Birth Made Beautiful ~ Birth Doula Services Agreement

Kara Jo Prestrud, CD(DONA), HCHD, PCD(DONA), CLEC

Cassandra Martin, BA, CD(DONA), CLEC

* Throughouth this document, ‘The Doula’ refers to Kara Jo Prestrud, Cassandra Martin, or any other partner or backup doula working for Birth Made Beautiful to provide doula services for you.

The Doula’s Role

The doula's role may include any of the following: emotional and informational support, physical comfort and touch, suggestions for labor progress or relaxation, assistance in making informed decisions as they arise, and facilitating communication between you and your provider(s) or birth facility staff.

Before Labor

The doula(s) will meet with you 1-2 times before your birth, provided there is adequate time between hire and your birth. Typically the first prenatal is at a location of the doula’s choosing and is usually in the same location as your pre-hire consult. The second is usually a home visit. If hired after 32 weeks, there will likely be just one combined visit. Returning clients typically have just one prenatal visit regardless unless otherwise requested. We attempt to have each doula do one prenatal, or one combined visit together. These visits are to discuss your options and preferences/birth plan and to review tools for relaxation, comfort, and labor/birth progress. In the case of government mandates or health recommendations, virtual visits may be utilized instead. 

In addition to our prenatal visits, we are also available for phone, text, and email support for questions or concerns during your pregnancy.

On-Call

On-call doula services begin for you upon hire with signed contract and retainer monies paid as agreed upon. You will be provided with a doula for your birth regardless of week of gestation at delivery. However, the high-alert on-call period for you is from 38-42 weeks. During this time we will let you know of any dates or times we may be unavailable, as they arise, for which an additional backup doula will be covering. Expect that there may be one or two such times in your four week long high-alert window. Outside of this 38-42 week range, you still agree to call and text the doula(s) if you are in labor, and if we are by rare chance unreachable you may call one of the other backup doulas listed in your Welcome Letter, or one assigned to you specifically.

When You Are In Labor
You agree to contact the doula on-call at Google# 320-336-0422 when you think you may be in labor, and again when you would like a doula to join you in labor. Our cell#'s in the event you couldn't reach us via Google# are: Kara Jo 715-418-1470, Cassandra 652-278-7209. If you receive voicemail or cannot reach us via phone, you agree to follow with a text message to our cell#'s via our group chat. Do not text the Google#. Backup doula #'s will also be listed in your Welcome Letter. It is best to let us know as soon as you think labor/birthing time may be starting, before you need us. When you ask for a doula to join you in labor, one will arrive within 2 hours from the time you call and ask for us to come, though we are almost always able to join you sooner if given notice. We will generally stay with you throughout your entire active labor/birth, but may take brief breaks for meals or self-care, or if you are resting we may rest as well. These breaks are included in our fee.

Lengthy Births

There is no limit to hours of support for your birth. Our discounted $1100 fee covers unlimited text and phone support in early labor, up to 18 hours of in-person labor support (including brief bathroom or cafeteria breaks), and 1-2 hrs after birth. Births needing more than 18 hrs in-person labor support (and 1-2 hrs after birth) are $1300, with the additional $200 overtime amount to be invoiced after your birth and due within two weeks after birth. We also reserve the option to call in an a partner or additional backup doula after 18 hours, or sooner if needed. This need is rare, but helps ensure that you will have a rested doula to give you the best service possible.

Induction

In the case of induction a doula will join you whenever you request, which is typically in active labor, or when you are needing help coping with contractions/waves/surges. Text, phone, or virtual support is available before you are ready for a doula to join you.

After Birth
We usually stay with you for at least an hour after delivery to see that you are comfortable, answer postpartum questions, and help with initial breastfeeding if desired. Lastly, a follow-up postpartum home visit (or virtual, if needed) will be offered, typically within 1-2 weeks after delivery to see how you and your baby are doing, answer questions, and process your birth experience. Further, we are available for questions and resource referrals during your entire postpartum period.

As a Doula, According to the DONA International Code of Ethics, doulas are not a medical providers and DO NOT:

• Perform clinical tasks or procedures (such as fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, etc.).
• Give medical advice or diagnoses.
• Make decisions for you. This includes deciding when to go to a hospital. We can help you to get the information necessary to make informed decisions during both pregnancy and birth. We will also help to remind you if there is a departure from your expressed birth preferences/birth plan.
• Instruct your provider/staff on your behalf. We will discuss your questions and concerns with you, suggest options, and tactfully help you & your partner express your wishes and feel empowered to make decisions regarding your birth. We will work to be your advocate rather than your voice.

Failure of a Doula to Provide Services

If you should fail to request a doula’s presence by phone (and text in addition if you reached voicemail) TWO hours before birth and the doula (Kara Jo, Cassandra, or a partner or backup) missed your birth, there will be no refunds and the full fee/remaining balance are still due.

If the doula (Kara Jo, Cassandra, or another partner or backup doula) missed your birth as a result of reporting more than two hours after your request, a refund will be given. Exceptions and extra time may be needed for inclement weather if we are en route and delayed due to road conditions. In this case a refund may then be partial rather than full. No refunds nor total fee adjustments will be given due to natural disasters, pandemics, or your birth facility limiting the presence of support people/doulas. If your facility prevents the doula from attending your birth, we will still offer virtual, phone, and text support if desired, if we are able and if it's allowed. However we cannot guarantee the reliability of technology nor availability surrounding virtual support.

** We do not guarantee any type of birth or outcome. Once hired, we remain your doula(s) regardless of type of delivery/birth (vaginal or cesarean) and there will be no refunds, cancellations, nor negotiation or erasure of the total fee or balance owed, regardless of your prenatal or birth circumstances, hospital/facility policy changes or limitations, or for any medical or personal complications that arise. However, a refund will be offered in the case of pregnancy loss or miscarriage.

 

Photos

Any photos taken at your birth, whether with your camera or ours, are done as a bonus gift to you and are not gauranteed, nor are they a service you are paying for. Any photos taken with the doula’s camera are the property of Birth Made Beautiful or of the doula who took them. Your images may be uploaded to a private password-protected gallery for you, but they will not be shared publicly without your permission.

Confidentiality
In the interest of providing the best possible service, notes or information regarding your birth or birth plan may be shared or discussed with any partner or backup doulas, or care providers who may be directly helping to provide either doula coverage or care collaboration. On occasion, as with other health services, non-identifying details regarding a birth or perinatal care may be discussed in group/online forums for learning or suggestions. In these cases no names are given.

 

Fees
The discounted fee for the services described here is $1100 and will be paid as follows:
$550 non-refundable deposit/retainer fee, due when you select Birth Made Beautiful for doula services. This holds your place on our calendar.
$550 due by 36 weeks, unless other arrangements have been made. If you should deliver prematurely, the balance is due within 30 days of delivery. 

**There are no refunds nor cancellation of doula services after hire, except in the case of pregnancy loss or miscarriage.

I have read this document and agree to the terms outlined here.

Adapted from DONA/Doula Business Letter of Agreement doc. 2006. Updated 2/2021.