I/We, the parent(s), have discussed and reviewed my/our wishes and plans for the birth of my/our child with the doula. After this discussion and review, the parties agree as follows:
1) The Labor Doula
-The doula will remain on call 24 hours a day from 37 weeks and through the birth. If you go into labor before 37 weeks, the doula will make all strides to still attend your birth or send a back up if they are unavailable.
-The doula will let you know of any times that they will not be available and a back up will be provided in the event that you go into labor during this time.
-The doula will provide two prenatal visits prior to the birth at which the parties shall discuss a proposed plan for birth that reflects the needs and desires of the parent(s).
-The doula will articulate and explain all available options and birth plan choices during the birth plan session.
-The doula works for you and your partner, not your caregiver or place of birth.
-The doula will support the decisions of you and your partner within the limits of their particular expertise.
-The doula will join and remain with you once active labor has begun.
-The doula will not perform any medical procedures or make any decisions regarding medical care for you or your baby.
-The doula cannot guarantee the outcome of your birth.
-The doula will strive to create a calm and peaceful environment within the circumstances allowed by the birth location of your choice.
-The doula will remain with you until at least one hour after the birth of your baby.
-The doula will provide one follow up postpartum visit within two weeks of the birth of your baby. At this meeting, the doula can answer any questions regarding the birth and newborn care.
-The doula will be available for any questions you have during the first 12 months post birth.
2) The Parent(s)
The parent(s) agree to contact the doula at the onset of labor. The parent(s) will advise where the doula should report to begin the labor support, by phone call. The doula will report within two hours of the parent(s) verbal request. In the event that the doula cannot attend, you will be provided with the backup doula.
3) Fees for Services
The fee for labor support is $1600. This payment amount includes two prenatal visits, one postpartum follow up, unlimited phone or text access, and support during labor and birth. The client shall make a retainer fee of $500 at the signing of this contract and pay the remaining balance of $1100 before or at the start of their 37th week pregnant. Please note that this service is non-refundable.*Payment plans available, if requested.
At the signing of this contract, it is assumed that none of us can anticipate the type of labor or birth you will have. As a small business, we can only contract with a small number of clients in any particular time frame (for fear of missing someone’s birth and not meeting their needs). We cannot fill our calendar and then change our fees according to how births turn out. We are as committed to short laboring clients as we are to long laboring clients, and have been considered a tremendous asset to parent(s) that are in need of a cesarean birth as recovery, bonding, and breastfeeding can sometimes be challenging in this case.
Should the parent(s) fail to notify the doula in a verbal manner two hours prior to the requested report time and the doula misses the birth, the full fee still applies.
Should the parent(s) fail to call the doula and ask for support and the doula misses the birth, the full fee still applies.
The full fee of $1600 may be refunded if the doula misses the birth as a result of reporting more than two hours after the parent(s) verbal request, unless other circumstances out of the doula’s control are at fault.
Any other circumstances out of the doula’s control that result in the doula’s absence at your birth will be addressed on a case-by-case basis, and may or may not result in a partial or full refund.
I/We, the client(s) have read this Birth Support Agreement. I/We accept and agree to the terms and conditions.