doula offerings

DOULA SERVICES 

The following is an excerpt from my contract, to give you an idea of what I offer and what I charge. 

Definition of a Doula: A birth doula is a person who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to women before childbirth, during labor, and shortly after delivery. A postpartum doula provides physical, emotional, and information support to women in their early postpartum phase (0-13 weeks after delivery). 

Scope of services: This contract details the services offered by the Doula to the Client, which are tailored to the needs of each family. I work with a sliding-scale model to be able to give care to those who need it in varying conditions and communities. Quality of service will not vary based on payment, however, time given will. These services will include:

1. ADVOCACY - fully included for all

As your Doula, I will advocate for Your wishes as expressed in the birth plan, in prenatal conversations, and intrapartum discussion. I will encourage You to ask questions of your caregiver, and to express Your preferences and concerns. I can help You to incorporate changes in plans if and when the need arises. 

However I can not speak FOR You during labor and delivery, and I cannot make decisions on your behalf, even if they align with the birth plan. I can support You and your decisions; those that You held from the beginning, and those that You make along the way. I can provide information on interventions, medications, and unforeseen circumstances so You and your family can make an informed choice.

Within the scope of my training, legally, I am not responsible for anything clinical or medical that occurs. My role is purely supportive. 

2. PRENATALS - $15-35/hour

The purpose of our prenatal visits will be to: connect emotionally; discuss, process, and release fears and concerns together; create a birth plan; provide childbirth education; discuss nutrition, herbal support, relaxation and breathing, & yoga and movement that can be done before, during, and after giving birth; address Your concerns and answer any questions related to the birthing process by providing evidence-based information.

I will offer no less than 2 prenatal visits; and will offer as many as You request; maximum 1x week until 38 weeks gestation. After 38 weeks gestation, the option to have a visit 2x a week is available.

Each visit, I will allot at least 15 minutes to an agreed-upon connective touch session: feet, hand, neck/shoulder massage; back massage; with priority going to the area that is needed or desired most by the Client.

Prenatally, I will accept unlimited phone calls, texts, and emails. Texts and emails will be responded to as soon as I am able; no more than 8 hours. Phone calls, I will return within 4 hours; unless it’s an emergency (dictated by You or your partner), in which case I will respond within 10 minutes. I will make it clear that I have received urgent messages, and be clear with when I can return them.

3. BIRTH - $500 - $1000 flat rate

• I consider myself on call 24/7 beginning at 38 weeks gestation. If You deliver before this, and I am able to attend, I will still charge for birth services. If I am not able to attend, the rest of our contract will still stand, however You will only be charged half of our agreed-upon amount for birth services.
• I will come whenever you call. Note that it may take me 60-90 minutes to establish child care and arrive on-site, so please allot for this! Keep me in the loop; let me know if your waters release, or when contractions start and how far apart they are. 
• I can come to your home before you transfer to your birthing place during active labor, if asked, before or after the waters release. I can go with You to the hospital or birth center (in my own vehicle or in yours, whatever is preferred and makes sense). There are no additional charges for this.
• I will provide continuous support to You during labor and delivery. I will be present at the place of delivery and provide emotional and physical support, including, but not limited to: aromatherapy, breathing exercises, massage, and position adjustments to provide comfort; tips for advancing through labor; guidance in any communication barrier between You and the healthcare professional; breastfeeding guidance.
• I agree to remain with the family during the entire labor and delivery, unless it is requested or required otherwise.
• I will remain with You until up to 4 hours after the birth of the baby, as required or requested.
• The cost includes all the hours it takes for You to give birth - ie, there are no hidden fees for a long labor. 
• The aim of my services as Doula is for You to have an overall positive birthing experience. 

4. POSTNATALS - $15-30/hr for advice & emotional support

• The first postnatal visit will be within 3 days of the birth, to check on the Client and offer support and guidance. 
• I will: discuss and process the birth experience, provide guidance in postpartum care, assist in breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, provide guidance in newborn care, provide advice on parenting techniques, offer support for the couple, answer any questions and concerns, and provide referrals and other reliable resources for further postpartum care, as requested or needed.

5. POSTPARTUM HANDS-ON SUPPORT - $20-35/hour 

• dishes, laundry, housecleaning, babysitting
• massage, reiki, reflexology, assistance stretching
• assisted bathing
• food prep, and/or bringing pre-prepared, appropriately nourishing food (hourly $ will include prep time; if I buy the ingredients, I will bring a receipt for reimbursement, to be paid upon time of food delivery!)
• Bengkung belly binding lessons will incur a one-time charge of $10 (free for POC). This price does not include material cost. I can obtain the muslin, or you can; if I do, receipts will be brought to you day-of and immediate reimbursement is expected (for all people).

LIMITATIONS of a DOULA

I am not a doctor or a midwife. I do not have the authority or training to perform clinical or medical tasks like taking blood pressure or temperature, fetal heart tone checks, vaginal examinations, belly palpitations, or clinical postpartum care. I cannot diagnoses of medical conditions or deliver medical advice.

During birth, I cannot and will not make decisions for You, nor will I project my own values and goals onto You.

RESPONSIBILITIES of the DOULA

• To provide continuous emotional, physical, and informational support to the Client before, during labor, and after delivery. 
• To communicate effectively and respectfully with the Client.
• To provide evidence-based information to the Client and her family so they can make informed choices about care during labor and delivery. 
• To support the Client and her family in whatever decision they will make, especially regarding labor and delivery, and not pressure them into any decisions.
• To provide guidance to the client’s partner and family on how to best support her throughout the different stages of pregnancy, including labor and post-delivery. At no time does the Doula replace the role of the partner or family members. 

FEES AND PAYMENT

• I offer sliding scale options so that every family can get the support they need during this sacred initiation. I ask for integrity in deciding what your family can afford, since I do not ask for proof of income. Each range is listed next to the service described.