What is a Doula?                                                                         

A doula is a professional labor support person, trained and experienced in childbirth, who is hired by a woman to provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to during and just after birth. It is only natural for a woman to want support and companionship during the labor process a doula provides that stable support.

 
II. Background and Qualifications

I have received education and doula certification from the International HypnoBirthing® Institute & Allo Doula Acadamy and Certified Lactation Educator and Consultant from UC San Diego and a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from California State University at Channel Islands. I am also a Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Passenger Safety Tech, and Basic Life Support Instructor.

 
III. Overview of Services

A doula provides support consisting of praise, reassurance measures, physical contact such as massage, relaxation, positioning and other measures to improve comfort to you, the birthing person, as well as explaining what is going on during labor and delivery, making suggestions for labor progress, and providing a constant friendly presence. I also provide support for your partner.  I will provide you with the following services:

 
-Prenatal Meetings with the Doula

 
My fee includes one to two prenatal visits (depending on the need) with you and your partner to discuss my services and build a rapport among other topics you and I would like to discuss.  I will also provide many handouts and resources.  The bellow Pre-Birth Planning Session is one of the prenatal visits.

 
-Pre-Birth Planning Session

 
I will meet with you and your partner(s) (if applicable) to review this Doula Services Agreement and your Birth plan. I will review my role as Doula and address any questions or concerns.

 
I will assist with Birth plan preparation and can demonstrate breathing and relaxation techniques and comfort measures for labor. Again, this will allow us to become better acquainted, to explore and discuss your priorities and any fears or concerns, and to become familiar with your birth plan, including your preferences regarding coping techniques and the use of pain medications. I will provide handouts on pregnancy, birth and postpartum. We will discuss how we may best work together. Additional education includes: Car seat safety & check.

 
*Support During Labor & Birth

 
I need you call me when you think you are in labor, no matter what time of day or night, or even if you do not yet need me. I am available to answer questions and make suggestions over the phone. Once labor has begun, we will decide where and when I will meet with you and your partner in your home, at the hospital or birth center or decide if we will wait for further change. I will need approximately 1.5-2 hours to get to you from the time you ask me to meet you and get to your location. Except for extraordinary circumstances, I will remain with you throughout your entire labor and birth… or until I feel like I am not a good doula anymore.  After that, I will call in a back-up doula. On occasion, it may be necessary for a back up doula to remain with you (see Section V below). I will provide continuous emotional support by providing reassurance and encouragement to you and/or your partner.  As a Doula, I can make suggestions for labor progress; help with breathing and relaxation techniques, massage, and positioning and comfort measures for your labor. I also bring my doula bag filled with food and tools.

 
*Assistance with Communication and Information

 
I help facilitate communication between you, your partner and the clinical care providers.  While I never interfere with clinical management, I do help you and your partner ask questions and get information you need to make informed decisions. I will also point out any departure from the birth plan. As Doula, I always respect and support the decisions you and your partner make. We are all a team, and I will never step in the way of health care providers (nurses, doctors, anesthesiologist, etc.)

 
-After the Birth

I remain with you and your partner for 1-2 hours after the birth, or until you are comfortable and ready for some quiet time together.  I will assist with breastfeeding when ready/if ready in the first 1-2 hours after birth. After the birth, I will also be available for phone contact to answer questions about the birth or the baby.

 
-Postpartum Visit

 
Additionally, I offer one postpartum visit to your home within 1 to 4 weeks after birth, to see how you are doing and provide breastfeeding support, if wanted. I can watch baby so the birthing person can nap, take a shower, etc. 

 

IV. Limitations

As a Doula, I do not perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure checks, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams and other such duties. I am there to provide only physical comfort, emotional support, and advocacy.

I do not make decisions for you and/or your partner. I will help you get the information you need to make an informed decision. You and/or you and your partner make all decisions and speak on your own behalf to the clinical staff.

I do not speak to the staff on your behalf. I will offer suggestions and present options. I will remind you if there is a departure from you birth plan.

I do not make clinical assessment or decisions concerning the birth or the newborn. Therefore, I assume no responsibility for the out come of the birth.

I do not work for your caregiver or hospital. I am independent, self-employed, and work to provide you with a satisfying birth experience.

I will call in my back-up doula if I feel I am too tired to adequately and safely support you.

 
V. Backup Doula(s)

In the unlikely event that I am unable to attend your labor and/or birth or I am too tired to perform my role, I will provide to you with a qualified backup doula. The backup doula will be available to you 24 hours a day, just as I am available to you 24 hours a day. The parties herein agree that the doula services described herein are non-exclusive and may be assigned to a backup Doula.

 

VI. Fees

Fees for Services described in Section 3 above are $1800. A $300 non-refundable deposit is required prior to the Pre-Birth Planning Session. The remaining $1500 is due by your 37th week of pregnancy.  My services and your due date are not reserved until the contract is signed and deposit is received.  I have the right to lower the funds if I feel a service was not provided or I don’t want to, or we have agreed to not have a service required.  Payment Plans are available. If your birth ends up in an unplanned c-section, the money will not be refunded.

MEDICAID Clients- **I am not taking Medicaid clients at this time** - Fees for services described in Section 3 above are $1500 as decided by medicaid. A $200 non-refundible deposit is required to secure the date.  Should you decide to choose someone other then me AFTER you pay the $200 non-refundible deposit, you will not get any back.  A Medicaid Number is requred, plus verification that it is active before I agree to take you on.  Since the Medicaid rembersment/payment will not happen until after the birth, should you loose medicaid, you will owe me $1400. If that $1400 is not paid, you will be taken to court for forceable payment.  Please communicate with me if you do loose your Medicaid.  No deposit paid = no doula. Loose medicaid either cancles my doula serives or you pay the remander of the bill ($1300).  If your birth ends up in an unplanned c-section, the money will not be refunded.  The paragraph above is applicable to this paragraph. 

