Hi everyone,

I want to be an antepartum doula. However, I am finding very little info about the business aspect of this particular assistance. Let's say I am hired by a woman in her 18th week of pregnancy who has been diagnosed with incompetent cervix and is to remain on bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy. How often should/can I see her and what do I charge? I want to be able to offer my services for long periods of time, without adding a burden of expense on a family that is probably already losing an income due to the preg complication. At the same time, I have my own family and my husband would kill me if I didn't set limits, boundaries and reasonable fees.

Please advise!

Thanks so much!

Jessica

-- Jessica Williams (montanafam4@yahoo.com), August 27, 2002

Answers

Hi Jessica, With me, each client has to be determined on a case by case basis. A woman who hires me at 12 weeks into her pregnancy will pay more than someone who hires me at 30 weeks into the pregnancy. It just depends. And it also depends on what area of the country you are in and what the going rate for a doula is. I'll help you if I can! Please email me for more info!

-- Heather Garner LMA, CLD, Ph.D., "Carolina Births" (LaborDoula@hotmail.com), August 29, 2002.