Ten Tips to Afford a Doula on a Budget

I get it - times are tough. But that doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice having adequate support during labour and postpartum. Here’s a few tips that can help to offset the cost of a doula.

📋 Some insurance plans offer an FSA/HCSA - it’s worth making a quick phone call to find out if this is available to you, or if doulas are covered.

💵 Many doulas will accept payment plans, as long as you can be all paid up by the time they need to go on call for you (usually around 37 weeks). I offer super flexible payment

plans that can be adjusted to suit your budget - even small, biweekly payments if that makes it easier for you to afford the support you need.

🍼 Add a doula fund to your baby shower registry! Many doulas will even provide gift certificates if your friends/family would prefer to have something physical to gift you.

👩🏼‍🎓 Find a doula working to complete their certification. While I’ve completed my program and my exams, I need to attend 1 birth or postpartum visit in order to “officially” become a certified doula. Send me a message to find out more about my qualifying client discount!

6 More Ways To Make a Doula More Affordable:

5. Invest your tax returns into your doula fund

6. Ask your doula for a custom package that will suit your budget

7. Ask for cash for birthdays/Christmas gifts in lieu of gifts and put this toward your doula fund

8. Declutter your home (you might want to do this before baby arrives anyway!) and sell any items you can for extra $$$

9. Barter/trade. I know, it sounds strange in today's world where this isn't as commonplace as it once was. But if you have a product or a skill that could benefit others, it doesn't hurt to ask about a reduced rate in exchange for goods or services. Some examples might be that you grow or raise your own food - grocery prices are only going up and some doulas might jump at the chance to trade for some locally grown food! Or maybe you're a photographer and want to offer to take family or professional photos in exchange for doula services.

10. And of course, the most obvious one of all: cut any unnecessary expenses (even just for a few months) and save, save, save!