1 Wear flat shoes or shoes with low heels (1 inch or lower). 2  Lift with your knees, not your back!  Use sturdy shoes with a good tread. All the weight will be on your legs, which are strong muscles, and by extension on your feet. Good shoes will help to prevent accidents.
A birth doula is a trained labor coach who assists you during labor and delivery. She provides you with continuous emotional support, as well as assistance with other non-medical aspects of your care. Doulas charge several hundred to a thousand dollars for their services, which are seldom covered by health insurance.
Have you just added another year of service to the length of time you have been working as a doula? That is something to celebrate. For a variety of reasons, some doulas do not continue to do birth or postpartum work year after year. The fact that you have completed another year in the service of expectant and new families is a valid reason to raise your fees.