Affording a Doula
When booking a doula for your birthing time, the price tag might feel overwhelming at first but having a knowledgeable and supportive doula at your side is priceless. The birth of your child only happens one time so it’s a great decision to be as prepared as you possibly can.
✨When you book your doula for the birth of your baby, you will have access to all of the birth education knowledge they possess which can be shared with you during the 1-3 prenatal appointments they provide you with.
✨From approximately 36 weeks till you’re in labor you’ll have 24/7 access to them via talking or texting.
✨Once you’re in labor, your doula will be there to support you emotionally and physically from the time you want them to be at your side until your baby is earth side and you’re ready for them to leave.
✨ Your Doula will also help your partner (if you have one) try different ways to support you so they can be included in the labor and birth experience if they choose to.
✨You will also have a postpartum visit with them so you can discuss your birth experience if you choose to do so.
✨I had a doula support me at my birth and the only thing I regret is not having a doula at my 3 previous births!!✨
Do these 9 things to afford your Doula
01. Ask your Doula if they accept payment plans
If you book them at the start of your pregnancy, depending on their price, you may only have to pay as little as $20 per week!
02. Ask your Doula if gift certificates are available
This option makes it easy for your family to pool their money together to buy you this gift.
03. Ask your Doula to create a customized package
When doing this, you can ask for fewer prenatal appointments or no postpartum visits which will make your price tag less.
04. Invest your tax returns
You don’t have to invest the whole amount but putting down a majority of the cost can help secure your spot in your doula’s schedule.
05. Charge it to a credit card
Obviously, this can be nice because then you can pay monthly payments instead of one lump sum.
06. Add Doula services to your registry
You can add this to any baby registry or you can go to a website called BeHerVillage which is geared specifically towards getting services paid for by your family and friends. Click this link to go to their site 😊
07. Contact your insurance to see if Doula services are covered
Some insurances pay for you to have a Doula, you just have to check with them and if they do, make sure you talk to your Doula about it so you are on the same page.
08. If you have an FSA, HSA or HRA savings plan, use it
You may need a letter from your doctor stating having a Doula is a medical need and that’s all but check with your specific provider as rules may vary.
09. Save, Save, Save
It might sound obvious but if you think you might even remotely want a Doula, just save $20-40 per check and put it away. A little here and there can really add up!
