Doula's Obligations

Doulas support families in pregnancy, birth and the early postpartum period. Your doula will:

* maintain a network of community resources and provide referrals as needed
* remain up to date on birth related research and issues
* respect your privacy in all aspects of your pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period
* support and involve your partner
* meet with you prenatally to learn how to best support you through your birth
* communicate with you throughout your pregnancy
* help you form a birth plan to encourage communication with your care provider
* be on call 24/7 from 38-42 weeks of your pregnancy
* provide early labor support via phone
* join you during labor at a mutually agreed upon time once active labor begins
* provide continuous labor support, excepting short breaks to meet personal needs
* strive to maintain a calm and peaceful birth environment
* remain with you after delivery for up to two hours and help with breastfeeding
* review and help process the joyful and/or difficult moments from your birth
* make referrals and address any postpartum concerns.
* provide support before, during and after either a scheduled or emergent cesarean.

Client’s Obligations

In order to help you have the best birth experience, it is requested that you and your partner do the following:

* Complete a birth plan and discuss it with your caregiver.
* Be responsible for your personal health.
* Tour your birth facility.
* Communicate with your doula when you are in labor and let her know when you are ready for her support. Allow her approximately two hours to reach you from the time you request support.
* Disclose any communicable illnesses you may have so she may take precautions.

Doulas do NOT:
1. Perform clinical tasks including vaginal exams, or assessment of maternal or fetal well being.

2. Make decisions for you. Your doula will help you gather information necessary to make an informed decision, and will be a sounding board rather than give opinions.

3. Speak to the staff on your behalf. Your doula 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, you/your partner will be responsible for the delivery of your baby. Neither your doula nor Central Dallas Doulas will be held liable for not providing clinical services.

Fees

The total cost for Doula Services is $1,300. A non refundable deposit of $650 is due upon the signing of this contract and serves as a retainer for putting your due date on the doula's calendar. Doula fees are not itemized, upon contract signing, you agree to the contract in full. Refunds are not provided for any unused portion of the contract. The remaining balance is due by the 37 week point in your pregnancy and you may make plans for the remaining balance by the due date. Your doula will go on call after the balance is complete.

If circumstances are such that your doula cannot attend your birth, she will provide a qualified backup and will be responsible for payment of her services. She will provide the same services outlined in this contract. In the event of extraordinary circumstance or your doula has been with you for 18+ hours, she may request a backup doula to relieve her. The doula will also be responsible for any fees associated with this backup.

Fees for the doula services may be completed in payments, however fees are non-refundable in the event you fail to contact your doula or if she is unable to attend your birth due to the policies of your birth place. Fees are not adjusted for length of time in labor or birth, by birth outcomes or type of birth or birth plan. The doula will provide support for vaginal or Cesarean birth.

Should fees not be paid in full as directed above, it is solely at the doula's discretion to provide labor and birth support, unless other arrangements have been made.

I/We have read this letter describing the doula’s services and agree to the stated terms.

Financial Terms
By signing this document, I, the client, agree to birth doula services according to the preceding Terms and Conditions.

The Retainer is due at signing. This fee is earned when paid and covers the cost of holding the client’s space on the Doula’s calendar, prenatal visits, handouts, on-call availability, administrative costs and resource support. Upon the receipt of the retainer, the Doula will consider herself ‘booked’ for the client’s due date, though she may book with other clients during the same time frame.

The Birth Fee is due NO LATER than three weeks prior to the client’s due date as defined by this contract.