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/or your partner(s) 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 up to 15 hours. After 15 hours it is $30 an hour. 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, to see how you are doing and for us to discuss and review your birth experience and give breastfeeding support if needed. I will cook a meal/bring a meal/bring a food gift card. I can watch baby so the birthing person can nap.
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 or if we go over 15 hours.
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 or go over 15 hours, 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 non-refundable $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 - Fees for services described in Section 3 above are $1500 as decided by medicaid. A $200 non-refundible deposit is requrid to secure the date... $100 will be returned after medicaid pays me. 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 be 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.