless and wouldn't offer that routinely again. Besides taking a lot of time (45 min just in the waiting area, and I was told sometimes it's 1.5 hrs!) the midwife was totally focused on my client and getting the appointment stuff done, and really had nothing to say to me besides, 'Oh hi'. A different midwife was on call at the time of the birth anyway since there were 5 in rotation. It still went great, as she assumed the best about me and had no preconceived notions!