06/19/2026
Y’all thought I wasn’t going to address this - but as somebody who’s been in birth work for about 8+ years, here goes -
There is a huge difference between charging a livable wage and what you’re worth, keeping up with industry standards, and straight up taking advantage of pregnant families and the high cost of living + inflation.
1. You SHOULD BE lining up backup support for every birth. I know that’s hard. I know it takes work. I know you LIKELY won’t need them. But how are yall out here missing births and keeping the entire birth fee? If you miss a birth and fail to provide support, you refund the birth fee, and that should be outlined in your contract. If you’re keeping birth fees for births you abandoned clients, please know you’re giving a bad name to birthworkers everywhere.
2. When you interview new families you should be transparent about your training, experience, or lack there of. The right people will find you. Dancing around the subject of experience in an industry where experience = knowledge again begs me to question your ethical integrity.
3. The going rate for doula birth services in Milwaukee, WI is $1200-$2000. NEW doulas usually charge on the lower end of normal in order to gain experience. Some offer services for steep discount to gain skills and knowledge (though I can’t say I condone free services). Please know that you’re getting what you pay for. Though I whole-heartedly believe there is a doula for every client, you’re going to have a hard time convincing me why you’re charging $2250 as a new doula who’s attended 5 births, and two of those were your own 🤔👀
Questions for new families to ask when interviewing:
1. How many births have you attended and in what capacity?
2. Tell me a bit about your training and background.
3. If I were to be induced with pitocin, how might you help me advocate to achieve a vaginal birth?
4. Can you help me understand some of the common methods of induction?
5. How might you support me in the event that a cesarean became necessary?
6. What is all included in your birth fee?
7. Who is your backup doula in the event you’re unavailable?
8. At what point will you arrive in labor?
