A. My role as your Doula
I’m independently employed and hired directly by you and (if applicable) your partner. Please note that I am working for you. I am not working for your care provider or hospital. It’s important for you to understand that I cannot - and do not - guarantee a specific outcome for your birth. My goal is to help you have a satisfying birth as you define it. My role as a birth doula is to provide physical, emotional, and informational support to women during their labor as well as encouraging communication with the staff at the birthplace to ensure that you have the information needed to make informed decisions regarding your baby’s birth.
B. Prenatal Visit
It is important to meet a few times before the labor to explore and discuss your priorities and to plan how we might best work together. This will be based on the selected labor and birth package.
C. On Call
Starting at 37 weeks I will consider myself on call for you and will always be available for you by phone.
D. In Labor
When you think labor has begun, you must contact me as soon as possible, even if you are not sure whether you are really in labor. Again, the more notice I have, the better prepared I can be. Once you confirm that you are in labor, we will then plan to check in with one another every hour, or as often as you prefer, by phone. It is up to you to decide at what point in your labor you want me to come and be with you. Once you make that choice, barring any unforeseen circumstances (traffic, emergencies, etc.), I will be there within 1-2 hours (usually less, depending on distance
If it is necessary to have a caesarian section birth and you do not want a doula to attend the birth, you will still be required to make full payment for my services pursuant to this contract. Please note that under these circumstances a doula can still support you through a caesarian section birth.
In an unlikely event, my failure to attend your birth is on my part, consideration for additional services will be offered. If I am unable to attend your birth due to a rapid labor (baby is born less than two hours after you call me and ask me to come), I will provide an additional 4 hours of postpartum support at no cost once you are discharged from the hospital and my full fee applies.
E. Postpartum
I generally remain with a client for 1-2 hours after birth, until you are comfortable, and your newly born family is ready for quiet time together. Each situation and birth are different, and my duties will vary depending on your needs.
F. Packages/ Fees
Sosipolis (Package Total: $1500) (Retainer- $200; balance due at 36 weeks)
(3) prenatal visits: In person or virtual; Support during labor (virtual during the early moments and joining the family once needed; per request of client); Assistance with creating birth plan; Breathing techniques for ease of labor and delivery; Unlimited text or calls; Birth education (Pre labor and early labor signs); 2 postpartum visits (assistance with newborn care)
Eros (Package Total): $1100 (Retainer- $200; balance due at 36 weeks)
(2) prenatal visits: In person or virtual; Support during labor (virtual during the early moments and joining the family once needed; per request of client); Assistance with creating birth plan; Breathing techniques for ease of labor and delivery; Unlimited text or calls; Birth education (Pre labor and early labor signs); 1 postpartum visit (assistance with newborn care)
Virtual Birth Plan (Package Total): $600
(2) Virtual prenatal visits; Virtual support during labor; Assistance with creating birth plan; Breathing techniques for ease of labor and delivery; Unlimited text or calls; Birth education (Pre labor and early labor signs)
For the services described here, a $200 of package total (‘the Retainer Fee’), is due when you select me as your doula and return a signed copy of this contract. The Remaining Amount will be due (Labor + Birth: At 35 weeks)
Labor & Birth Only (Package Total): $550
Labor and birth support; Breathing techniques for ease of labor and delivery; Unlimited text and calls; stay up to one hour after birth to ensure mother and baby are healthy. (1) virtual postpartum visit.
* $200 deposit is due at signing of contract to secure your due date.
** Postnatal appointment must be scheduled within 14 days of your birth or it will be considered void. Any appointments
made after 14 days will be subject to a $30 per hour fee.
G. COVID-19 Clause
Mask wearing is mandatory during ALL in-person meetings. I will exhaust sanitary actions to make sure that I am all parties involved are safe. By signing this agreement, you (as the client) will also take responsibility in making sure all safety precautions are maintained during the course of our time together.
H. Limited Liability Clause
In entering a contract for Doula (Labor Support) Services with Birth Script Doula Services on_____________________________. I/We hereby acknowledge that during the performance period of this contract, services may be provided to me/us in my/our home, traveling to a medical facility, and/or
hospital. I/We understand that Birth Script Doula Services has a limited role pursuant to the description of tasks outlined in the above-referenced contract wherever services are provided to me/us. Birth Script Doula Services has not represented to me/us that contracting for their services guaranatees in any way a risk-free or emergency-free labor and birth experience. I/We understand that my/our doula(s) does not make medical or nursing decisions on my/our behalf, to include the decision when to seek medical care at a hospital when labor support services are provided in my/our home. When services are performed in a medical facility, I/we acknowledge that Birth Script Doula Services is not responsible for the performance of clinical tasks to include medical or nursing decisions regarding the inclusion or exclusion of treatments available to me/us and my/our baby.
Now, therefore, in consideration of the above acknowledgements, I/we (both jointly and separately) on behalf of myself, ourselves, my/our heirs, administrators, personal representatives, executors, and assigns to RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE Birth Script Doula Services from all damages or causes of actions, either at law or in equity, which I/we may have or acquire or which may accrue to me/us, my/our heirs, administrators, personal representatives, executors or assigns as a result of using the doula services of Birth Script Doula Services. I/We intend this to be a COMPLETE RELEASE AND DISCHARGE them from all liability whatsoever.
I/We have read all statements contained herein and I/we fully realize that I/we are signing a COMPLETE RELEASE AND BAR to any claims which I/we have or believe I/we have resulting from our contract for doula services.
I/We have read this agreement describing the doula’s services and agree to enter a client-doula relationship for the pregnancy and birth with a due date of ______________.