How Much Does a Doula Cost?
Learn about doula prices as you begin the journey of pregnancy and childbirth
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What is the average cost of a doula?
Because doulas offer such a broad range of services, the cost of a doula will vary quite a bit depending on a few factors, such as where you live, their level of training and skill, the level of care and support you need, and the length of time you want to use their services. There are also multiple types of doulas, including birth doulas, who usually charge a flat fee for each birth and hourly for other services, and postpartum doulas, who almost always charge per hour.
If you live in a smaller area with a lower cost of living, then the average cost of a birth doula will be about $500 to $1,000, but if you live in a large metropolitan area, then you can expect to pay up to $2,500. The cost of a doula leading up to labor and postpartum usually lands at about $25-$40 per hour in smaller areas, and $40 to $65 in big cities.
How much does a birth doula cost?
Birth doulas are there to offer guidance and support throughout pregnancy, during labor, and immediately after birth. They can help you develop a “birthing preference” document (as birth doesn’t always go according to “plan”) that works for you and your family, prepare logistically and emotionally for labor, and they can be with you during the birth to provide emotional and physical care, encouragement, and advocacy.
In the majority of cases, birth doulas charge per birth as opposed to hourly during labor because the length of labor can be unpredictable. Most birth doulas will cost anywhere between $500 and $2,500 per birth. While pre-birth services are often included in the birth package, your doula may charge you hourly for childbirth education services. This hourly rate can range from $25-$65, which you should factor into overall costs.
In-Person
Most birth doulas will charge a flat fee for their assistance during labor, so you don’t have to be concerned about hourly rates during such a profound and life-changing time. Depending on the experience level of the doula and the services they offer, most birth doulas will charge between $500 to $2,500 per birth.
Virtual
While virtual doulas aren’t a brand new concept, the pandemic has had a major impact on how this process is done. Virtual support can be achieved through video calls, phone calls, and even texting while protecting yourself and others from COVID-19 and complying with safety restrictions.
Doulas will choose to charge virtual services in different ways, so be sure to inquire about this when looking for one that works for you. An average virtual doula might charge per hour (usually around $100) or they might charge a flat fee in exchange for being available during a set period of time. This is usually in line with typical in-person doula rates.
How much does a postpartum doula cost?
Postpartum doulas offer emotional and practical support to parents and birthing people during recovery and in the early weeks of new parenthood. Many doulas are trained in both birth and postpartum care, so you may be able to use the same doula throughout the process.
Unlike birth doulas, postpartum doulas almost always charge an hourly rate. Most doulas and doula agencies have a minimum number of hours that they work (this can be anywhere from 4 to 10 hours), so you can calculate a baseline cost depending on their specific rates.
Daytime
On average, daytime doula care can cost anywhere from $25 to $65 an hour. As you can expect, if you live in a smaller suburban or rural area, then the cost will be on the lower end of this range. On the other hand, in larger cities, the price will be on the higher end (and sometimes more for specialized care).
Overnight
Like daytime doulas, overnight doulas charge hourly and their rates usually fall between $25 to $65 per hour. In many cases, nighttime doulas will work between eight and ten hours at a time, meaning that you could spend between $250 to $650 for one night.
FAQs: More Common Questions About Doula Pricing
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Because doulas do not provide medical services, many insurance often won't cover the costs and you’ll likely have to pay out of pocket. There are insurance companies that will reimburse for doula services, especially if the family has a medical need and a doctor's note. Many insurance companies have buckets of money for "non-coded" services so they have some discretion about what they reimburse. To access those funds to help them afford a doula, those families will likely really have to hound the insurance company for reimbursement.
It’s also important to remember that HSA/FSA funds can definitely be used for both birth and postpartum services, so at least they can pay with pre-tax dollars.
Make sure you factor in doula costs when budgeting pregnancy and post-birth costs and reach out to doulas early on in your pregnancy to inquire about their rates. In many cases, you can also ask your doula if they offer flexible payment plans so that you don’t have to pay all at once. You can even include doula services in your baby registry, which is a great way to get quality care without breaking the bank.
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When searching for doula services, many people are surprised at how expensive they can be. Doulas are a highly specialized profession. They join you for a short but intense period of time in one's life, and then they move on.
While most doulas would love to charge less than they do to offer help to a wider range of people, in order to provide consistent and quality care over long periods of time, the career has to be sustainable. Since many doulas run their own businesses, they have to factor in business expenses, transportation, time, and emotional and physical labor.
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Doulas offer a wide array of services to provide physical and emotional support to birthing people and their families. Birth doulas can provide emotional and physical care through guided breathing, massage, and encouragement. Birth doulas can also advocate for you even in hospital settings. This doesn’t mean that they will make decisions for you or take the lead; rather, they will make sure that your voice is heard and facilitate dialogue between you and the medical professionals.
Postpartum doulas assist in physical and emotional healing after birth and offer guidance for recovery, feeding, soothing, sleeping, and newborn care. Some doulas also offer to help with housework and meal preparation to take some of the pressure off of new parents and help any older children adjust to their new sibling.
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A doula should charge according to their skill level, experience, relevant certifications and degrees, and where they live. For a newer doula in a smaller city, it’s typical to charge roughly $25 to $40 per hour or $500 to $1,000 per birth. However, if a doula has significant training and experience and lives in a large city like Los Angeles or New York, then the doula should charge $40 to $65 per hour or between $1,000 to $2,500 for labor services.
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Absolutely! If you have access to a quality doula and can fit them into your budget, their presence will significantly improve not only your experience, but also birth outcomes. Multiple studies have shown that doulas significantly reduce anxiety and pain levels during birth and before and after, lower the likelihood of requiring medical pain relief and the need for other interventions such as cesarean surgery, shrink time spent in labor, and increase the quality of post-birth bonding.
Have more questions about how much a doula costs?
Contact Wildwood Birth to ask about our services and prices, and to get a free consultation! Our goal is to provide you with the high-quality, compassionate, and expert care you deserve during this process. We offer birth doula services, postpartum support, and pregnancy classes in Portland, Oregon.