Birth doula

Expectant parents who want continuous, personal support alongside their midwives, paying you directly.

A fixed package fee per birth, usually covering antenatal visits, on-call availability and a postnatal visit. Income depends on how many births you take each month.

• Calm, kind and a good listener
• Comfortable staying neutral and supporting others' choices
• Reliable and able to be on call at short notice

• Doulas are not regulated by law in the UK, so check what training and professional standards clients will expect
• Insurance suitable for doulas, and whether a DBS check is needed
• Being on call is unpredictable, so plan backup cover with another doula and arrange childcare
• Hospitals and trusts may have their own rules on birth partners, so check these with clients
• Stay within your role and never give medical advice

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £500 to £2,500, depending on the training you choose, insurance and basic materials. Treat this as an estimate and compare what different courses and providers charge.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £500 to £2,500, depending on how many clients you support and what you charge. The estimate assumes about 8 hours a week or more, and being on call is unpredictable.

Doulas are not regulated by law in the UK, so check what training and professional standards clients expect. Also check suitable insurance, whether a DBS check is needed, and hospital or trust rules on birth partners. Never give medical advice.