6 Ways to Afford Doula Fees

You’ve heard about doulas. Maybe you’re still learning about what doulas do. Maybe you already know you want to hire a doula for your upcoming birth. Or maybe you or your partner are still on the fence about how to afford a doula.

When you’re pregnant, it can feel like you suddenly need to buy all the things (maternity clothes, baby clothes, diapers, and so much baby gear) and it’s easy to get overwhelmed with how you’re going to afford all the stuff, plus hiring a doula! We’re here to help you, so read on to learn about some creative ways to afford a doula for your birth.

6 Creative Ways to Afford Doula Services

1. Put a doula on your registry

Your friends and family want to give you a gift, and the default is usually a cute baby outfit. While cute baby outfits are fun, why not ask them to put that $20 toward a doula fund instead? You can even create a doula fund on registries like BabyList. If your loved ones live far away, this is a wonderful way for them to feel able to support you in a more practical, active manner.

2. Start saving early

If you know you want to hire a doula, start saving early so you can afford a doula without stress. Putting $10 a week into a doula savings fund will add up, and before you know it you’ll have a good chunk of money to put toward hiring a doula. 

3. Get creative with making extra cash

Do you have a marketable skill that wouldn’t take too much time or effort? Do you have some items in the house that you no longer use, and could sell? Now is a great time to clear out some clutter to make room for baby, so why not sell some of your old items?

4. Ask your doula for a payment plan

Most doulas can offer flexible payment plans so you can spread your payment out over several months. This is a great reason to find a doula early in your pregnancy, so you have plenty of time to make payments. 

5. Pay for your doula with your HSA/FSA account

Many doulas accept HSA/FSA cards as payment, so be sure to ask your prospective doula about it.

6. Check with your employer about Carrot Fertility or Progyny Benefits

Some companies offer fantastic employee benefits such as Carrot Fertility, Progyny, or Maven, which include funding for birth and postpartum doula services! These companies recognize the value of a well-supported employee and their ability to return to work when the time comes.

6. Finance your doula services through Affirm

Some parents choose to finance doula services through a company such as Affirm, with flexible payment options and no compound interest.

Hiring a doula for your birth is one of the best decisions you can make for yourself. It’s worth making the extra effort to save up, and you’ll be so glad you did!