What Does It Cost to Hire a Doula?
If you're considering hiring a doula, you're likely wondering about the cost. Understanding the financial investment is an important step in your journey. Let's explore the pricing and value of doula services, particularly those tailored for neurodivergent families.
Understanding Doula Costs
Doula fees can vary based on several factors:
Experience and Specialization: Doulas with specialized training or extensive experience may charge higher fees.
Location: Costs can differ depending on the region and local market rates.
Scope of Services: Comprehensive packages that include prenatal, birth, and postpartum support tend to be more expensive.
It's essential to consider what services are included in the fee and how they align with your needs.
Tender.ly's Virtual Doula Services
At Tender.ly, we offer virtual doula services designed with neurodivergent families in mind. Our approach is inclusive, evidence-based, and tailored to support your unique journey.
VIP Package – $997
Our VIP Doula Support Package provides comprehensive care from pregnancy through postpartum. This package includes:
2-Hour Birth Planning Session: Collaborate with Alix to create a personalized birth plan.
4 × 30-Minute Ongoing Support Calls: Receive continuous support during your journey.
2-Hour Postpartum Planning Session: Prepare for life with a new baby, covering sleep, feeding, and more.
Text Message Support: Access real-time assistance for quick questions throughout the week.
This package is designed for parents seeking ongoing, high-touch support to feel prepared, supported, and confident at every stage.
Individual Sessions
For those seeking more flexibility, we offer individual virtual support sessions:
30-Minute Virtual Check-In – $100: Address pressing postpartum questions and challenges.
60-Minute Virtual Support – $175: Receive in-depth guidance on feeding, sleep, recovery, and emotional well-being.
These sessions are ideal for parents who need targeted support without committing to a full package.
Why Invest in a Doula?
Hiring a doula is an investment in your well-being and your family's future. Research indicates that doula support can lead to:
Reduced anxiety and fear during pregnancy and labor
Shorter labors and fewer medical interventions
Increased confidence in birth and parenting decisions
Better emotional adjustment postpartum
For neurodivergent parents, a doula skilled in sensory, communication, and emotional regulation needs can be a vital lifeline through overwhelming or inaccessible healthcare settings.
The cost of hiring a doula varies, but the most important thing is finding someone who honors you, your brain, and your unique birth journey. Whether you’re looking for gentle emotional support, advocacy in a medical setting, or postpartum guidance that respects your needs, a doula can be your trusted companion.
So, what now?
If learning about doula costs feels like the first step toward getting the support you deserve, welcome. There’s space here to find care that truly fits your unique needs.
At Tender.ly, I work with pregnant people, postpartum parents, and families who want doula support that respects sensory differences, communication styles, and executive functioning. Whether you have a formal diagnosis or simply know what feels right for you, you’re invited to show up as you are.
Not sure what kind of support fits your budget or your brain? Download our free guide: Navigating Pregnancy as a Neurodivergent Parent or book a 1:1 session to talk through your options.
Remember, there’s nothing wrong with the way you think, feel, or show up. You are not too much — you are enough, exactly as you are.
This blog was written by Alix, a dedicated doula in Montreal, Canada, and the founder of TENDER.LY. She provides expert pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and infant feeding support to help families feel confident and cared for. Whether you're preparing for birth, navigating the fourth trimester, or looking for feeding guidance, Alix offers compassionate, personalized support.