1. Scope of Services
The postpartum doula will provide non-medical, emotional, physical, and informational support to the Client and their family during the postpartum period.
Services include:
- Comprehensive Postpartum Care Plans: Collaborative planning tailored to specific needs and parenting preferences. Ideally created during pregnancy.
- Emotional and Recovery Support: Providing continuous emotional reassurance and assisting with physical recovery.
- Shift Scheduling and Overnight Care: Developing a flexible schedule, including overnight assistance for optimal rest.
- Parenting Expertise: Supporting various parenting styles, including attachment parenting, babywearing, breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, and more.
- Education and Guidance: Offering information on infant care, feeding techniques, and postpartum self-care.
- Meal Preparation and Well-being: Assisting with nutritious meal preparation.
- Community Resources and Connections: Providing information on local resources and support groups.
- Breastfeeding and Sleep Support: Offering guidance on breastfeeding challenges and strategies for navigating sleep-related issues.
- Household Care: Light cleaning and laundry. Assistance with household errands such as grocery shopping and medication pickup.
Services not included:
- Medical care, including administering medication or diagnosing health conditions. The Doula is not a medical professional and does not provide medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. Any medical concerns should be addressed by the Client’s healthcare provider.
- Heavy cleaning or deep housework.
- Driving the Client or family members.
- Long-term childcare or babysitting beyond the agreed-upon sibling care.
- Tasks outside the scope of postpartum support, such as yard work or home repairs.
2. Fees and Payment
Retainer Fee: 25% of the chosen package is due at the time of hire as a retainer fee. The retainer fee holds the date and is non-refundable but will be applied toward the total package fees.
Final Payment: The remaining balance for the chosen package is due one week before the first scheduled workday.
Packages:
Starter Package - Daytime: $840
Includes 24 hours of daytime support (6 4-hour daytime shifts).
Starter Package - Overnights: $1,000
Includes 24 hours of overnight support (4 6-hour overnight shifts).
Fully Supported Package: $2,000
Includes 40 hours of daytime support (10 4-hour daytime shifts) plus 18 hours of overnight support (3 6-hour overnight shifts).
Hourly Rates (only to be added on top of package)
Daytime Rate (8 AM-8 PM): $38 per hour (minimum 4-hour shifts).
Overnight Rate (8 PM-8 AM): $45 per hour (minimum 6-hour shifts).
Holidays and Weekends (Daytime Only): $50 per hours
Services will not begin until payment has been received.
3. Cancellation Policy
Client must provide at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule a session without penalty.
Sessions canceled with less than 24 hours' notice will be charged the full fee.
You may cancel a full package up to 2 weeks before the start date, however no refund of the retainer fee will be given.
If you choose to cancel a package part way through, your refund will be prorated to hours worked, not including the retainer fee.
4. Scheduling
- One prental meeting will be scheduled around 36 weeks of pregnancy to make a postpartum plan if possible. This is included in every postpartum doula package.
- Once the client has given birth, the client must contact the doula to schedule at least 2 postpartum shifts. The client is welcome to book all the shifts at once.
- After the initial two shifts, the client may book their other shifts. The doula cannot guarantee total availability but will work as best she can to make preferred schedules work.
- If the doula is unable to make a desired day work, she may offer the client a backup doula. It is up to the client to take the backup doula or find a different day to book a shift.
4. Confidentiality
The Doula agrees to maintain confidentiality regarding the Client’s personal information and circumstances, except when required by law or with the Client’s explicit consent.
5. Liability
The Doula will exercise reasonable care in providing services but is not liable for any outcomes resulting from the Client’s parenting decisions or actions.
6. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the British Columbia.