The Cost of Doula Support: What You're Paying For
Hiring a doula is a significant investment, and it's understandable why some families hesitate. This post isn’t about the many benefits of doula support but rather a breakdown of where the costs come from and what you receive in return.
Ongoing Support Throughout Pregnancy
From the time you hire me, you have unlimited access to me via text, email, and phone. These conversations often cover:
Managing pregnancy symptoms
Answering general questions
Labour preparation
Helping you plan for midwife or OB visits
Early labour support
Emotional and postpartum guidance
These check-ins may seem small, but they require time, experience, and availability—often outside of typical working hours.
Prenatal and Postpartum Visits
I provide in-depth visits before birth to help you plan and prepare, and again after birth to ensure a smooth transition into postpartum. These sessions are tailored to your needs and give you hands-on support before and after your baby arrives.
Being On Call 24/7
For four weeks surrounding your due date, I am on call at all times. This means:
My phone is always on and nearby
I have a plan in place to leave immediately and meet you within an hour
I arrange and pay for last-minute childcare, even in the middle of the night
This level of commitment ensures that when you need me, I can be there.
Labour and Birth Support
The time I spend at a birth varies greatly, from six hours to over thirty. During that time, I provide hands-on physical and emotional support, drawing on both my RN background and years of doula experience. This includes:
Physical support, such as counterpressure and positioning guidance
Emotional reassurance for both you and your partner
Providing food, drinks, and small comforts to keep you going
Labour is unpredictable, physically demanding, and requires full focus. It’s not uncommon for me to be on my feet for hours without a break, adapting to the changing needs of each birth.
Travel, Parking, and Business Costs
Each home visit and birth comes with travel expenses, including fuel, mileage, and parking. Beyond that, there are the standard costs of running a business:
Software, internet, and phone
Continued education and training
Birth supplies and comfort tools
Why I Do This Work
As an RN, I could work structured hours with predictable pay and scheduled breaks. But I choose to work as a doula because I believe every family deserves continuous, personalized support during one of the most important moments of their lives.
When you hire me as your doula, you are investing in dedicated, hands-on care. My goal is to make sure you feel prepared, supported, and confident—because birth matters, and so does the care you receive.