Doula Support - What would you pay?

[BreithCuidiu]

I'm just asking because there seem to be threads here fairly frequently regarding what Doulas charge. So what would you pay?

For a Trainee? -

For an Experienced Doula? -

For a highly Experienced Doula with lots of resources and skills? -

[meggs11]

Trainee - nothing or a thank you gift from the parents for a job well done is a lovely gesture, I would just appreciate a lovely letter to put into a portfolio or if a trainee has to charge a small amount to cover essential costs.

The experiece gained by these generous couples really is thanks and payment enough.

Experienced - Depends how experienced???? anything from $400 - $800

Highly experienced - $600 - $1000

It depends on demand and how many other doulas are available in the area, you need to be competitively priced.

I also think it is great if the doula can be flexible with mums to be in financial stress, which I know many are.

The industry needs regulating so that there is a basic knowledge requirement, scheduled fees, code of ethics etc. Then maybe health funds and large peak bodies would take more notice?

But that is just my opinion...What do you think?

Meagan

[~Emmylou~]

I've just finished a four day birth - what I got paid worked out to about $5 bucks an hour probably LOL.

Lucky I love what I do :)

[Lila]

For a Trainee? -
not much, probably covering costs and a good letter for portfolio as mentioned before

For an Experienced Doula? -
up to $800.-

For a highly Experienced Doula with lots of resources and skills?
up to $2000.-


Yes, we do need regulations. And all doulas should have a certification.
Most of us do have and go through the trouble of getting proper educations and our certificates before we call ourselves full doulas.
But, there are too many others out there, because in the end everyone can call themselves doula.....:(

[annsam]

I've just finished a four day birth - what I got paid worked out to about $5 bucks an hour probably LOL.

Lucky I love what I do :)

I think one of my last ones worked out somewhere the same lol.



Yes, we do need regulations. And all doulas should have a certification.
Most of us do have and go through the trouble of getting proper educations and our certificates before we call ourselves full doulas.
But, there are too many others out there, because in the end everyone can call themselves doula.....:(
here here! I have recently heard a couple of horror stories around unqualified doulas.:thumbsdown:

[BreithCuidiu]

I think one of my last ones worked out somewhere the same lol.


here here! I have recently heard a couple of horror stories around unqualified doulas.:thumbsdown:

Yes I have worked for similar pay. Around $3 an hour was my worst.

In terms of unqualified horror stories, what do you mean? Trainees? Or Doulas who are not qualified? The Doula qualification unfortunately isn't worth the paper its on. The courses however are pretty amazing (one Sydney based course provider is just fantastic and I would recommend them to anyone). I've heard horror stories about pretty much all types of Doulas, from trainees to the very experienced ones. I think its the same with anyone who works with mothers during pregnancy. You're only ever going to hear the bad stuff. For example, who hasn't heard something nasty said about midwives/OBs/hospitals/GPs. Pretty common.

[~Emmylou~]

In terms of unqualified horror stories, what do you mean? Trainees? Or Doulas who are not qualified? The Doula qualification unfortunately isn't worth the paper its on. The courses however are pretty amazing (one Sydney based course provider is just fantastic and I would recommend them to anyone). I've heard horror stories about pretty much all types of Doulas, from trainees to the very experienced ones. I think its the same with anyone who works with mothers during pregnancy. You're only ever going to hear the bad stuff. For example, who hasn't heard something nasty said about midwives/OBs/hospitals/GPs. Pretty common.

I do agree with you there, but I tend to think that basic certification at the very least is a good idea. For mums, its an assurance that the doula they're working with has certain basic skills and an understanding of the role.

I just heard today a story from a mother on another board who was completely put off doulas because the one she met with recently berated her for birthing in hospital and spent their whole meeting trying to talk her into a homebirth. Whether or not that's what actually happened, that's what the woman came away feeling and that's not on. When I trained the philosophy was that you put the options out there in an objective, factual way and that's ALL. It is up to the woman to decide from there. I hear stories similar to this time to time and just wonder if a bit more consistency in the training might help minimise it a bit. Of course you'll still have people that like to put themselves outside the square a bit. The other issue is doulas that don't know how to conduct themselves professionally in a hospital environment - and make it so bl00dy hard for the mothers and doulas who come after them because they've got everyone's backs up. Again, a training issue? But that's another rant lol.

Anyway totally OT here...just some random thoughts.

[V8]

For a Trainee? - Nothing - be good for their experience and training.

For an Experienced Doula? - $400 - $800 depending on experience.

For a highly Experienced Doula with lots of resources and skills? - up to $2000, ideally around $1000 - $1500

[meggs11]

I do agree with you there, but I tend to think that basic certification at the very least is a good idea. For mums, its an assurance that the doula they're working with has certain basic skills and an understanding of the role.

