What is the cost of a birth doula in Cincinnati or N. Kentucky?

What is the cost of a birth doula in Cincinnati or N. Kentucky? 

6 years ago, when I first started looking for a birth doula, pregnant with my second child and wanting a supported birth experience different from my first, I kept hearing the word doula. I knew that I wanted to add one to my birth team. A big question I had then was, ''Will I even be able to afford a doula?''

I scoured the various doula directories looking for the most affordable but still warm and approachable looking doula. I eventually found an incredibly warm, compassionate and enthusiastic doula who was only charging a few hundred dollars.

​I hired this doula right away. She spent time with me prenatally, answering a ''false alarm'' call a few weeks before my due date, and coming to the hospital for a looong birth, and then coming to my home once again after my baby and I were home. 
When it was all said and done, my birth doula in 2012 made pennies on the hour. 
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Fast forward just a couple years and this phenomenal doula is no longer available or doing birth doula work at all. I have to wonder if the reason is that she wasn't making a fair living wage for all the work she was doing. 

How much does a Cincinnati or N. Kentucky Doula cost in 2018? ​

​​Birth doulas in the Cincinnati and N. Kentucky area right now range from $400- $1300+ 

At Cincinnati Birth and Parenting Doula Agency, we have tiers of birth doulas available.
Our tier 2 doulas are currently $800 and our tier 1 doula is $1100. All of our doulas provide one or two prenatal visits (parents choice), continuous birth support and one postpartum visit, as well as backup doula support, if and as needed, at no additional cost. 

You can read more about our birth doula service offering and fees here. 

I believe a doula is something to save for and invest in. The support of a doula made such a difference in my births and I've seen the support of a doula make a huge difference in the births I've attended. And furthermore, I believe doulas deserve to make a fair living wage. Charging a sustainable rate is of benefit to the doulas and to the families that we work with. 

Most doulas don't expect payment all at once. Here at Cincinnati Birth and Parenting Doula Agency, we accept payment arrangements and most of the families we work with pay 1/2 of our fee upon contract signing and the other 1/2 closer to their due date, no later than 38 weeks. 

If you have any questions about the cost of a doula or how you can add a doula to your birth team, reach out to us today. We'd love to chat! 

Learn More about Our Doula Services