How to Afford a Birth Doula
The expenses of childbirth, particularly for those seeking a holistic model of care, can feel daunting for birthing people and families. You might be wondering: is it really worth it to hire a doula? If I’m working with midwives, is a doula necessary? Should I put that money towards something else? Particularly for women birthing in my area of Boulder, CO, there seem to be so many different options or avenues you could invest in as you prepare for your birth.
So firstly, why should you hire a doula?
A doula can help protect your birthing space and your bodily sovereignty before, during, and after your birth. She understands your birth plan and can serve as your advocate in the room.
While midwives offer a holistic model of care, they are often tending to multiple clients at once, or need to be in and out of the birth space for whatever reason. A doula stays by your side and provides continuous support and guidance throughout your labor and birth.
For the most part, our current medical culture is failing in supporting birthing women and newborns in achieving healthy, positive births. Through prenatal education, a doula can help you navigate this system and (hopefully) achieve the birth experience you want, regardless of setting. She can also refer you to different care providers that might fit your needs more accurately.
Evidence shows that doulas support healthier outcomes for both the birthing person and the newborn, including:
increased likelihood of vaginal birth
decreased need for pain medication
decreased length of labor
Increase in birthgivers’ satisfaction
Increase in baby’s APGAR scores
Increase in infant feeding success
Decreased anxiety & depression for new mama
Further, those with a strong social support system (which can include a birth or postpartum doula) during the postpartum period, particularly the first 40 days, tend to experience faster healing, less anxiety, and deeper bonding and peace in their relationship with their new baby.
Because birth is a transformational event that will impact your life and your child’s life, bringing in wise, informed, and grounding support can alter the trajectory of the postpartum time and beyond.
So, what are some creative ways to afford a doula?
If you’ve decided you’d like to a hire a doula, here are a few creative ways to afford her services:
Highlight Doula Services on your Registry: Rather than buying new items that your baby with quickly outgrow, have your community donate to a Doula Fund
Save by finding used items and keep the registry minimal: Ask around in your community for used items, or check out online resources like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, & OfferUp. Really, you don’t need a ton of stuff postpartum. What I see as the basics: a baby wrap, diapers, blankets, a hand pump or breast pump, and a sleep set-up (bassinet, co-sleeper, etc.) Resist the urge to accrue lots of stuff and invest in the care team you dserve.
Apply Flex Spending/Health Savings Accounts: Some FSAs and HSAs can help pay for midwives and doulas.
Set up a Payment Plan: Many doulas are open to working with clients on a sliding scale or payment plan. We’re here to make sure everyone gets the care they deserve— don’t be afraid to ask!
Say Bye to the Gender Reveal (or Baby Shower!): Gender reveal parties and baby showers can often lead to more stress for new mamas. Allocate those funds elsewhere. Ask your doula or a dear friend to plan a Blessingway for you.
Barter goods and services: If you and your partner have valuable skills to share, reach out and see if your doula would be open to a trade.
Reach out to Free or Low-Cost Community Doula Groups: Organizations like Operation Doula, Sanctuary Doulas, or DoulaMatch.net can pair you with doulas who work on a sliding scale or pro bono.
Most importantly, prioritize: Check in with yourself and understand your own priorities. Is it more important to have a brand new bassinet, or have continuous loving support throughout your birth, that’s widely understood to improve outcomes? We all want to give our baby the best, but keep in mind the long-term benefit of anything purchased – including services. The day you give birth to your baby is a day you’ll remember for the rest of your life. You might repaint the nursery a dozen times, but the memory of your birth and who was there by your side will stay with you.
For families in the Boulder area struggling to afford a doula, I offer a sliding scale model and believe that everyone should have access to compassionate birth support. If you feel like you’d benefit from doula care but aren’t sure if you can afford a doula, please reach out.