I just heard today a story from a mother on another board who was completely put off doulas because the one she met with recently berated her for birthing in hospital and spent their whole meeting trying to talk her into a homebirth. Whether or not that's what actually happened, that's what the woman came away feeling and that's not on. When I trained the philosophy was that you put the options out there in an objective, factual way and that's ALL. It is up to the woman to decide from there. I hear stories similar to this time to time and just wonder if a bit more consistency in the training might help minimise it a bit. Of course you'll still have people that like to put themselves outside the square a bit. The other issue is doulas that don't know how to conduct themselves professionally in a hospital environment - and make it so bl00dy hard for the mothers and doulas who come after them because they've got everyone's backs up. Again, a training issue? But that's another rant lol.

Anyway totally OT here...just some random thoughts.

This is why the doula industry needs some regulation.

Anyone can complete the course (and let's face it, some of them are very basic and you could become a doula in a day if you really wanted to), the courses are not Accredited courses so they are not recognised training in Australia, which is a shame because then there has to be a minimum understanding, education and training.

I think it is mostly down to the person who is supporting the birth, if you have it you have it, if you don't you don't.

As for the doula you were talking about, she sounds like she has no idea, I thought the whole idea was to support the woman, no matter her decision, as long as it is an informed one, you cannot make your own opinions or beliefs a part of it:thumbsdown:

I totally agree that some doulas do make it very hard for others to come after them, if you want to be treated as a profession then you need to act like one. I would never trust my birth support person if they made wide generalised sweeping statements about other professionals that are also involved in the care of the pregnant mum, eg Midwives/OBGYN's etc etc, unfortunately some doulas have questionable attitudes to these other people, sure there are bad professionals like there are bad doulas, but it is careless and dangerous to tar the whole profession with the same brush. It also shows a HUGE lack of for the whole team

Most Doula's have the right idea and have their hearts in the right place, there are just those 'few' like in all 'groups' of people who give it a bad name.

Well, there is my little rant:laughing:

Meagan

[~Emmylou~]

Back to the topic... :laughing:

Are you talking about what you would pay just for labour support only - or for normal doula services (ie. antenatal consults, phone support, resource loan, birth support and postnatal assistance).

Because looking at some of the responses here....there's no way I could provide the service I do for $400. Most of my clients involve 15-20 hours of face-to-face/email and phone contact before and after the birth - and that doesn't include the actual labour or the behind the scenes stuff I do for them individually.

I guess I'm kind of wondering what people expect to get for that sort of money - labour only or full support?

Depends on the state you're in too I guess, Vic doulas charge much lower fees than QLD for example.

[BreithCuidiu]

I personally think that the price a Doula puts on her services reflects how she feels about her experience, her work and the profession.

[eep]

I agree Qld seem to be the highest in fees from what Ive seen.

If I was looking I would expect to pay

students should be free or minimal fee to cover costs

Newly qualified from a couple of hundred to $450ish

Qualified with variety of births behind them from $600 - $1000

Extremely experienced $1000 - $2000

But experience to me isnt important, yes its up there but My choice would be on what they are like and how I feel when I am around them.

[AM]

I've had a trainee who I didn't pay, I did give her a copy of "Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering" though ;)

And I am having a VERY experienced doula at my birth next year, I am paying $1200 which I am completely happy with.

[meggs11]

It will be a great day when at least, private helath cover funds doulas, even better if medicare covered some of it.

It is not affordable to a lot of people to even contemplate having a doula, which is an absolute shame, and like some of you have said, at the end sometimes you only come out earning $5 hour, who works for that?

It is the love of it that makes you go back for more.:D

Bring on the professional groups and all the hard work that those special people put in to having it become a recognised profession.

Many years ago, nurses were considered along the same vein as prostitutes, and even they have professional registration these days!!!:yes:(I mean the prostitutes)


As the demand for doulas increase there will be some HUGE changes
Meagan

[4babycinos]

I personally think that the price a Doula puts on her services reflects how she feels about her experience, her work and the profession.

:iagree:

[annsam]

It is not affordable to a lot of people to even contemplate having a doula, which is an absolute shame, and like some of you have said, at the end sometimes you only come out earning $5 hour, who works for that?

They do have the option of students who need the experience so there are ways to get the support and not pay for the experience.



In terms of unqualified horror stories, what do you mean? Trainees? Or Doulas who are not qualified?
I have heard a couple of stories lately about women (1 in particular) who are not qualified doulas i.e. done no training at all. This woman in particular had skills in a natural therapy so promoted herself as a doula for pregnant clients. The details are pretty bad. I agree the cert isn't worth the paper its written on but the courses are.