Money Matters for Doulas

7 considerations when putting your contract together.

Scenario 1: Your Client hasn’t paid their balance due…

It’s always tricky when your client doesn’t pay their balance when it’s due after signing a contract. This can happen - and likely will - at some time in your career.

It’s important that your contact outlines the expected payment dates. I recommend a 50% retainer of the total fee at signing and the remainder due by 36 or 37 weeks. Have your client write that date that the payment is due into the contract by hand. It will help jog their memory that there is an actual date that they need to pay by. Your contract should state that the contract is null and void if the payment is not received and that the retainer paid at signing will not be returned.

Most times, your client has simply forgotten and a friendly reminder is well received. Here’s what to say:

“I wanted to touch base about your remaining balance for your birth doula services. According to the signed contract, the final payment was due on (insert date). I know that time can get away from us and it’s easy to miss a payment. Let me know when I should expect your final payment so that we can stay on track for your upcoming labor and birth. See you soon!”

Keeping the message light, but clear, helps to keep boundaries and protects your time, your energy, and your income!

Scenario 2: Your Client asks for a discount

Whether it’s a first-time inquiry or a returning client, sooner or later someone will ask about a discount.

Here’s a gracious way to respond that honors your value and professionalism — without sounding defensive or grouchy:

“I don’t offer discounts on my services, as that wouldn’t be fair to my full-paying clients who have already invested in my care. My pricing reflects my education, experience, and the level of support I provide. If the investment is outside your budget, I’d be happy to refer you to a wonderful doula who will fit your budget.”

Why say this? 
Because it communicates that your time, expertise, and care are valuable — and that you respect both your current clients and the person inquiring. Confidence in your worth attracts clients who value you, too.

And, if they still push you for a discount, stand firm and ask them: “Does your hair dresser give you a discount because you are a return client?” You can bet that the answer is “Nope!”

Scenario 3: How to pay your Back Up Doula (BUD)

Generously! Really!‍ ‍

I pay my BUD the way I would want my time and energy honored. For me, this means, usually $75/hour from the time the doula leaves her home to the time she returns - up to half of the doula fee. Why Half? Because you will have put plenty of work in already: securing the client, prenatal visits and education, connecting her in her community with other parents and providers. Don’t discount what you bring to the table just because you didn’t attend all or only some of the labor and birth. By paying the BUD well, she is happy, does a great job, and is willing to BUD for you again. It’s a WIN for me, for the BUD, and for the client.

BTW - If it is a particularly hairy birth (physically or emotionally) I will pay her more. I want her to feel appreciated and her time away from home worth it. Even if that means that I am not making as much for my time invested. I also want her to be excited to be called again to BUD for me in the future.

Honor your Back Up Doula. It will pay you back in spades.

Scenario 4: Your client’s birth plan changes and she has a scheduled cesarean birth

Your contract must cover this ( and every scenario under heaven!).

You will need to decide how you want to financially handle this. Here is how I do this (and you can do it this way, too, if you choose. This is an important discussion to have before the contract is signed during your consultation. Many clients will want support before and directly after the cesarean. I will arrive at the hospital with my client in the morning and wait with them until she goes to the OR. During her cesarean birth, I tidy up the room and get things ready for her return or get things ready to transfer to Mother-Baby. I generally stay about 2 hours after or until I feel like they are ready for quiet, alone time with their new baby.

If a client wants to cancel the contract before 37 weeks because she is having a cesarean, I will return the balance due minus the 50% retainer. The 50% retainer stands because it covers all of the care, education, connections and more that you have already provided. If she cancels after 37 weeks, the full fee is retained.

TIP: Give the partner a stick of xylitol chewing gum for their beloved to chew after surgery. It will help bowel function to recover more quickly and reduce the risk of post cesarean ileus by more than 60% when they chew this kind of gum every 15 mins in the first 2 hours after birth. Read this study for more on this.

Scenario 5: Your client has a miscarriage or a fetal loss

I keep this pretty simple:

If I provide in-person support to them through the labor and /or loss, I don’t refund my fee.

If I don’t provide in-person support, then I refund and I don’t even ask. I just do it.

In either case,I keep tabs on them and do a postpartum visit and leave extra time for that visit. Sometimes, I will do more than one visit. I keep tabs on her and her partner.

For a loss, do I go to the funeral or service? Yes, If I am asked to attend, I do. If not, I assume that it is a family matter and respect their privacy. I do send a card with a hand-written message.

Scenario 6: You missed your client’s birth because you didn’t hear the phone.

This is bad. Honestly. But, it could happen. And I suggest that you do everything in your power to make amends.

It hasn’t happened to me (yet) but it could and here is what I would do.

Make sure that you tell them numerous time AND it should be in your contract that they must call you if they text first and don’t hear back from you in 5 mins. They must call!

If they called and you didn’t hear the phone, you owe them their whole fee (in my opinion) as you did not fulfill your end of the contract. Even if you provided all sorts of care prenatally…They hired you for the birth. And. You. Missed. It .

Believe me, they will not understand. They will be mad. They will likely leave a bad review and trash your name in the mom’s groups. It is NOT WORTH IT to get defensive. . Eat that humble pie and return their money, do a postpartum visit with flowers and bells. Make it up to them in some way. One bad review is not worth you getting defensive. NOT WORTH IT.

Scenario 7: Your client has a precipitous birth

Oh those babies who just can’t wait!!!

If your client has a speedy delivery (unplanned at home, in the car, in triage, or in the Dunkin Donuts parking lot - true story!) and you didn’t get there in time for the birth, you still go and get there as soon as you can! I tend to stay for a longer period of time after the birth because this can be a lot for the parents to process. A LOT.

I do not return money because of a precipitous birth. I give them excellent post-birth and postpartum care! Take lots of pictures and laugh with them about how fast this baby wanted to be earthside!

These are simply my suggestions and things to consider when putting together your contract and your ethics. I would always keep in mind that a bad review is NEVER worth it. But, this is your business and you can choose how you want to do things. That’s the beauty of being your own boss, right?