cost of becoming a doula???

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I have been seriously considering becoming a doula and was wondering what the total cost would be...classes, certification, etc? Just a rough figure would really help me out a lot. I live in Lexington, Ky. Where exactly should I begin with becoming a doula?

-- Beth Kurnat (kaitlynn27@msn.com), June 05, 2001

Answers

It can cost anywhere from $300 to $600 to become a certified doula. Then to start your own doula services plan to spend at least another $300.

There are a lot of avenues to becoming a doula. I'd suggest check out previos threads on this discussion board for ideas or look up DONA.

Good luck!

-- Lesley Nelson (lesley@doula.net), June 15, 2001.


Hello Beth!

American Doula Network (www.americandoulanetwork.com) offers programs that are help doulas certify at a low cost and does not require a workshop for certification. They do this since it is so expensive and sometimes not possible for women to travel to a workshop. All the information you could get from a workshop can be achieved through ADN programs. Then if you have the opportunity to attend one then you are encouraged to but it is not a requirement.

You also recieve a lot of business support and free business literature such as personal and custom documents, brochures, flyers, business cards, website and email. The savings on these items alone can end up almost covering the cost of the program. Plus right now they have a summer special going on where you take 20% off and recieve a gift certificate to Cutting Edge Press to go towards a book, video, birthball or whatever you want.

Certifying and starting a business both can be a costly investment for a business that takes a while to make money back. This program is wonderful on its own merit but then also helps defray those costs for you.

Here are the original prices. You apply the savings to it and are still able to spread it out in payments if you need to.

Birth Doula: The all inclusive fee for your membership, certification, networking privileges, and business services for the two year period is $225.

Postpartum Doula: The all inclusive fee for your membership privileges, certification, and business services for the one year period is $195.

Feel free to email me directly if you have any questions.

Good luck in whatever path you choose!

Tricia L Saxbury, CD (AmDN) babysteps@americandoulanetwork.com Baby Steps Birthing Solutions http://www.americandoulanetwork.com/babysteps Membership Coordinator, American Doula Network http://www.americandoulanetwork.com

-- Tricia Saxbury (babysteps@americandoulanetwork.com), July 01, 2001.


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