How much?

[LizzieLou]

I am new to considering the benefits of having a doula and am enjoying reading the info in this thread.

What I am curious to know is what is the average someone would pay for doula services that see you through the birth of your child? I can't even imagine what doula's charge so just a rough estimate would be great!

Thanks

[stumpysmum]

Hi,

I have hired a doula and am paying $500. She has actually been supporting me since December when I was hideously ill with morning (read, all day every day) sickness and had myself convinced that I couldn't go through with the pregnancy. I'd be the first to say that it's been $500 well spent just for the emotional support she has given DH and I.

A

[annsam]

Students are generally free - you just cover their costs for parking and such.
Qualified doulas range from about $400 - $1000 depending on where you live, their qualifications and experience and what your expectations of them are before and after labour (some people want more home help or education than others).

Best of luck finding your doula.

[LizzieLou]

Thanks for the quick reply ladies!

I am going private with an Ob but was wondering whether I should have looked into other alternatives such as a doula. It's tricky when its your first and you don't know your options upfront.

I feel confident going private but i also believe there may be many positives to having a doula as well. I love the idea of approaching birth as naturally as possible and may even look into a water birth when thinking of bub no 2.

Please feel free to share any other experiences. I would also love to hear from any Perth based doulas.

[shed]

If you are going private and have an OB your chances of having a caesarean and other medical intervention are increased (people don't seem to realise this and view these things as the better alternative when if fact, the opposite would surely be true to most women). The statistics are there for all to see.

Having a doula decreases the intervention, so it will be a good investment to hire a doula. My birth would have been completely different without my lovely doula who I will love until the day I die.

Anyway, back to what you actually asked, the price is around $400-$600 and its worth every penny and probably more.

I wish you all the luck in the world.

[annsam]

Hi LizzieLou,

If going private - thats when a doula comes most in handy I believe! Not necessarily because all Obs are high intervention as more and more are becoming less so nowdays and you wouldn't be going with someone you dont trust (but we have to remember, they are trained surgeons specialising in high risk births) but more because you generally dont have your appts at the hospital so when in labour, it is an unfamiliar place, your midwives are all strangers to you and you never know who you will get and what their beliefs are and because it is private, they are generally happier to apply intervention because you're paying for a service but intervention leads to more intervention and that often leads to disaster......if that makes any sense?

A doula is useful in any setting but if planning any hospital birth, they are the familiar and friendly face of an experienced labour support person in a situation that is completely foreign and full of strangers. It is so very important to feel safe in your labour environment. You can hire a doula at any point through your pregnancy usually after week 20 and right up till labour basically.

Heres a link to a perth agency that I liked the look of until I found they are in perth ....... bit far for me. ;) http://www.australiandoulas.com.au/profiles/index.htm

Hope that is of some help.