I've been taking actively seeking doula clients, since I feel Ivy is old enough to be left with Daddy. Being the quintessential Momma's-girl, she'd hate it the first few times, but I miss births.
I'm excited that I've been getting calls again. I have a meeting with some prospective clients this Tuesday, although I am still awaiting emailed directions. I just got another call and chatted with a mama, but I don't think I felt a good vibe off that one. I think she was disappointed that I haven't had more births. I've had a lot more clients than births, thanks to several volunteer births who didn't call me. Then I had the baby and have been on break.
It's discouraging, because I only need *one more* birth to get my certification-- and it's due in September. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this couple I'm meeting Tuesday. We chatted for a little while on the phone and seemed to mesh well. I hope the fee doesn't drive them off, but I can't afford to do volunteer births anymore. We're just struggling too hard, and it actually costs money to do volunteer births.
So hopefully I will have another client soon! I'm really hoping to get the ball rolling again, and my ultimate goal is to have one birth per month. We'll see how long it takes to reach that goal.
I'm excited that I've been getting calls again. I have a meeting with some prospective clients this Tuesday, although I am still awaiting emailed directions. I just got another call and chatted with a mama, but I don't think I felt a good vibe off that one. I think she was disappointed that I haven't had more births. I've had a lot more clients than births, thanks to several volunteer births who didn't call me. Then I had the baby and have been on break.
It's discouraging, because I only need *one more* birth to get my certification-- and it's due in September. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this couple I'm meeting Tuesday. We chatted for a little while on the phone and seemed to mesh well. I hope the fee doesn't drive them off, but I can't afford to do volunteer births anymore. We're just struggling too hard, and it actually costs money to do volunteer births.
So hopefully I will have another client soon! I'm really hoping to get the ball rolling again, and my ultimate goal is to have one birth per month. We'll see how long it takes to reach that goal.
- Current Mood:
optimistic - Current Music:While I was dancing I fell in love ...
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Comments
I have also started charging clients. Not very much (very little, actually), but I think I'll up my fee every two births or so. Unless they are really in need (young/alone/etc) they can cover my gas fees and some of my cell phone expenses until my doula practice is really up and running in the future.
Anyway. Yay births.
Even with my volunteer births, I wrote a Gifting clause into my contract. Every client I have ever volunteered services for has paid me something. It's just that with two kids in diapers, Josh losing one of his jobs, and us needing to climb out of a hole, I can't feel guilty about charging what I'm worth. And I know people out there can afford to pay me relatively low fees. So I am doing a lot of positive manifestation. :)
How do you go about getting clients? I am still having really crappy luck!
Ha ha - I'm one of the people who answered your question in the doula community. ;)
Congrats on going crunchy. That's my favorite way to be. Here's a good link for marketing:
LJ doula group
Just remember: One woman at a time. :)
I love your icon. So cute!
I didn't charge anything for my first 'trainee' clients, but for these two I'm charging expenses, and they're both happy with that. This is great for me as they're both 40-60 minutes drive from my home. :)
I did my 'trainee' births free, but I wouldn't recommend it anymore. In my area we have a lot of Medicaid moms (me included), so I thought it would be easier to get births that way. It ended up being harder, IMO. People - at least here in the US - respect what they have to pay for. :( Fine by me. From now on, I have no qualms about charging what I'm worth, although I'll happily work with someone if they need it.
I actually saw a show on alternative birthing methods about two months ago, it was neat and very informative. Too bad I can't remember the show...though it was following all those "baby" shows on now a days. I can't seem to get enough of those, even when I wasn't pregnant heh.
I'd LOVE to be your doula if I was in the area! Actually, I have a good internet friend in Baltimore who may want me to come out and be her doula for her birth. I'm still not sure how the travelling thing goes, but I'll definitely post about it if that works out.