How You Can Afford to Hire a Doula
“I can’t afford it.”
This is one of the most common reasons someone might choose not to hire a doula. And I get it. I REALLY do get it. Sometimes the finances simply aren’t there and other things have to be prioritized - like gas, food, rent, or the phone bill.
But you deserve to be fully supported at your birth! So, let’s say that maybe, just maybe, the finances *are* there and you just don’t quite see how. I’m going to talk about a few ways it might be more affordable than you realize to hire a doula.
Payment plans. Almost all doulas offer some kind of a payment plan. You will typically pay a retainer fee to reserve your due date and then the rest is broken up into monthly, biweekly, or even weekly payments. The total cost of hiring a doula may feel overwhelming but splitting it up can make it a bit more doable.
Extended installments. This could fall under the category of payment plans but I think it deserves its own spot on the list because it is a somewhat unique option. Some doulas offer extended installment plans through a third party, which is more like a small loan than a payment plan. You apply online and then once approved you select a term length that works with your budget (typically up to twelve months). This is great because it means you can stretch those payments out beyond the date of your birth! So are you due in two weeks and don’t have the funds for a doula? This is for you!
HSA or FSA. Talk to your insurance provider to find out if you can use your HSA or FSA for doula support. They may be able to reimburse you or you will be able to use your HSA/FSA card. If you are able to use your card just ask your doula if they accept HSA or FSA as payment.
Insurance. Some insurance providers are getting the message and beginning to cover the cost of a doula. Typically this means you will be reimbursed for all or part of the total cost. It’s worth a phone call to find out! If they do offer coverage for doula support, ask what they need from you in order to process it. If your doula works with insurance she will be able to provide you with whatever the insurance company needs to get the ball rolling.
Gifts! Tell family and friends that you’d love for them to pitch in toward the cost of a doula as an alternative to purchasing something off your registry. There are also some online registries that allow you to add anything you’d like people to contribute to. Some doulas even offer a special registry just for their services that you can share with family and friends. Even $20 here and there can add up!
A combination of any of these! Want to pay some with your HSA and some through extended installments? Great! Family and friends are paying for part of the cost and you want to arrange a payment plan for the rest? Perfect! I allow clients to combine ANY of these options whenever possible to make having the support of a doula at your birth as manageable as possible. Other doulas might accept payment this way too even if they don’t advertise it! Just ask!
If you are local to northeast Florida or southeast Georgia and would like to have a doula but finances are tight, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Give some thought to whether or not one of these arrangements, or a combination of these options, would work for you and feel free to ask me any questions! I’m always happy to chat about how we can make it possible!