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Ask A Doula
Questions and Answer

Q. What is the average cost to hire a doula? I don't even have a clue as to what it would cost.

A. Doulas around the country receive anywhere from $100 to $1200 for a birth. Some doulas charge on a sliding scale, some on a hourly basis and some a flat fee. Many doulas are 'in training' and will attend your birth for free. Some doulas will barter for all or part of the birth fee.

The national average is about $300. See what services your doula will provide for her fee. Some will include some postpartum support as well. Hope this helps.

Ilana Stein has been working professionally with pregnant women since 1983 as a childbirth educator, labor assistant and breastfeeding consultant. She was originally certified by the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth (The Bradley Method), The Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators (ALACE), and Doulas of North America (DONA). She teachs the ALACE Labor Assistant training workshop nationwide. She has spoken at conferences and at the New York University Graduate Program in Midwifery about labor support. She is a Positive Pregnancy and Parenting Fitness (PPPF) instructor and La Leche League Leader. She is also a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor at the local YMCA. She volunteers as the coordinator of the annual New York Area YM-YWCA Women’s Wellness Weekend.