How to Afford a Doula

I get it. I really do. While hiring a doula is incredibly beneficial, it's still a luxury. Unfortunately, not many insurance companies in the US cover the expense of a doula. (If you have a FSA, HSA, or HRA, you may be able to get reimbursed after you've paid for your doula services. You can read more about that here.) So, if you understand the benefit and want to tap into all that a doula offers but are already on a tight budget, how are you to afford one? 

How much does a doula cost? 

Before we start talking about how to afford one, let's establish how much a doula typically costs. To do this, you're going to have to do a little research to determine how much a doula charges in your area as it varies greatly. Generally, if your cost of living is higher, the cost of a doula in your area will also be higher and vise versa.

Also, when comparing prices, take into account that, just like in any profession, you can expect to pay more for a person with more experience and/or training than someone who has less. A doula just starting out may have a reduce rate while they are certifying whereas the doula who has been in business for ten years and has five additional certifications is going to charge more, and rightfully so.

One great place to scope out the cost range in your area is on Doula Match. Simply enter your due date and zip code to find doulas and other birth professionals in your area. You'll be able to see their general prices listed and be able to contact them directly from the Doula Match website. 

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Five Ways to Pay for a Doula

Now that you've established the general range of what a doula in your area will cost you, you can start thinking about how to pay for their services. Below are five ideas on how you can make hiring a doula affordable. 

1. Payment Plans -- Some doulas offer payment places for their services. Not all do, however, so be sure to ask during the initial interview. There is also typically a non-refundable deposit or fee due upfront to reserve the doula's services around the time you are due. Each doula determines what this fee is differently. If you are considering hiring a doula who offers a payment plan, it can be a good idea to hire them earlier in your pregnancy so you have sufficient time to make payments. 
2. Re-Budget & Save Up -- For many, part of preparing for a new baby is reworking the household budget anyway. When you do this, think about some little things you could cut out to save for hiring a doula. Consider cutting out or back on things like: eating out, trips to the movies, cable/satellite, Starbucks/coffee shop runs, etc.--the small luxury items you can do without or use a cheaper alternative. Rent movies instead of going to the theater or subscribe to Netflix or Hulu instead of paying for cable. These kinds of things will save up in the long run. 
3. Sell Stuff! -- In addition to the traditional yard sale, consider Ebay or Facebook Marketplace to sell unwanted or expendable items you have on hand. If you're crafty already you might sell on Esty or at local venues. If you have a skill you can market and sell you might try freelancing or a small side gig. I'm not suggesting you take on a second job to afford a doula. Whatever you decide to sell, if you decide to at all, should not be high stress or add a burden. Know your limits and if nothing else take advantage of that "nesting" instinct and get rid of unwanted/unneeded items and make some cash in the process. 
4. Baby Showers/Mother Blessings -- While people are showering you with gifts, go ahead and ask them if instead of giving you another diaper cake if they would be willing to donate to your "doula fund." You can even set out a cute little jar at your shower or ceremony for people to ask you about. Once they hear about all the amazing support they would be ensuring you get, they may surprise you with their generosity. Here are some FREE PRINTABLE DOULA FUND JAR LABELS designed to fit on a quart sized jar like the one pictured above. If people are wary of giving you cash, ask your doula if they offer gift certificates. 
5. Barter -- Some doulas accept bartering as a means to pay for their services. While you will still probably have to pay some out of pocket, bartering could reduce that amount. Some ideas of things you may be able to barter with are: professional photography, website design, custom furniture, auto or appliance repair, cooking/baking, coaching, etc. 

Combine several of these ideas to or come up with some of your own. While I fully believe a doula is a valuable asset to your birth team, I also believe with a little extra effort hiring a doula should not break the bank. 

Additional Alternatives

While the above ideas will make hiring a doula much more affordable for many, I fully recognize that some may still be unable to afford a doula. This need has been seen by several in the doula community and there are some non-profit or even for-profit doulas who offer sliding scale fees or free services. If you think you may qualify for these services, I encourage you to search for and reach out to those available in your area. 

One such non-profit in my own backyard who offers doula services to adolescent mothers on a sliding scale fee is Hope's Embrace based out of Lexington, KY. Please check out their website for more information on whether or not you would qualify and/or to donate so they can continue to offer their amazing services to those who  would otherwise not be able to afford it.