How much does a doula cost?
How much does a doula cost?
$500 – $4,000 average total cost
$25 – $80 average cost per hour (postpartum)
Average doula cost
A doula costs $500 to $4,000 per birth on average for support during labor. Doula prices depend on where you live, their experience, and the type of care you want. Postpartum doula fees are $25 to $80 per hour for services like newborn care, light housecleaning, and emotional support.
| Service type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Birth doula | $500 – $4,000 total |
| Postpartum doula | $25 – $80 per hour |
| Virtual doula | $25 – $100 per hour |
| Specialized care | $200 – $500+ extra |
Birth doula
Doulas charge $500 to $4,000 for a full birth service. This flat fee covers prenatal consultations, labor and delivery support, and a postpartum check-in. City rates, experience, and added services move costs toward the upper end.
Postpartum doula cost
A postnatal doula costs $25 to $80 per hour, depending on the doula's experience and where you live. Postpartum doulas help with newborn care, feeding support, light household tasks, and the parents' emotional adjustment.
If you need overnight support, hiring a night doula often comes with higher rates, and most providers require a minimum number of hours per night for these services.
Most birth doulas use a flat fee instead of an hourly rate because no one can predict how long the labor will last. Postpartum doulas are more likely to use hourly rates for their services after the labor and delivery are over.
Virtual doula
Expect to pay $25 to $100 an hour or pay a flat availability fee for virtual doula services. Virtual doulas offer support through calls, text, and video, providing guidance and reassurance during labor or postpartum periods.
Specialized care
Specialized care, such as for high-risk births or multiples, can require an extra $200 to $500 or more on top of a standard package. Not all doulas charge for these scenarios. Always ask up front about experience and any additional costs.
What is a doula?
A doula is a trained, non-medical professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before, during, and shortly after childbirth. Their goal is to help birthing parents feel empowered, informed, and comfortable during the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum periods.
What does a doula do?
Doulas do not perform any medical interventions. Instead, they guide, educate, and comfort clients during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery. They help by:
Writing birth plans
Providing newborn care tips
Offering pain-coping techniques
Advocating for client wishes in clinical settings
Doula prices by experience level
Doula prices depend on their experience, specialization, and the type of care you choose. The table below shows average prices for each type of service, giving you a clear picture of what to budget.
| Experience level | Average cost per birth |
|---|---|
| Entry-level doula | $500 – $1,200 |
| Experienced doula | $1,200 – $2,200 |
| Veteran doula | $1,800 – $3,000 |
| Specialized doula | $1,800 – $4,000 |
Entry-level doula
Plan to spend $500 to $1,200 for an entry-level doula. These professionals are earlier in their careers, may still be working toward certification, and often offer fewer prenatal and postpartum visits than higher-priced options. However, they still provide continuous birth support.
Experienced doula
Experienced doulas charge $1,200 to $2,200 for a birth package. They often have several years of experience, strong community referrals, and provide expanded prenatal support as well as thorough postpartum follow-up.
Veteran doula
Veteran doulas charge $1,800 to $3,000 per birth. These providers have extensive training and may be in high demand. They often offer advanced comfort techniques, specialized advocacy, and extended availability.
Specialized doula
Specialized birth doula services cost $1,800 to $3,500. This rate applies to doulas skilled in high-risk situations, VBAC preparation, multiples, or specific birthing methods. Packages may involve additional consultations or on-call support.
What affects the cost of a doula?
Many factors affect how much you pay for doula care:
Experience and certification: More seasoned doulas with advanced certifications charge higher rates due to the value they bring.
Services included: Packages with extensive prenatal visits, continuous birth support, and postpartum check-ins cost more than basic support.
Location: Many doulas charge lower rates for home births and higher rates for hospital births.
Length and timing of support: Longer labor, extended postpartum help, and overnight shifts may increase your bill.
Specialty and demand: Doulas with specialized skills, such as high-risk support, or those working in areas where their services are in high demand, may charge higher fees.
Some people confuse midwives and doulas because they both assist during childbirth. However, a midwife has more medical training and qualifications.
Doula FAQs
Are doulas covered by insurance?
Private insurance rarely covers doulas, though you should still ask your provider. Some Medicaid programs and flexible health spending accounts (FSAs or HSAs) will reimburse part or all of doula fees, especially in states aiming to reduce disparities in maternal care.
What is a postpartum doula?
A postpartum doula provides physical, emotional, and practical support after birth. They assist with newborn care, feeding, light chores, sleep routines, and help new parents adjust, aiming to boost family wellness and prevent postpartum mood issues.
What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?
A doula offers non-medical support, focusing on comfort, education, and emotional care. On the other hand, a midwife is a licensed medical professional. Midwives can oversee prenatal care, attend deliveries, and provide clinical interventions when allowed.
Is a doula worth it?
A doula can be worth the cost if you value personalized, continuous support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery. They often improve birth experiences, reduce interventions, and provide emotional reassurance. While they're not medical providers and often not covered by insurance, many families find their benefits outweigh the investment.
What is a death doula?
A death doula, also called an end-of-life doula, supports individuals and families through the dying process, as opposed to traditional birth doulas. They offer emotional comfort, help manage logistics, and provide non-medical care and advocacy, making the final stages of life more peaceful and personalized.
Questions to ask your doula
Before hiring, bring these questions to your doula interview to ensure personalized care.
What is your experience and training background?
What services are covered in your fee?
How do you handle high-risk pregnancies or complications?
Can you provide references or reviews?
Do you offer postpartum or virtual support?
Are payment plans or sliding scales available?
What is your availability near my due date?
Do you have a backup doula if you're unavailable?
How do you coordinate with my doctor or midwife?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.