Terms of Service.

As your Labor Doula:

• You may contact me at any time throughout your pregnancy up to 6 weeks postpartum if you have any questions or need support. I will reply during day time hours.

• I accompany birthers/families in labor to facilitate a safe and satisfying birth experience.

• I provide emotional support, physical comfort, and communication with your health care provider to ensure you have the information needed to make informed decisions in labor.

• I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for comfort.

• I can be a constant source of support for a birthing couple in a time of ever changing hospital shifts and alternating provider schedules

• I work for you, not your health care provider or hospital.

As your Birth Doula, I will not:

• Perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressures, fetal assessments, vaginal exams, etc.

• Make decisions for you. Instead, I will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision.

• Speak to the staff on your behalf regarding matters where health care decisions are being made. I will, however, discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you or your partner will speak directly to the clinical staff.

• Transport clients, in my vehicle(s), no matter the circumstance.   

• Replace your spouse/birth partner, rather I work with them. A doula knows pregnancy, labor and birth, and the partner knows the birther — it's a perfect team.

Prenatal meeting:

I will meet with you and your partner approximately between 30 weeks and 36 weeks into your pregnancy. These meetings will be approximately 2 hours and will cover such issues as:

• Discussion of, or assistance in adding your birth preferences to your birth plan

• Your knowledge of the birth process

• Your feelings on pain medications

• Pain management techniques

• Labor and birth positions

• Breathing

• Ideal labor and birth environment and experience

• Nursing / Feeding

• Baby Care

Late Pregnancy:

• Once I enter the on-call period (36 weeks - Birth), I encourage clients to check in once a week to advise me how you are doing either via phone, text or email.

• During the on-call period, I am committed to being within 50 kilometers of Durham Region at all times unless previously discussed with you and covered by a backup doula.

When you think you are in Labor:

1. Please call to notify, even if you do not feel like you need support at that time.

2. I will usually need 30 minutes to two hours to get to you from the time you request my presence depending on birth location.

3. We can also decide where you should meet (at your home or the hospital).

4. Except for extraordinary circumstances, I will remain with you throughout your labor and birth.

During your Labor and Delivery:

• I will provide continual physical, emotional, & informational support during labor and birth.

• I will be with you from the onset of active labor until 1-2 hours after the birth. I may require short, infrequent breaks if the labor is longer than 3 hours, but at no time will I leave you alone without at least one member of your support team.

• I reserve the right to be relieved by a backup doula in the event that I am ill or for any reason that I am unable to properly support you during your labor.

After the Birth:

• I will remain with you for one to two hours after birth, until you are comfortable and ready for quiet time with your family.

Postpartum Visit:

• I would like to meet one final time within the first two weeks after the birth to:

  • See how you are physically recovering

  • Provide feeding support, if needed

  • Review the birth

  • Admire your baby(s)

Caesarean Section

I will make every effort to provide the services discussed above and support you and your birth preferences. In the event that you have a C-section, I will offer my support during your surgery. Some hospitals only allow one support person in the operating room during the surgery. If you elect to have your partner / family member with you, I will meet you in the recovery room to assist with infant feeding / bonding and to answer any questions you may have. If you require a surgical birth after attempting to labor vaginally my fee will remain the same. If you elect to have a surgical birth and choose to retain the services offered under this contract, my fee will remain the same. If you elect to have a surgical birth and do not require my attendance, I require 30 days notice to cancel this contract and will retain the deposit fee.

• Scheduling a surgical birth does not nullify this contract:

Global Pandemic

In the event of a global pandemic services will be offered virtually via video call, phone call, email and text. Please note: Some hospitals do not allow cameras in the delivery / operating room, this would restrict the use of video calling and you would be required to call / text or email when you require my support. I will provide information to you or your support person on how to support you physically and emotionally. Fees will remain the same.

Failure to Provide Services:

I will make every effort to provide the service described in this agreement. Sometimes this is impossible. If I am unavailable to attend your labor and unable to provide a backup doula, I will refund 50% of your total fee. If it is due to your failure to call me, I will keep, or you will owe me, the agreed upon full fee for service and postpartum care will continue as planned. If my failure to provide service is due to circumstances beyond anyone's control (for example: natural or catastrophic events or an extremely rapid labor (3 hours or less)); my fee will remain the same, and an additional 10 hours of postpartum care will be offered. If I am unable to reach you before the baby is born, I will meet you at your home, birth center or hospital.

Cancellation of Contract:

If you choose to cancel this contract, you may do so at any point before you reach 36 weeks pregnant. Cancelling before 36 weeks means I will keep 50% of the full fee (retainer/deposit amount). I will return the balance remaining. If you choose to cancel the contract after you reach 36 weeks gestation, there will be no refunds and I will keep, or you will owe me, the agreed upon full fee for service. In the unlikely event that I need to cancel my services, you will be refunded the full amount, less any fees for services rendered to date.

Emergency Delivery:

In some circumstances, labor progresses more quickly than anticipated. If you call me to advise that your labor has progressed very quickly and delivery is imminent or that your baby has been born unexpectedly at home, I will call an ambulance and arrange for you to be transferred to the hospital. If your baby arrives unexpectedly at home with me present, you or your partner will be responsible for the delivery of your baby. I will take what measures I am capable of to attempt to keep you and the baby safe and comfortable until EMS arrives.

Fees

• 50% of the fee for the package you choose. This is the deposit / retainer amount and is due upon hiring and signing this contract (non-refundable).

• 50% The secondary payment is due 30 days prior to your estimated due date.

• Payments can be made via Email money transfer to sarah@durhamdoula.ca or credit card.

• NSF payments will be subjected to a $100 administration surcharge.

  Pregnancy and Birth Consulting $900

  • Discreet e-mail and text service

  • Available during business hours

  • Support through pregnancy, birth and 6 weeks postpartum

  • Ask questions and seek information regarding your pregnancy and care

• Premium Package $1600

  • 2 Prenatal visits

  • On-call throughout pregnancy

  • Birth attendance

  • 1 Postpartum visit

You will be sent an invoice via email 24-48 hours after submitting this agreement. You may choose to pay the deposit amount or the full amount at this time. If only the deposit is paid, a reminder invoice will be sent via email 37 days (5 weeks) prior to your estimated due date. The secondary payment will be due 30 days prior to your due date. Failure to pay the above fees will result in cancellation of services.

This agreement is meant to be fair to both parties, so that all parties may feel secure in their mutual commitment. By agreeing to this contract, you agree to pay for services as described above. In return, the doula commits to provide these services. It is understood that neither Sarah Leitch / Durham Doula or my representatives are to be held responsible or liable for any undesirable or unexpected outcome resulting from birth doula support. Should a disagreement occur, the undersigned agree to resolve issues amicably therefore excluding Sarah Leitch / Durham Doula and its representatives from any penalty or fault. The agreement below indicates that both doula and client understand the content and terms herein.