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Parent Resources

We are a professional organization for doulas in the Puget Sound area, including Seattle

What is a Postpartum Doula?

A Postpartum Doula cares for a new family in their home in the first few weeks following the birth of their baby.  A Postpartum Doula provides individually tailored emotional and practical support.


In this new time for a family, it can be very helpful to have an extra pair of hands. There are many changes and demands put on parents with the arrival of a new baby.  A Doula provides non-medical support and companionship, assists with newborn care and sibling adjustment, meal preparation and household organization.


As a non-judgmental caregiver, the Postpartum Doula assists the birthing parent with their recovery from the birth experience, allowing parents to focus on the needs of the new baby, helps the new family by demonstrating practical newborn care and supports their feeding method of choice.



Find Your Postpartum Doula

Services vary from family to family but often include:

What is a Birth Doula?

Birth doulas provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the laboring person before, during, and just after childbirth. Birth doulas can assist with birth in hospitals, birth centers and at home.


Benefits of doula support include reduced rates of medical interventions, increased satisfaction with birth experiences, and improved breastfeeding outcomes. NAPS Doulas connects families with doulas to ensure a smooth and nurturing transition into parenthood.

Find Your Birth Doula

Find Your Doula

NAPS is a membership organization that provides referrals of doulas to parents and parenting communities. There is no charge to parents or doulas for this referral service. All of our members are independent business owners who create and set their rates and contract terms. NAPS Doulas is not involved with any contract between you and your doula and makes no guarantees.


Doulas that NAPS refers must have current liability insurance, hands-on infant CPR (postpartum doulas), and criminal background check with Washington State Patrol. NAPS offers certification but does not require it. A NAPS Doula, whether certified or not, is required to perform their services in accordance with our Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, and Core Values and is subject to our Grievance Policy. Doulas may or may not be certified, while we have a certification program for postpartum  doulas, NAPS does not currently certify birth doulas. Many of our members are birth doulas who may be certified with other organizations.


To request a NAPS Doula, you can call, email or fill out a referral form(s) below; a NAPS representative will get back to you within 48 business hours.  We encourage families to begin their doula search early as doula's schedules may fill up quickly.

You will be provided with the names and contact info of three doulas who meet your criteria. We suggest you contact all three to find the best match for you and your family. 


Click below to Find Your Doula


Referral Line: (206) 956 1955

Referral Email: referrals@napsdoulas.com


Financial Assistance

Postpartum Doula Rates

  • Postpartum Doulas rates are typically $45.00 to $70.00 per hour in the Seattle area
  • Some Postpartum Doulas may offer a sliding scale
  • Some Postpartum Doulas may offer pro-bono services when their schedules allow


For families in financial need: Currently, NAPS Doulas does not have the funding to support a program to provide postpartum doulas to low income families. We do maintain a mailing list for doulas who may be able to provide reduced rate or pro-bono (no cost) support for low income families. If a doula is able to meet your needs, they will contact you directly. We can not guarantee that there will be doulas available.


Many doulas on this list:

  • have completed their training with a professionally recognized doula organization.
  • may be working towards certification with NAPS Doulas.
  • may be willing to exchange 8-hours of pro-bono or reduced rate support for an evaluation of their care.
  • are encouraged to charge a fee after evaluation.


Determining Financial Need

The following chart is derived from the 2024 Federal Poverty Level Chart and is based at 300% above the Poverty Level. Please use this chart to determine if you qualify for a reduced rate or pro-bono doula. When calculating number of family members, count your unborn baby as one if you have not yet delivered. We have provided both monthly and annual salaries for your consideration (gross income). If you determine that you qualify, please click the button below to fill out the Request a Reduced Rate Postpartum Doula form.

# of Family Members Monthly Salary Annual Salary
2 $5,110 $61,320
3 $6,455 $77,460
4 $7,800 $93,600
5 $9,145 $109,740
Request a Reduced Rate Postpartum Doula

Parent Evaluations

If you would like to leave an evaluation for a NAPS Doula you contracted with, please fill out the form below.

Parent Evaluation

You can also download the form, print, and mail to

1125 12th Ave #123,

Seattle WA, 98122


Thank You!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What can I expect from my NAPS doula?

    NAPS Board recently voted to become a full spectrum doula organization. This means we are expanding our offerings from postpartum to all areas of reproductive support. We are working on this organization wide shift and will soon be able to offer referrals for the full spectrum of doula support, not just postpartum and birth doulas. 


    Doulas may or may not be certified, while we have a certification program for postpartum  doulas, NAPS does not currently certify birth doulas. Many of our members are birth doulas who may be certified with other organizations.


    All referred NAPS doulas hold themselves to the same set of core values, standards, and ethics. Since each doula is an independent business owner, we encourage families to discuss training, experience, and rates with each doula individually.

  • Is there a fee for doula referrals?

    No, this is a service offered at no cost by NAPS Doulas to help connect local parents with doulas.  NAPS Doulas is not a nanny agency and does not profit from any referral given to parents.

  • What are typical postpartum doula rates?

    Most postpartum doulas are self-employed and set their own rates. The majority of doulas in the Seattle area are in the $45 – $70 per hour range. We encourage you to contact doulas personally for rate inquiries.

  • I need help and support with my newborn, but I cannot afford a postpartum doula. Do you have any options for me?

    We understand that not every family can afford the postpartum support they need. There are many doulas that will provide reduced cost or sliding scale care for families in need. Please review our Financial Assistance page to find out if you qualify for low cost doula care and to access instructions for requesting a low cost postpartum doula through our email list.

  • What are typical birth doula rates?

    The rate for birth doula support in the greater Seattle area ranges from $900 - $3500, with an average of $2045.   

    We encourage you to check your employer benefits and contact doulas personally for rate inquiries.

Local Resources

  • Perinatal Support Washington (PS-WA)

    Perinatal Support Washington (PS-WA)

    Offers warm phone line, support groups, and local resources for parents suffering with depression, anxiety or other perinatal mood disorders.

    Formerly known as Postpartum Support International of Washington, Perinatal Support Washington offers resources for perinatal mood disorders including anxiety and postpartum depression.

  • Open Arms Perinatal Services

    Open Arms Perinatal Services

    A local nonprofit providing doula support for low income families.

    Open Arms offers low income families strong community-based support through pregnancy, birth and postpartum. They have provided services to pregnant people and their families in the Puget Sound area since 1997.

  • Within Reach

    Within Reach

    Contact for more information on financial assistance with healthcare, food or other services.

    Within Reach connects families all over Washington with resources including Medicaid, CHIP, Basic Food and WIC.

  • Parent Trust for Washington Children

    Parent Trust for Washington Children

    To register for local parenting and childbirth classes.

    Founded in 1978, Parent Trust offers classes all over the Puget Sound that cover pregnancy, childbirth preparation, newborn care, skills for new parents, infant health and safety, and more.