Sliding scale

At Wildwood Birth, we believe that every family deserves compassionate and empowering birth support, regardless of financial circumstance. To help make our birth doula services more accessible, some members of our doula collective offer sliding scale options based on income and need. This approach allows families to receive personalized care while honoring their unique financial situations.

Below, you will find detailed information about our sliding scale structure and guidance to help you determine where you might fall it. Our goal is to help ensure that financial barriers do not stand in the way of the nurturing support you deserve during childbirth.

 
Portland birth doula gives hands on support to pregnant person, sitting on a bed

The Growing Tree

To use The Growing Tree sliding scale, read the descriptions below to determine which stage best represents your family’s needs and capacity. Doulas are able to offer a limited number of spots to Sprouts and Seedlings throughout the year. Should you fall into one of those categories, you will then select your rate on your doula’s sliding scale accordingly.

Determining Need

In recent years, we've seen meaningful progress around doula access in Oregon—more employers and state programs are beginning to recognize the critical importance of doula care, and some are offering or mandating insurance coverage for these essential services. Still, for many families, doula support remains an out-of-pocket expense. And while this work is deeply heart-centered, it is also labor-intensive, requiring significant time, training, and emotional presence from the doulas who offer it.

We believe everyone deserves informed, nurturing care during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum—regardless of income. Until there is a consistent, equitable system in place that fully supports all birthing people, some of our doulas choose to offer a sliding scale for birth doula services as a way to bridge the gap.

We use a visual tool (below)—The Growing Tree, adapted from Alexis J. Cunningfolk’s Green Bottle Sliding Scale—to help families identify where they fall on the scale. This allows us to reserve donated funds and reduced-cost options for those who need them most, while honoring the value and protecting the sustainability of our doulas’ work.

A small green sprout emerging from dry leaves on the forest floor repre Pregnancy Photography Portland

The Sprout

You are just starting to grow and need lots of support during this time. If you are in this stage, economic circumstances are a reality that limits your access to services. You often struggle with meeting your basic needs, you qualify for government assistance (including food stamps and health care), you have no access to savings, and you cannot afford new items without experiencing financial burden.

Supported access: You would benefit most from the lower end of the doula’s sliding scale. Paying at this rate would help make doula care accessible when it might otherwise be out of reach. If you’re on OHP, you may

Close-up of small green pine trees captured by wildwood's newborn photographer portland oregon

The Sapling

You are getting stronger but still have a lot of room to grow. You have your footing, but still benefit from some external support. You are not concerned with meeting basic needs, but nor are you able to pay the highest cost (the true cost of the service). You are able to afford some new items, have access to healthcare when necessary, and have some ability to afford a vacation or time off, but might not have access to financial savings.

Sustainable access: You are meeting needs with some flexibility, but may not have extra income or savings. Paying in the middle tier supports your doula’s work while putting their care within your reach.

A solitary large tree stands in a foggy field during sunrise symbolizing Childbirth Education Portland

The Mature Tree

You have grown strong enough to be able to support yourself fully. You feel comfortable enough in your economic situation to meet your basic needs. You are able to pay your mortgage or rent with enough left over to buy necessities and some luxuries. You have access to healthcare and financial savings, you may own your home, are able to buy new items when you need them, have access to family support, and/or can afford to take time off. Accessing a doula will not compromise your financial security.

Abundant resources: As a mature tree, your family experiences financial stability and can meet both needs and wants. Paying your doula’s top rate ensures they are able to offer lower rates to those in need and supports the sustainability of their work.