Being a doula is not free. It costs anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000 depending on the doula training organization you are affiliated with and what certification level you choose. That’s where I come in! I am a experienced doula who trained as an apprentice under one of the top leaders in the birth industry and have over three years of experience as a doula. As an added bonus, I offer a “how to start your own doula business” mini course as well! I am committed to aspiring and current doulas who truly want to help women through childbirth and empowering them to be awesome birth cheerleaders in their communities.
You may find it hard to access the right information on the internet, so we are here to help you in the following article, providing the best and updated information on How Much Does It Cost To Become A Certified Doula, how long does it take to become a doula. Read on to learn more.We at collegelearners .com have all the information that you need about how to become a doula . Read on to learn more.
How much does a doula cost?
The cost of a doula varies based on where you live, the number of visits you schedule and the services you’d like to receive (although most usually cover a prenatal visit, labor and delivery, and post-delivery follow-up).
You can expect to pay between $800 and $2,500 for your doula, give or take, with doulas costing more in big cities like New York. Some doulas charge by the hour, while others have a flat fee.
If you’re worried about how to afford a doula, there’s some good news. While you may have to take care of it as an out-of-pocket expense, you may also be able to offset at least part of the cost, since some health insurance providers cover doula care. And some states currently cover doulas under their Medicaid plans, while others are considering similar legislation.
Call your provider and ask for their policies on labor support, childbirth education and lactation support. Also ask whether you can use your health care flex spending or health savings accounts (if you have them) to contribute to the cost of a doula.
DONA Doula Certification Costs and Fees:
- Training Program Cost: $400 and up depending on which classes you pick
- Enrollment Fee: $50
- Online Distance Learning Classes Cost :$600
- Certification Processing Cost: $110
- Membership Fee: $100 per year
- Recertification Fee: $80
How to Become a Certified Doula
Doula
To be certified as a doula for Doulas of North American (DONA), you must attend a DONA approved workshop, take courses, support 3 mothers in their births, read doula literature, complete writing assignments, and take an online exam.
According to DONA International, you do not have to be a member to attend workshops. However, you will receive a discount if you are a member. You have up to two years to complete your certification requirements as part of your doula training.
DONA Doula Certification Requirements:
- Attend a DONA approved workshop of 16 hours or more. Your attendance is valid for 4 years if you apply for certification
- Observe a childhood preparation series taught to pregnant mothers
- Either attend a breastfeeding workshop or participate in independent study on breastfeeding or lactation
- Read course manuals
- Read 5 books from the required reading list
- Support 3 mothers by attending 3 births
- These will only count after purchasing the certification package and attend a DONA approved workshop
- At least 15 total hours of continuous support
- You must provide immediate postpartum support for the newborn
- Write an essay accounting each birth
- Receive and evaluation from both the mother and the primary health care provider during your attendance
- Create a list of local resources for expectant parents
- Write an essay on the value of labor support by doulas
- Purchase a certification packet
- Observe a webinar
What are the benefits of having a doula?
A doula offers support throughout labor, delivery and beyond.
Doctors or midwives may change shifts, and some may only be present during the final stages of birth. Doulas, however, typically meet with you before the birth, will stay with you during the entire labor and delivery process, and will often make one or two post-labor follow-up visits to check on your breastfeeding progress and make sure baby is latching on correctly.
Studies have shown that doulas can help cut back on time spent in labor, reduce a mom’s and/or coach’s anxiety, lower the rate of medical interventions (including C-sections) and improve mother-baby bonding post-birth.
Their assistance has even been shown to improve the odds of breastfeeding success, since many doulas are also lactation consultants.
A doula may be especially helpful for a mom-to-be who’s on her own, either by choice or because her partner can’t be or isn’t present (for reasons including military deployment).
how long does it take to become a doula
Average Length of Doula Study
Typically, a birth doula needs to finish 7 to 12 hours of childbirth education, 16 hours of birth doula training, and attend at two to five births. A postpartum doula usually attends about 27 hours of postpartum doula education and assists two or more women with postpartum support. Some distance learning programs are available.
Career Outlook
The career forecast is positive for those with doula training. Midwives and nurse-midwives are in increasing demand, with the practice of nurse-midwifery legal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The American College of Nurse-Midwives reports that their goal was to have 20% of non-Cesarean births attended by nurse-midwives by 2020. DONA International, which is just one of several professional doula organizations, has more than 6,000 members from around the world.
Doula Salary
A doula’s salary varies greatly depending on geographic location, how much training and experience you have, and how many hours of work you do per week. However, fees for birth doulas generally run between $250 and $1000.