 
VII. Refunds

You understand that after you sign this Doula Services Agreement, you can choose not to have the Doula attend the birth, but that you will forfeit the deposit and fees paid under this Doula Services Agreement. You understand that the Doula will make every effort to attend the birth and fulfill the obligations of this Doula Services Agreement, but in the event of unforeseen events, without limitation, such as rapid labor or your failure to call, the Doula may not be able to attend the birth and you will not get a refund and will pay the amount in full . You understand that if the Doula is unable to attend the birth due to circumstances within her control, she will provide a replacement Doula.  I reserve the right to cancel the contract if I feel unsafe, witness/hear of domestic violence of any kind, mother/partner/birthing person does drugs or drinks alcohol, or any circumstances I deem necessary.

 
VIII. Force Majeure

Doula shall not be responsible for failure to fulfill obligations due to causes beyond the Doula’s reasonable control, including without limitation, acts or omissions of government or military authority, acts of God, transportation delays, fires, floods, labor disturbances, riots, wars, terrorist acts, illness/injury or any other causes, directly or indirectly beyond the reasonable control of the Doula, so long as the Doula has used her best efforts to remedy such failure or delays.

 
IX. Amendments

All amendments to this Doula Services Agreement must be in writing and signed by each of the parties hereto.

 
X. Release, Indemnity, and Hold Harmless

You agree to release, indemnify and hold harmless from and against any claims, demands,  actions, liens, rights, subrogated or contributed interests, debts, liabilities, judgments, costs and attorney’s fees, arising out of, claimed on account of, or in any manner predicated upon the Doula’s participation prior to and during the birth process, including any loss or damage or personal injury or death of any person which may occur as a result of the Doula’s participation prior to and during the birth process, even where that loss, damage, personal injury, or death is caused or contributed to in any manner, by the Doula.

 

As a doula, 

I will provide continuous emotional, physical and information support, before, during and after birth
I will understand and respect the unique needs and desires of each individual client. 
I will offer non-medical assistance with natural pain and discomfort.
I will offer encouragement, reassurance and work with affirmations and positivity through words.
I will suggest positions and use hip squeezes/sacrum presser if desired.
I will bring my bag full of tools, which include essential oils, massage tools, and such. 
 I will collaborate and communicate effectively with other birth professionals involved in the care of my clients, fostering a cooperative, respectful and team atmosphere.
I will provide education and handouts including creating a health plan.
I will help advocate for you without speaking for you… helping your voice be heard.
I will provide breastfeeding support.
I will uphold the highest ethical standards in my practice. 
I will maintain professionalism and integrity, treating all clients with respect, dignity, and sensitivity.  
I will provide unbiased and non-judgmental support, recognizing that each person's journey is unique and valid. 
I will support the autonomy of the birthing person, encouraging them to make informed decisions that align with their values and preferences. 
I understand and acknowledge the importance of confidentiality, respecting the privacy of the families I serve and keeping all personal information confidential.

 
I will not impose my own beliefs or agenda onto my clients, but rather provide them with the necessary information and resources to make the best choices for them.
I will not act as a healthcare provider including not performing clinical tasks.
I will not diagnose medical conditions
I will not perform cervical checks. 
I will not attend free births/unassisted births.

 

My Scope of Practice as a doula encompasses integrity, respect, confidentiality, non-judgmental support, advocacy, and continuous education. I am committed to providing compassionate care and empowering the families I work with throughout their entire birthing journey.  We will work together to create the best experience for you. I believe that we each deserve a village to stand around us during this pregnancy, birth and postpartum period and I will do my best to create that village.

In order to help you have the best birth experience, I ask that you and your partner do the following:

Complete a childbirth education course and discuss your birth plan with me.
Be responsible for your personal health for a healthier pregnancy and better birth experience.
Tour your chosen birth place.
Secure transportation to your birth place (as your doula, I will not drive you to your birth place)
Call me when you are in labor and allow me approximately two hours to reach you.
Disclose any communicable illnesses you may have so that I may take precautions.

1. Perform clinical tasks including vaginal exams, or assessment of maternal or fetal wellbeing.

2. Make decisions for you. I will help you gather information necessary to make an informed decision, and I will offer myself as a sounding board rather than give opinions.

3. Speak to the staff on your behalf. I will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you and your partner will speak directly to the clinical staff about your care.

4. Assist in the delivery of a baby, with or without a health care provider present. If your baby arrives unexpectedly at home with me present, you or your partner will be responsible for the delivery of your baby. Neither I nor BEST Doula Training will be held liable for not providing clinical services.

 

Limitation of Liability.

Client agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Amanda Howard-Fairrington/She Believed Birth Services, LLC harmless from all claims, losses, judgments, damages, expenses and costs (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and court costs), whether fixed or contingent, and whether or not adjudicated, arising from or in any way related to: (a) the breach of any of its obligations hereunder; (b) damage to real or tangible personal property of client or any third party as a result of the fault of the client and not due to the fault of Amanda Howard-Fairrington/She Believed Birth Services, LLC bodily injury to any party caused by client and not caused by Amanda Howard-Fairrington/She Believed Birth Services, LLC; (d) any breach of representations or warranties regarding services of Amanda Howard-Fairrington/She Believed Birth Services, LLC made by clients or any other third party; (e) payment of services owed to birthing facility (f) any unauthorized act or omission of the doulas; and (g) the negligence, recklessness or willful misconduct of Amanda Howard-Fairrington/She Believed Birth Services, LLC (h) the aforementioned exceptions of services, including but not limited to, medical monitoring, medical decisions, medical opinion, treatment options, physical services, and medical services.