General Questions

what are the steps to reserve a doula or specialist?

1. Complete our care questionnaire.

2. We'll review your requests and send you matches based on the information included in your care questionnaire. Your matches will include 1-4 pre-screened providers that best meet your care needs, budget and requested experience level.

3. You’ll receive access to their online profiles with more information about them, their services and pricing.

4. You let us know which matches you’d like to interview.

5. Your preferred matches will reach out to you directly to introduce themselves and schedule an interview.

6. You pick your top choice and we’ll help you finalize the hiring process.

7. Rest easy, knowing you've checked one more thing off your to do list!

What are the qualifications required to join your team?

• Every single doula or specialist on our team has been personally vetted and interviewed by owners, Chelsea & Lauren. When screening each member we verify formal training and/or certification in their field, conduct a thorough background check, review personal & professional references, confirm CPR + First Aid certification, receive a copy of their personal liability insurance for our files and conduct a face-to-face interview.

  Trust that when you receive a match through Doulas of Orange County that you’ll be receiving a top notch, professional doula/specialist and the most compassionate care through pregnancy, birth & postpartum.

What areas do you serve?

• We have doulas all over Southern California including all of Orange County, Long Beach, the Inland Empire, San Diego, and Los Angeles. We even have members in Austin, Detroit, Chicago, Denver, and those who regularly travel for work. We are constantly expanding our team and service area.

how much does your service cost?

• Our matching service is completely free to new and expecting parents! When you are ready to interview a doula, newborn care specialist, sleep coach or find a lactation consultant, our maternity concierges will provide you with personalized matches. All payments for birth and/or postpartum doula, sleep consulting and additional services are reserved directly through the individual providers.

How do the doulas or specialists on your team determine their service fees?

• Actual rates are set by each individual doula/specialist but you can select the match that best fits your budget and care needs. When filling out our care questionnaire we ask that you include details about your budget so we can take that into account when matching.

• Rates are based on more than just the number of clients they have worked with or years of experience. When setting their rates each member takes into account additional training & continuing education, life experience, expenses, etc. but will also include skill set and extent of trainings completed. The lower end of the scale is generally for newer doulas with less field experience, while the higher end of the pricing scale offers more field experience and speciality services like custom postpartum meal preparation, belly binding, herbal support and more.

• Postpartum Doula rates range between $40 and $75 an hour, with the average rate being $50/hr for single babies and $60/hr for multiples.

• Birth Doula rates range between $1200 and $5000, with the average rate being $2000. Virtual Doula rates tend to be slightly less than in-person doula support.

• Lactation Consultation rates range between $150 and $300

• Placenta Encapsulation rates range between $300 and $450

• Sleep Consulting packages range between $500 and $10,500 depending on package purchased.

Postpartum Support

How long is a visit with a postpartum doula or newborn care specialist?

• Daytime care is generally between 4 and 8 hours per visit, while overnight care is typically between 8 and 12 hours per visit. Families can also choose 24 hour live-in care where 1 or 2 providers work together to provide around the clock newborn support. Each postpartum doula or newborn care specialist is unique in what they offer and we encourage you to share your schedule preferences with us in your care questionnaire so we can match you doulas or specialists that meet your needs.

how can a postpartum doula help me?

• There are an incredible number of benefits to hiring a postpartum doula or newborn care specialist. They provide education, resources, emotional support, and guidance through the 4th trimester. For more information on what a typical daytime or overnight visit can look like visit the Postpartum Doula page on our website.

• Read More on A Morning With Your Postpartum Doula

• Read More on Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 of What Does a Postpartum Doula Do?

Is a postpartum doula the same as a baby nurse?

• Postpartum Doulas and Newborn Specialists are not “baby nurses.” This is a question we get a lot, and yes, they are quite different. While some families hire night nurses or baby nurses for overnight care and feedings, these providers are not required to carry any specific certifications or have any specialty training. In fact, the term “baby nurse” or “night nurse” is misleading because they are not in fact medical nurses. All postpartum doulas and newborn care specialists with Doulas of Orange County are formally trained/certified by an accredited body (DONA, CAPPA, DTI, etc), have their Infant CPR certification and have professional liability insurance.

• Read More on Postpartum Doula or Baby Nurse? What You Need to Know

My baby is already born, can I still hire a doula OR NCS?

• Yes, absolutely! While many of our team members book up 3-6 months in advance, we will do our best to find you a match. Fill out our care questionnaire and select the option for expedited support and we’'ll reach out within 24-48 hours to get you support ASAP!

