Letter of Agreement Describing Doula Services, Limits, and Fees
What is a Doula?
As a birth doula, I accompany you in labor and draw on my professional training, knowledge, intuition and experience to provide physical, emotional, and informational support, and as needed, communication with the staff to make sure that you have the information you need to make informed decisions as they arise in labor. I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for comfort. I can provide breastfeeding assistance and support and general herbal knowledge pertaining to the childbearing year. As a doula I also provide a lending library of books and optional labor tools available for your use. Upon hire, I will be available as a resource via phone or email. I am independent and self-employed. As your doula, I am working for you, not your caregiver or hospital.
I will meet you and your partner (if applicable) for an initial consultation to see if we are a good fit for each other and after hire, we will have at least 1 prenatal appointment and a postpartum planning session if desired. During prenatal visits we will become acquainted, explore and discuss your priorities and any fears or concerns, discuss your birth plan and plan how we might best work together. I also want to know your own best ways of coping with pain and fatigue and how you and your partner foresee working together. These visits are a time for us to learn and practice what will be most helpful for you in preparation of your birth.
I will also inform you of times when I am unavailable for labor support. To cover those times, I will arrange one or more qualified back-up doulas.
I am available by phone and email during regular business hours for non-emergency questions or concerns. If you suspect you may be in labor, please notify me immediately so I can begin to make arrangements if needed and leave promptly when you are ready for me to come.
When You are in Labor
I prefer that you call me at 385-505-4082 when you think you are in labor. I can answer questions and make suggestions over the phone. We will decide if I should come right then or wait for further change. Ideally I will join you and your partner (if applicable) once you are in active labor. I may need a minimum of 1.5 hours to get to you from the time you ask me to come. We will also decide where to meet--at your home, the hospital, or birth center. Except for extraordinary circumstances, I will remain with you throughout labor and birth.
After Birth
I usually remain with you for one or two hours after birth, until you are comfortable and your family is ready for quiet time together. I can also help with initial breastfeeding, if necessary. I am available to answer questions about the birth or your baby. I provide 1 in-home postpartum visit following birth to see how you and your baby are doing and to review the birth. I will also bring a nourishing meal to this visit. I also offer full or partial postpartum doula services as an additional service and various add ons listed below.
As a Doula, I do NOT:
- Perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, and others. I am there to provide only physical, emotional, and informational support. If you choose not to hire a medically trained provider (midwife or OB), you understand that I am not a replacement and that I am not permitted to provide medical care or give medical advice.
- Make decisions for you. I will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision. I will also remind you if there is a departure from your birth plan and encourage you and your partner to advocate for yourselves and your birth preferences.
Failure of a Doula to Provide Service:
I will make every effort to provide the services described here and to provide a backup doula in the case of emergency. If I am unable to perform service because you do not call me, you will still be responsible for costs.
Fees
My services are as follows
Complete Birth Package $1,500
- 30-minute complementary pre-booking consultation
- At least 1 in-home prenatal visit (education, information, relaxation, comfort measures)
- Postpartum planning session including planning guide and postpartum recovery box
- Availability via texting, phone, and email from time of hire through last postpartum visit
- Access to lending library and optional birth tools
- On call from 37 weeks until your birth
- Birth attendance and continuous support
- Help Initiating breastfeeding
- 1 in-home postpartum visit (birth processing, breastfeeding follow-up)
- A nourishing meal brought to you postpartum
- Resources and referrals
- Herbal knowledge and reference
Nourished Mother Package $2,300
- Includes all services included in the Complete Birth Package listed above and First Forty Days Postpartum Package - extended postpartum support (five in-home postpartum visits - up to 20 hours of mother-centered support including meals and specialty postpartum care)
Add ons available:
- Vaginal steaming education and all supplies including stool, pot, and herbal blend for 30 days $150
- Mothers Blessing $250
- In-home Rebozo Closing Ceremony $200
- A la carte postpartum visit $250