Anonymous wrote:Anyone know how to find an apprentice--you give them more experience, they give you a lower rate? This is my 3rd time to the party, I don't necessarily need someone with lots of experience.

I looked high & low for a student/low-cost doula, but had little luck. I do know of one in Alexandria, Jenna Nichols. (http://doulamatch.net/profile/4374/jenna-nichols)

I ended up making a post on the Birth Options Alliance list serv saying that I was looking for a low cost option with my specific budget requirements and a number of doulas emailed me saying that they were interested. I think for some people, having business at a reduced cost was better than no business at all. If you're in a similar situation, I would suggest trying that.

Doulamatch.com is also another resource you can check. It has doula profiles and includes their pricing, # of births etc.

Write to the BirthOptionsAlliance list. They are wonderful and I often see posts there for student doulas or doulas who will work for free. If you are delivering at FHBC, the doulas there are free. I believe Aza Nedhari charges a bit less since she is working towards a certification.

LOVE Shayla Boyd-Gill. She absolutely helped me achieve the birth I wanted.

Anyone know how to find an apprentice--you give them more experience, they give you a lower rate? This is my 3rd time to the party, I don't necessarily need someone with lots of experience.

I'm a local doula and I just wanted to suggest that if you find someone amazing (like most of the above mentioned doulas are), but she ends up being booked up for your due date, I think that you should ask that doula for her specific recommendations for other doulas who are similar with regard to philosophy and approach. The list of doulas in the original post are perhaps the most "popular" doulas so they are well known and well connected. I'm sure they wouldn't mind sharing the names of their back-up doulas or others who they would recommend and trust.
Best of luck to everyone searching! <3

Ursula. She's amazing! Using her for #3. She's so knowlegable ablout everything - pregnancy, health, positions, exercise, nutrition, birth, breastfeeding, etc. Just a wealth of info. She accessible - always emails or calls back and is a powerhouse. We love her! She's open to you preferences, wishes and desires. I can't say enough good things about her. She does fill up fast, though. I truly think she's the best around, imo. Good luck!

Sara Baum was on my list but not available for my date. We went with Caitlin Givens and she was WONDERFUL.

Claudia was my doula in 2010. I can see why she may have mixed reviews, but I can tell you that she was a rock star doula for my birth. She was not cuddly and affectionate in the weeks leading up to the birth, but on game day, she was very compassionate and supportive. I would use her again. Plus, she was friendly with all the nurses at my hospital (Sibley), and guided me through an unexpected non-natural birth with lots of kindness and expertise (more than 24 hours after my water broke, I hadn't dilated enough, so I had to get pitocin). I felt fully comfortable with her knowledge as she helped me navigate a birth outside my birth plan.

We loved Sara Baum. Claudia has mixed reviews.

Ursula is great, but pricy. Sara Baum was on our short list, but filled up too fast - she's a back up for our current doula though, so we'll see!

We recently contacted Sara Baum. She's not taking clients with June due dates.

A second nod for Sara Baum!

I highly recommend Sara Baum.

After reading the other posts, I realized I need to figure out doula arrangements. I am trying to narrow down my list of doulas. Don't flame me but my preferences veer towards the crunchy-granola and I want somebody who is 'nurturing'. Any thoughts on folk on this list?

Sara Shelley
Shayla Boyd-Gill
Ursula Sukinik
Claudia Booker
Sara Baum