The Birth Geeks' Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Birth Geeks, where we delve into practical and essential topics for doulas. In this episode, TBG 56, join hosts Dr. Hillary Melchiors and Dr. Robin Elise Weiss as they navigate the complex world of setting and raising doula fees.

Discover why it’s crucial to understand your value and charge sustainably, how cost of living impacts your rates, and the importance of balancing personal financial goals to avoid burnout. We'll also discuss how to respond to client pushback about fees, strategies for offering discounts without undervaluing your services, and recognizing when it’s time to increase your fees.

With insights into tailoring service packages, maintaining transparent communication, and advocating for proper compensation, this episode is packed with expert advice to help you thrive in your doula career. Stay tuned as we empower you to confidently set and adjust your rates, ensuring both your well-being and that of your clients.

Overview

• Discussion on doulas raising fees for sustainable income.
• Importance of charging a livable wage and recognizing when to adjust rates.
• Factors for increasing rates include:
  • Experience from multiple births.
  • Rising living costs.
  • Preventing burnout and ensuring job satisfaction.
  • Full calendar indicating high demand.
• Timing for rate increases should focus on future bookings.
• Awareness of local market rates and community positioning is essential.
• New skills or certifications can justify fee hikes.
• Comparison of fee structures across regions, e.g., California.
• Personal financial goals are crucial to avoid burnout.
• Use "doula-of-fee algebra" for pricing strategy.
• Consider yearly expenses in financial planning.
• Strategies for discussing rate increases with returning clients.
• Clearly explain value and handle objections confidently.
• Mistakes are part of business growth.
• Confidently state fees without justification to unsuitable clients.
• Advocate for fair compensation for doula work.
• Consider tiered packages or early signing incentives.
• Maintain prenatal visits for effective support.
• Regularly review rates based on experience and feedback.
• Communicate rate changes transparently and in advance.
• Prepare for pushback on fees with strategies.
• Prioritize financial security for mental health and sustainability.
• Utilize resources like doula fee calculators and cost of living data.
• Engage clients in discussions about fee adjustments.

Links Mentioned in this Episode

• Cost of Living Information
• Doula Fee Calculator

Welcome back to The Birth Geeks podcast! In today's episode, hosts Hillary Melchiors and  Robin Elise Weiss catch up after a long break and dive into a range of exciting updates and developments in the birth and doula community. They talk about Hillary's upcoming trip to France for the European Doula Network conference and reflect on their busy year, including Hillary's rebrand of her doula agency. From discussing the challenges of balancing doula work with personal life to sharing insights from recent conferences and legislative advocacy efforts, this episode is packed with valuable information and heartfelt moments. Stay tuned as they also hint at upcoming topics and interviews that will enrich the birth and doula community. Let's get started!

Links mentioned in this show:

• Cost of Living
• Doula Fee Calculator
• EPDUS-US (Mental Health Screening Tool)

Overview

• Hosts Hillary and Robin reconnect after a long break.
• They discuss a road trip from Louisville to Minneapolis.
• Hillary prepares for the European Doula Network in France.
• They reflect on their busy lives and roles in DONA International.
• Robin organized the Doulas Doing Business Summit for business management support.
• They share challenges doulas face in balancing passion and business.
• Hillary is involved in academic activities related to doulas.
• Both discuss personal challenges, including Hillary's house fire.
• They reflect on parenting and the transition to becoming empty nesters.
• A recent vacation sparked a desire for more travel and reading.
• The speaker advocates for doulas and perinatal mental health screening.
• They highlight legislative progress for doulas and maternal care improvement.
• The agency's rebranding and certification efforts are mentioned.
• Emphasis on community outreach and agency operations amid challenges.
• Upcoming plans include discussions on rebranding and financial sustainability.
• Excitement about interviews and research on perinatal mental health.
• The speaker shares a personal experience attending a memorial for Penny Simkin.
• Light-hearted discussion on fame preferences and humorous birth community anecdotes.

Nurses and doulas working together for culture change is a dream team, and we're breaking down what needs to change about hospital birth in this episode as well as career pivots, online teaching, and so much more in the birth world. 

Elizabeth M. Johnson talks to Dr. Hillary Melchiors about trauma informed care, empathy vs. kindness, and shifting her When Survivors Give Birth course online in this 38th episode of The Birth Geeks Podcast. 

Kelli Brien talks about the many aspects that drew her to birth work and how she's moved within the system to help make it a just an equitable place for all birthing people.

Dr. Amy Brown discusses working with families around choices for infant feeding, breastfeeding grief, and more! 

Ever dreamed of what you would say if someone asked you how to change things to improve maternity care? In this episode, we talk about being asked that exact question as doulas and scholars, and how we approach those answers. Hint: it doesn't just involve changing the pictures hanging on the walls. 

Darcy Sauers is the founder of The Postpartum Doula Academy and has been a DONA certified postpartum doula since 2010.  She talks to The Birth Geeks today to emphasize that we need to band together as birth workers – it’s about collaboration NOT competition. And Hillary and Darcy lament about how we spend a lot of time trying to explain what doulas do before we can ever get to the “hire me” phase!

Training nursing students to be doulas helps them no matter where they end up working according to Barbara Hotelling. She talks all about the Duke-la program she helped start, creative ways to test for anemia in resource constrained places around the world, and so much more. You'll love this conversation between her and Robin on this 33rd episode of our podcast.

We talk to Denise Bolds of Bold Doula in New York City. They talk about Denise’s journey to becoming a doula and being a Black doula and what that makes hospital staff think when she’s working with her clients. Denise explains how we’re always evolving and shares her outlook going forward. Enjoy our conversation with the amazing Denise Bolds.