There are many ways doulas set their prices and even whether or not to charge. Different doula organizations suggest different methods of whether, when and what to charge. I will go out on a limb (and may be disagreed with vehemently, I know) and discuss some ways that others I’ve spoken to have structured their pricing. Hopefully that will help you to decide what works best for you.

When you have a business it’s important to keep accurate records. Here are some ways to help:

Do you need to get malpractice insurance? Well, no, you really don’t. There haven’t been many cases of doulas getting sued. As long as you’re practicing in your scope, risk shouldn’t be high.

Why did you become a doula? What are your intentions for doing this work? Doulas enter this profession for many reasons. If you became a doula and your main intent is to do this as ministry work or to help friends and family, you may not necessarily have to classify your work as a business. If you became a doula as a way to earn income and eventually make a profit and you live in the U.S., you do have an obligation to make sure you are in compliance with state and IRS requirements.

If you love your birth work, chances are you’ve got lots of books. Lots of them. And what about organizing handouts for clients? Then there are the nifty tools we take to births. Here are a few tips to keep it all straight.