BIRTH DOULA Service Package

The NYC Doula Collective offers a standard Birth Doula Service Package to all clients regardless of fee level. Our doulas have shared ethical commitments and standards of professionalism and offer a consistent support package for all families. Doulas who have attended fewer than 75 births have the support and guidance of an experienced doula serving as their mentor. Our package includes:

• Unlimited phone and email support from time of hire throughout your pregnancy and postpartum period and will be on call for you from week 37 of your pregnancy until your birth.

• One or two prenatal meetings are offered. These meetings can provide space for things like getting to know your doula better, discussing your birthing preferences, asking questions and planning for the big day.

• Your doula will have phone contact with you during early labor and join you when you ask them to. They will meet you at your home, birth center or hospital, depending on your preference. Your doula will attend your labor continuously, providing physical comfort, emotional support, and information to assist you in decision-making. Your doula will help your partner and/or any other support people by offering suggestions, information, assistance, and reassurance. Your doula will serve as a liaison between you and the staff—establishing rapport, reminding you of your preferences, and helping you ask questions so you can have the information you need to make decisions. Your doula will remain with you for about one to two hours postpartum to assist with initiating feeding and other early postpartum needs.

• Your doula will be available by phone and email to answer any questions you have during your postpartum time and to offer you referrals for other resources as needed.

• Your doula will provide one follow-up visit at the hospital or your home within the first weeks postpartum to review your birth experience, answer any questions you have, assist with feeding or make appropriate referrals, and get feedback from you about your experience of working with them.

FEES

Our doulas operate as independent contractors and charge a flat fee for our standard birth doula package regardless of the time of hire. This fee ranges anywhere from $500 to $5000. Each doula sets their own fee.

We offer the following as a guide for deciding what your doula budget might be:

We know everyone deserves access to doula support! If you make a combined income of less than $30,000 and are unable to afford $500 to $1,400 for doula support, we recommend you add a doula to your baby registry or check out the following organizations that provide lower to no cost doula services: The Doula Project, Ancient Song Doula Services, and By My Side (select Brooklyn residents only).

Payments

Deposit payments can be made via credit card (additional processing fees apply), free Zelle bank transfer, or check. Please consult your doula and the NYCDC agreement for more information on how to complete payments and officially hire our doulas.