Our Labor Doula Fees

Sometimes there is a question or confusion regarding fees that we charge at Labor of Love for our different doulas. We have over a dozen doulas in our group and have varying levels of experience, expertise and experience. Therefore, our fees vary. Our total of experience exceeds 900 births! This should allow you a better understanding of our fees. At Labor of Love we determine fees based primarily on experience. But experience alone does not make a doula a great doula. It is her heart and hands that are the most important thing to her work. Her experience enhances that, but is only one part of the recipe for a good doula. Meeting a doula and finding a great fit is the most important thing. Just as each woman has an "ideal" birth, the doula who is the "perfect" match is different as well. Within our group we offer the same services but a variety of women to meet your specific needs.'

Every one of our doulas has been through some international or national certifying organizations training to become a labor doula. Some have several certifications in several areas, and others are working on their certification currently.

We also offer an apprentice program that allows a newly trained doula to attend the childbirth series with one of the Birthing in Awareness childbirth educators. After doing so, she can then attend a birth with a more experienced doula to shadow her and assist her at a labor and birth. This allows her some hands on experience without the full responsibility to the laboring couple. We offer having an apprentice come along with your doula at no additional fee. So you get two doulas for the price of one! This is subject to if we have apprentice doulas available.

Many doulas outside of Labor of Love set their fees as to what the market will bear. At Labor of Love we try to keep our fees fair and within a reach that most couples can afford. If you are unable to afford our fees, talk to Teresa. We may be able to offer a reduced fee if there is a need or provide you with an apprentice doula for a deeply reduced fee. There are many doulas outside of Labor of Love who start their fees at our top, most experienced level. No one regulates doula fees and many doulas do not base their fees on experience level. You may find a doula elsewhere that charges $650 and is just beginning her journey as a doula. Don't assume from her fee that she is experienced. The best way to know what level of experience a doula has is to ask. If you love your doula and feel she is the perfect match for you, it is not important what her fee is if it is affordable to you.

And when looking at fees that a doula charges, it is important to know what is being offered for that fee. Other doulas may charge for "false starts" where you return home from the hospital after determining it was false labor. We do not. Sometimes other doulas charge more after a set number of hours. We do not agree with this. We feel this causes undue anxiety to the mom who may not call her doula at times she may need her, for fear she will go over that set number of hours. We do not charge for extra long labors just as we don't refund for fast ones since both are out of your control.

Parts of our services include having an extensive back up system in case of a situation where your doula is unable to attend you for a family emergency or sickness. This is extremely rare. We provide the "Meet the Doula Tea" for you to meet the possible back ups and have the ability to let us know your preference for back up. Although not guaranteed, we try to meet that request when possible. We try to provide photos and a birth story or time line for you within our services which are included in our fee. We stay for the first hour or so after the birth to help with breastfeeding at no additional fee. And we provide a free follow up meeting to get your photos and notes or story from the birth.

But we have tried to determine our fees to be reflections of levels of experience, expertise and/or certifications. As their level of experience increases or their certifications multiply, the Labor of Love doula's fees increase. If you want to know how many births a doula has supported, or what her level of expertise is, ask her directly.

Most of the Labor of Love doulas also offer a discount to repeat clients. The suggestion is to offer whatever the most previous fee was prior to the current fee to repeat clients. This is also up to the discretion of the doula. I have had several clients and their partners tell us that our fees are too low after they see what we provide. Keep in mind, just as you tip your waiter or stylist for excellent service, you can tip your doula as well! It is not necessary or expected, but always appreciated! If you have any questions regarding our fees, please don't hesitate to contact Teresa at teresa@alaboroflove.org. Thanks!