WHAT DOES AN OVERNIGHT VISIT WITH A NEWBORN CARE SPECIALIST LOOK LIKe?

• Whether there for 8, 10, or 12 hour visits your doula or specialist will provide emotional and practical support for postpartum recovery and newborn care. They will help feed, change, and put your baby back to sleep throughout the night so you can get loads of rest! For those that are breastfeeding, your doula can bring your baby to you throughout the night to eat and once baby is done feeding, they will burp and help settled your little one back to sleep. Other accommodations can be also be made for pumping & breastfeeding based on your preferences.

• Please note that your doula or specialist may lightly rest when your newborn is sleeping. Based on your preferences, they can stay in your baby’s room or they can bring the basinet into a guest room or living room if preferred. This way they are able to quickly respond to baby’s needs throughout the night.

What do I need to provide for my Newborn Care Specialist?

• It is always important during overnight or 24-hour care that your newborn care specialist or postpartum doula be comfortable. We suggest for 24/7 care that your specialist has access to a private bedroom and private bathroom as well as internet access. At minimum, a bed and storage space for personal items should be provided. If providing overnight care a couch or blow-up mattress is an acceptable sleep/rest space, however couches or recliners are not ideal for 24/7 care. You can discuss preferences directly with the person you hire so you can find the best solution for everyone.

• For 24-hour care it is also expected that you provide food and beverages for the duration of the placement. If your specialist or doula has any dietary considerations, they will discuss them with you directly.

• Additionally, when providing 24/7 live-in care your specialist or doula should be given a 4-5 hour break each day. These hours will be discussed and agreed upon together with your specialist. It is crucial for your newborn care specialist to get daily uninterrupted sleep in order to stay healthy and provide the best quality of care for your family. These breaks are generally used to shower, nap, and take care of personal needs.

can a postpartum doula or newborn care specialist help me with sleep training?

• Possibly. Some of our doulas and specialists are also qualified sleep trainers or sleep consultants and could assist you in assessing and implementing healthy sleep habits for your newborn. For 3-6 month contracts, you may find that sleep shaping is a good option for your family. For questions about other sleep options, scroll down to our “Sleep Support” section.

Birth
Doula

What is included when I hire an orange county birth doula?

• Each member of our team offers their own packages, style of care and personal touch. With a birth doula, you'll receive emotional, physical and educational support throughout your pregnancy, labor and early postpartum.

• Most doulas include 1-3 prenatal meetings in their birth packages which focus on building a relationship, navigating your plans for birth, and engaging in confidence boosting activities to prepare you for your baby's arrival. In-person labor support at your home or hospital is also provided, along with continued support immediately after your baby arrives to help facilitate bonding. Many birth doulas include 2-4 additional weeks of postpartum phone and email support as well.

• Several birth doulas on our team also include specialty packages which include private childbirth education, prenatal coaching, placenta encapsulation and belly binding or vaginal steaming for postpartum.

are doulas covered by insurance?

• Birth doulas are not medical care providers and therefore cannot bill insurance and are generally not covered by most insurance providers. However, many clients have been successful in utilizing HSA/FSA funds to cover their doula fees. We recommend you speak to your HSA/FSA administrator to find out the necessary steps to get your doula's fees covered.

There seems to be a wide price range for birth doula services. What determines a birth doula’s fee?

• All of the doulas and specialists on our team set their own rate which will vary depending upon their certifications, field experience, skill set and additional trainings. Some offer a flat fee for birth doula services, while others offer packages that include a variety of services bundled together. Fees for birth doulas on our platform range from $900-$6000. None of our doulas provide services for free, as their time, training, and experience is valuable.

I plan to get an epidural, can i still hire a doula?

• Of course! Our affiliated doulas are supportive of your individual birth choices and preferences, whatever they might be. Should you choose to have epidural in labor, your birth doula will still continue to provide incredible support.

• Birth doulas are available to help you at home while you are in labor, help you navigate when to go to the hospital, provide physical or emotional support, and more throughout labor. This support doesn’t end if your birth plans change, however, HOW your doula provides support may shift based on how your birth unfolds.

do you have virtual doulas available in orange county?

• Yes, in the time of COVID, many doulas have begun providing virtual doula support, which is easily accessible for families across the world! You can read more about Virtual Doula support here and select that option in your care questionnaire.

• Read More on Your Virtual Birth Doula - ways she can help even when she's not in the room!

• Read More on Virtual Doula Support - essential now more than ever!