How to Afford a Doula

Hiring a Birth or Postpartum Doula (or both) might seem like a luxury for a lot of expectant parents.  And realistically for some it is!

But there are so many important reasons to hire a Doula.

Birth Doulas:
-  reduce cesarean rates
-  less need for pain medication
-  less use of Pitocin/Oxytocin
-  more likely to rate their birth experience as positive

Postpartum Doulas:
-  helps reduce postpartum mood disorders
-  improves breastfeeding success  

So you might be thinking, these are all great reasons, but how do I swing it financially.  Some suggestions are:
-  ask your Doula about payment plans, most have a set up of an initial down payment and subsequent payments.
-  scale back on unnecessary baby items, you'll be surprised at how few  of the "must have" items that you don't really or ever use.
-  ask friends and family for money towards a Doula fund, it will be money you will never regret spending.

Stats on doula benefits courtesy of:
www.evidencebasedbirth.com
www.doulatraining.ca
www.dona.org