doula + client agreement
As a birth doula, my intention is for you to be empowered as you experience a positive birth. I provide emotional and physical support to you during labor and delivery. I will help facilitate communication with your care provider to ensure that you have the information you need to make informed decisions regarding your baby’s birth. I can also provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for your comfort.
I am independent and self-employed, and so, I am working for YOU, not your care provider or place of birth.
I believe in the sacred space of birth. It is important that you feel comfortable and safe with me.
I will meet with you twice in person prior to labor.
I will also be available by telephone, text and/or virtual communication for the duration of your pregnancy.
We will discuss any fears or concerns that you have to assure that as labor approaches you feel supported, safe and confident.
If you have questions, I will present evidence-based information. We can discuss the risks and benefits of common interventions and procedures used during childbirth.
We will discuss your birth intentions, including how you envision your partner being involved, as well as my role. If your partner will be the main support person, I will offer suggestions and support him in supporting you. I am happy to go over laboring positions and management methods, send you handouts and helpful links so that you can practice together before labor. We will essentially be a team.
If you like, I can also help you formulate an intentional birth plan based on your vision of a joyous birth.
During Labor:
Please call or text me when you are showing signs of pre labor or are in early labor. This is helpful so that I can adjust my schedule if need be and plan to be readily available.
Early Labor- I will answer questions and make suggestions via phone, text and/or virtually. I may want to facetime at some point so that I can assess how you are managing.
Depending on our agreement, usually based on where you live, we will decide if I will come to you or if I will wait for further change and stay available virtually.
Active Labor- I will meet you at your home or your planned place of birth. Once we discern that it is time for me to begin supporting you in person, I will make every effort to be there within one (1) hour. Except for extraordinary circumstances, once I join you I will remain with you throughout your labor and birth.
After the Birth:
Circumstances permitting, I will remain with you for at least one to two hours after the birth.
Postpartum:
I will be available by phone or text to answer questions about the birth or your baby, talk through any questions or concerns you have regarding breastfeeding, offer encouragement, etc.
I will contact you within a few days of the birth to schedule a postpartum meeting to visit you at home or virtually, whatever is more convenient for you.
During the postpartum visit we can review the birth, talk over breastfeeding and baby care and I’d love to hear how you are feeling and processing your first week after birth with your new baby. I will also be happy to hold baby while you shower, change a diaper, etc. My intention is to be a support and blessing.
Fees
Full Doula Support: $1500
Includes-
- Two prenatal visits
- Labor and delivery support
- Immediate postpartum support
- One postpartum visit
I will be available via phone, text or virtually to provide support and information, answer questions and offer suggestions - pregnancy to postpartum.
Retainer fee: $600 due at time of contract
Balance: $900 due at 36 weeks
I am happy to provide an itemized invoice for you to provide to your insurance for reimbursement. Please check for coverage.
That being said... I believe every woman should be supported in labor. If you are experiencing financial hardship or can not afford these fees, please contact me so that we can discuss an adjusted fee or payment plan. I've been there. I get it.
Client Responsibilities
I ask that you inform me of any pregnancy-related or other health complications or conditions you may have, as well as any other special circumstances you might have or require.
I also ask that you keep me abreast of what happens at your prenatal appointments from 36 weeks forward (if your cervix is dilated, any tests or procedures you might experience, anything your care provider seems concerned about, etc).
I also request that you inform your care provider that you have hired a doula.
If for any reason you decide not to have me at your birth after you have signed this contract and paid the retainer fee, I ask that you let me know as soon as possible.
Extenuating Circumstances
While I firmly believe in developing an intentional birth plan, births do not always go how we’d like. This does not mean you will not have a positive birth experience. It means we are prepared to be flexible and we readjust.
If you are having a birth center or home birth and transfer to the hospital, I will accompany you and continue to provide doula support as permitted by the hospital and current policies.
Failure to Provide Services
I will make every effort to provide the services described here. I limit the clients I agree to serve as a doula to avoid conflicts.
If you contact me to advise that you are in labor in good time, but I do not attend your birth due to an error or neglect on my part, I will refund the total amount paid less the cost of any prenatal meetings.
If you contact me and I am unable to attend your birth due to a very rare birth conflict or unexpected emergency that I can not control, my backup doula will be called at no extra charge to you.
If you fail to call me to advise that you are in labor, for whatever reason or you voluntarily terminate our contract, you will not be refunded. If there is a remaining balance outstanding, this will be due.