Birth is amazing. It is filled with raw emotion, physical strength, and so much beauty as a family is transformed. Being there to witness birth is an amazing honor, and not one that I take lightly. Months of dedication and hours of hard work, culminate into a life changing experience that I got to witness first hand. Watching a woman transform into a new chapter of life is awe inspiring. All those feelings are amazing, but there is one little thing we sometimes forget. I can't pay my bills with feels.
When it comes down to the cost of attending a birth, we must consider having on call childcare 24 hours a day for weeks on end. And if you're busy, it ends up being 24 hours a day, everyday, for years on end. Aside from childcare expenses, consider how much gas is used to travel to and from an interview, prenatal visits, labor itself, and a postpartum visit. Remember that doulas are human and will likely need to eat and drink during the approximate 12 hours they are attending your labor. Add in the supplies in her doula bag of tricks, the packets of information she provides, and all the time she is able to devote to you and you'll soon realize that a doula must charge to keep from going under quick.
I sign a client accounting for approximately 35 hours of time directly impacting their birth. This includes our meetings, along with phone, email, and text support, and the birth itself. I don't know many people willing to work 35 hours on something and not expect compensation. I'm not being heartless, I volunteer my time within multiple organizations, but this is my livelihood. Just like any other member of your birth team, I am working hard to help give you the birth of dreams. I just ask you remember this a career for me, not a hobby I do in my spare time.
Alecia Miller, CD
In honor of world doula week, I am completing a blog challenge. Please click the image below to see the work of other dedicated doulas from across the country!
When it comes down to the cost of attending a birth, we must consider having on call childcare 24 hours a day for weeks on end. And if you're busy, it ends up being 24 hours a day, everyday, for years on end. Aside from childcare expenses, consider how much gas is used to travel to and from an interview, prenatal visits, labor itself, and a postpartum visit. Remember that doulas are human and will likely need to eat and drink during the approximate 12 hours they are attending your labor. Add in the supplies in her doula bag of tricks, the packets of information she provides, and all the time she is able to devote to you and you'll soon realize that a doula must charge to keep from going under quick.
I sign a client accounting for approximately 35 hours of time directly impacting their birth. This includes our meetings, along with phone, email, and text support, and the birth itself. I don't know many people willing to work 35 hours on something and not expect compensation. I'm not being heartless, I volunteer my time within multiple organizations, but this is my livelihood. Just like any other member of your birth team, I am working hard to help give you the birth of dreams. I just ask you remember this a career for me, not a hobby I do in my spare time.
Alecia Miller, CD
In honor of world doula week, I am completing a blog challenge. Please click the image below to see the work of other dedicated doulas from across the country!