The Business of Maternity Care : A Guide for Midwives and Doulas Setting Up in Private Practice

This is a guide for midwives and doulas who want to set up a private maternity-related business. Included is advice on business issues such as marketing and pricing, and debate around the professional, legal and ethical issues. There are also activities and exercises to help the reader set up their business, as well as case studies throughout.

This book provides a guide for midwives and doulas who want to establish a maternity-related business offering services such as pregnancy complementary therapies, antenatal classes, lactation support or full doula care. The book is designed to help potential entrepreneurs explore whether this is the right decision for them and provides guidance on the legal, financial and business aspects of setting up in private practice, specifically tailored to maternity care. Advice is given on marketing and pricing and there is debate around the professional and ethical issues for midwives and doulas, including avoiding conflicts of interest and maintaining professional integrity. Case studies of midwives and doulas who have taken the step to set up in private practice are included, and there are various activities to help the reader with their personal plans for their business.