Doula's Obligations:
- We will respect you, your family, your home and your parenting style.
- We will provide non-medical physical, emotional and informational support after the birth of your baby.
- Our support services do not replace care from a medical provider.
- We will help with self-care recovery, postpartum comfort measures, infant care, parenting information, and provide assistance with learning to feed and care for baby.
- Support could include preparing simple meals and snacks, assisting with light household tasks, and other forms of support as appropriate and necessary.
- If your designated doula is unable to provide any postpartum support due to unpredictable scheduling conflicts (attending a birth, illness, emergency or severe weather, etc.), we will send an approved back-up doula to attend.
- Should you not want a back-up doula, payment for that day will be applied to future service if already paid.
As a Doula we do NOT:
- We do not perform major housecleaning tasks (ex: washing windows or yard work).
- We are not able to provide transportation for mother, baby or family.
- We will not perform clinical tasks, medical assessments or evaluations nor do we provide medical advice or diagnoses for mother or baby.
- We will not make decisions for you or speak for you. We may assist you in finding information or resources or remind you of your decisions as previously discussed.
Client's obligations:
- You will communicate your needs to us as your doula's duties will depend on your priorities and your particular needs that day.
- You agree to give us at least 24 hours notice if you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment. If you do not, the deposit will be forfeit.
- In the event of illness, emergency or severe weather, you will make every effort to reschedule services as soon as you are aware that you cannot keep our appointment. Payment for that day will be applied to future service if already paid.
Service Details
- One free consultation to discuss your needs, proposed schedule and to ensure compatibility. **
- One prenatal at your home (eg, baby care, sibling preparation, child proofing, relaxation) **
- Night shifts will begin no later than 11:00pm and must be a minimum of 8 hours.
- Day shifts will begin no earlier than 6:00am and must be a minimum of 4 hours.
Support can include some or all of:
- Physical and emotional support (listening to your birth story, your fears, frustrations, concerns, observing your postpartum recovery, etc.)
- Baby care education and support (assist in bathing, feeding, comforting the baby, cutting baby's nails, organizing the nursery/your home, etc.)
- Babywearing education & assistance
- Breastfeeding &/or bottle feeding support
- Preparing simple, nutritious meals in your home. Grocery shopping as necessary.
- Maintaining simple housework (laundry, vacuuming, emptying garbage, straightening up the house, dust, dishes, etc.)
- Watching the baby and/or older children on the premises, so Mom & Partner can rest
- Referrals to other professionals as needed
- Telephone, text, and email support.
Fees
We require a deposit of 25% of contracted services due upon contract signing to hold your spot on our calendar. Our fee for Postpartum Doula Support is $40 per hour, unless a package rate is purchased. Payment is due at the beginning of each week, unless you are pre-paying for a package deal. We require a 4 hour minimum per visit and a 4-hour minimum per contract.
Your deposit will be applied to your final balance unless your payment does not clear, you cancel within 24 hours of our scheduled appointment or you are not home at the day/time of our appointment and have not notified us in advance. In these cases, your deposit is forfeit.
We accept cash, check, credit & debit card and can make arrangements for gift cards or baby showers.
This agreement is meant to be fair to both parties, so that all parties may feel secure in their mutual commitment. By signing this contract, you agree to pay for services as described above. In return, the doula team commits to provide these services. It is understood that if your lead doula is called to birth or has an emergency arise, your second team member will be called to step in. In which case, you will be notified as early as possible to let you know of the change. It is understood that neither Bell House Doulas or it's representatives are to be held responsible or liable for any undesirable or unexpected outcome resulting from postpartum support. Should a disagreement occur, the undersigned agree to resolve issues amicably therefore excluding Bell House Doulas from any penalty or fault. The signatures below indicate both doula and client understand the content and terms herein.
I, the undersigned client, hereby warrant that I am competent to contract in my own name. I confirm that I have read the herein agreement prior to its execution and I am fully familiar with the contents thereof. This agreement shall be binding upon me and my heirs, legal representatives and assigns.
