Cost of a doula

[AntoinetteCosway]

I found a doula I like but she charges £800-900. There is NO way we can afford that!

Does anyone know if that's average? (We're up north-York.)

How much less would a mentored doula be?

We don't qualify for the UK doula fund'a reduced fees.

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

That is within normal. I think ours is £700, so a bit lower. I think trainees generally only charge expenses though, so that probably helps?

[AntoinetteCosway]

Argh, I was worried that was going to be the answer! I know they're on call for a good few weeks so I can see it's a justified cost, it's just too much for us.

So for a mentored doula expenses would be petrol, food while with us...? What else?

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

Not sure. Sorry. You probably need to ask one? Hope you find someone.

[AntoinetteCosway]

You're right-I'm just embarassed to lead with 'can I afford you?'!

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

I know what you mean, but there's no need is there? I mean, that's how you'd start if you were buying a car or something. You wouldn't go and look at something, fall in love with it and then find out the price. You go in with a budget and some requirements and see where you end up.

[Superarchie]

FYI mentored doulas do charge a fee, not just expenses.

It does seem to me that prices have jumped hugely since I last looked. 3 years ago they were charging 5-600 in London for fully qualified, maximum £100 plus expenses for mentored.
Now it's more like £900 for fully qualified, and mentored are between £2 and £300 plus expenses.

[AntoinetteCosway]

I wish I had a friend who was training and would do it for free or for an exchange of skills or something!

[Tranquilitybaby]

Many doulas fees are negotiable, just be honest and see what they say. Also less experiend bit mentored doulas are generally much cheaper, many around £260. Look on Doula UK x

[bluebeanie]

Mine was £350 in Manchester. Worth her weight in gold.

[Roseandmabelshouse]

Gosh, that seems cheap if they are on call prior to birth. I think I might look into becoming one!

I hope you can find one op. Best of luck with your birth

[BabyWitch]

Hi OP - by all means offer an exchange of skills. I saw a blog a while ago where a doula said that she needed taps fixing/ shelves putting up too. Many are mums who might be grateful for some babysitting.

Obviously it's down to the individual, and some might not be open to it. But there are so many trainee doulas popping up (in some areas) and I think they need to see a certain number of births before they qualify, so there may be a couple that are willing to reduce their fee in order to 'get' another birth.

I really wish I'd had a doula for my birth. Just get on the phone, if you don't ask, you won't get. And you never know what other information you might find along the way.

Also, some hospitals offer a volunteer birth attendant service - but they may not be very good at advertising it. And in my area there is a 'bump buddy' scheme for vulnerable women - I don't know how they determine vulnerable, but again, if you chat with them they might have some helpful suggestions.

[justasmallone]

Mine was £500, down south. That seems really steep. But if you want her, can you pay in installments.

[JimmyPerez]

Just start phoning and open with "I don't want to waste your time (or mine) and I have a limited budget, what was the final bill for your last 3 clients?".

[Tranquilitybaby]

If you look on doula UK on Find A doula it wi say of they're mentored or recognised. Many have websites with few cost on them too. X

[beela]

Ours is £800. We are in the Midlands.

[AntoinetteCosway]

I've contacted a couple today and been up front about needing to know the costs involved. Hopefully they won't take offence! I've also emailed someone who I know used to work as a doula (now a Hypnobirthing teacher) to ask her if she knows any mentored ones out there. Doula UK doesn't seem to have many in my area unfortunately though I'm guessing there are more than are on the site.