Labor Doula Training Affordability
The most common question we get about affordability revolves around the total total total cost of getting certified. Let's break it down below, program by program.
Labor Doula Certification Program:
$675 Self-Paced Study Pathway Enrollment Tuition
+Required Books
~$20 - Preparing for a Gentle Birth By: Blandine Calais-Germain
~$10 - Labor Pain By: Henci Goer
+Credentialing Application Fee
$99 (later, at the time of application)
+Yearly Professional Association Membership Fee
$79 - First year is free and this fee is for subsequent years
So, TOTAL TOTAL after those fees = ~$705 to get started
with "Later" Fees = $99 creds app + $79 yearly membership
Labor Doula incomes around the country:
Lower income areas:
Newer doulas earn ~$750-950 per client
Doulas who have been practicing a while would earn $1250-1500 per client
Higher income areas:
Newer doulas earn ~$1500-1950 per client
Doulas who have been practicing a while would earn $2250-3500 per client
Can you think of any other vocation where you would spend less than you earn to get started?
Me neither!
Your Return On Investment is high and definitely worth it, if your heart is in it!
Here is a little explanation I sent to an aspiring doula this morning and
I hope it will help you to understand the costs too. :)
and where can you go to get signed up for the Labor Doula Self Paced Pathway to certification?
Right here:
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Dear Student,
Thank you for your inquiry and the thoughtful question as you prepare to enter this journey of becoming a doula!
I wanted to answer your question on pricing.
Firstly, yes, there are a few fees that come along the way in addition to the enrollment tuition:
1. Books - there are 2 required reading books for the Labor Doula program (5 for the combo) and these books can be obtained however you like. Some students prefer audiobooks, ebooks, or good old fashioned paper :) Most of the books we require are under $25 each but there is one breastfeeding book that can run $40 depending on where you find it.
2. Credentialing Application Fees - When you complete the program and you’re applying for your international board certification credentials, there is a $99 fee for each credential (labor, postpartum, lactation, etc) and the reason we keep this separate is that it makes it easier to pay this later, when you’ve completed everything, and also because some people want the education, but don’t need the official transcript and credential. So they have the option of skipping that part.
3. Membership Fees - due to expanded requirements by states with medicaid reimbursement, carrot, and other client funding sources, we have been required to have our students maintain an active, professional membership. This is industry standard and most professions that maintain an accountability to the public have the same. However, we have done what we can to make this as easy as possible :) So we provide you with a free first year, included in your enrollment fees and then after 365 days have passed, you would pay $79 to continue the professional association membership. We also work really hard to provide our students with LOTS of benefits that come along with membership, including a free web directory for students and graduates to connect with clients that we recently rolled out among other things like continuing education, each student is assigned mentors, we also have private groups for peer support, weekly study groups and mentoring hours and so much more!!
The next thing I wanted to say is that one paying client can end up completely covering your educational investment. The Return On Investment is insane LOL
So even if you’re spending $1100 let’s just say, for easy math, but most doulas charge over $1500 for a client package. So you can see, how this is a quick and easy way to start using your education and get to earning your money back and then some…
I hope this long explanation helped, but let me know if you continue to have questions and you can also send a text to 929-547-9473 with any questions or if you need help. We are here for you!
Warm Blessings,
Anne Wallen
Director, MaternityWise International
929-547-9473 (WISE)
Registrations Office
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