Birth Doula.

Birth Doula Terms Of Service

Service Outline

  • On-call during business hours for Q&A from the time of hiring up to 6 weeks postpartum

  • 2 Prenatal visits

    • In-person (location to be determined between you and your doula)

    • Approximately 2 hours / visit

    • Your doula will cover topics surrounding pregnancy, birth and postpartum in detail

  • Prenatal visits are a vital part of preparing for your birthing experience

  • Build a strong connection with your doula and birth partner

  • On-call for your birth

  • Let your doula know when you have the first signs of labor

  • Update your doula and ask questions as your labor progresses

  • Phone your doula and ask them to join you when their support is needed

  • Attendance at your birth

  • Arrival at your birth within 2 hours of requesting your doula

  • Your doula will remain with you up 2 hours after your baby arrives

  • You can reach your doula directly at the phone number at 416-705-2986.

  • 1 Postpartum visit

  • In-person (date, time and location to be determined between you and your doula)

  • 1-2 hours in length

  • Emergency back-up Doula

    • In the event that the doula is unable to fulfill their obligations due to illness, emergency, or other unforeseen circumstances, the doula has a designated back-up who will step in to provide support.

    • A current team member will be designated to be your back-up doula

    • Meet and greet with back-up doula upon request

    • Contact information for the back-up doula will be shared with you directly


Your doula is independent of your healthcare provider and hospital and is working for YOU directly. You acknowledge that your doula is a non-medical care provider and will not perform any medical tasks or make medical decisions on your behalf. You have the right to refuse any medical procedures or interventions recommended by your health care provider, and your doula will support your decisions to the best of their ability without judgement or bias.

Health and Safety

Both the doula and the client will adhere to health and safety guidelines, which may include measures related to infection control, hygiene, and precautions to mitigate health risks, such as those associated with communicable diseases like COVID-19.

Illness

In the event that you or anyone living in your home becomes ill with any contagious cough, cold, flu, illness etc... you must notify your Doula(s) as soon as possible to reschedule your meetings. Any meetings scheduled during the term of illness may be rescheduled once the household member has be symptom free for 24 hours. 

In the event that your doula becomes ill with any contagious cough, cold, flu, illness, etc.. I will make every effort to notify you immediately. Any scheduled meetings during the term of illness will be rescheduled once they have been symptom free for 24 hours. A refund will not be given, missed meetings will be rescheduled.

Code of Conduct
The doula agrees to maintain a high level of professionalism and respect throughout the doula-client relationship. This includes respecting the client's choices, values, and birth plan, refraining from judgment, and providing unbiased support. The doula will adhere to Greater Toronto Doulas 'Code of Conduct' and all applicable laws in the practice of doula services.

Mediation and Grievance

If you have concerns or complaints, Durham Doula/Greater Toronto Doulas is committed to resolving any issues in a collaborative and constructive manner. 

Your doula has agreed to the Association of Ontario Doulas 'Practice Guidelines' & 'Standards and Bylaws'. If your doula acts outside of these policies, please reach out for guidance on following appropriate grievance procedures. Greater Toronto Doulas will cooperate in good faith and confidentiality throughout the grievance process. By working together, we aim to resolve any problems while maintaining a respectful doula-client relationship.

Documentation and Records:
Your doula may keep records of the services provided, including notes and summaries. These records are confidential and will be shared with the client upon request. The doula will retain records until the completion of services, after which they will be securely destroyed or deleted.

Governing Law
This contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Ontario, Canada. Any legal actions or proceedings arising from this contract shall be brought in the courts of Ontario, Canada.

Service Fees:

Birth Doula 

$1650 + HST

A retainer equal to 50% of is due upon booking. This is a non-refundable retainer that is used towards securing your doula care. This retainer reflects our commitment to provide services, as well as your commitment to paying for the secured services and doula availability.

We agree to work for you on a mutually agreeable schedule, subject to your doulas availability and mutually agreeable hours.

Payment Options

Credit Card

E-transfer, sarah@durhamdoula.ca

All services will be confirmed once your deposit is received.

Late Payment & Automatic Late Fees

Invoices are due within the timeframe stated on each invoice. Any invoice not paid by the due date will be considered overdue.

Client acknowledges and agrees that a 5% late fee will be automatically applied to any unpaid balance immediately after the invoice due date through our invoicing system. This late fee will be calculated based on the outstanding balance at the time the invoice becomes overdue.

If the balance remains unpaid, additional late fees of 5% of the remaining outstanding balance may be automatically applied every 7 days thereafter until payment is received in full.

Durham Doula/Greater Toronto Doulas reserves the right to suspend scheduled services until all outstanding balances and applicable late fees have been paid. Suspension of services due to non-payment does not waive the Client’s financial responsibility for previously scheduled shifts.

If an account remains unpaid for more than 14 days, Greater Toronto Doulas reserves the right to terminate services.

Cancellations / Refunds:

Birth Doula

Cancellations / refunds will not be provided for the following reasons:

  • If you are within 12 weeks from your due date.

  • Planned or un-planned C-section.

  • In the event that you do not call your doula or do not give your doula enough notice to arrive to your birth at an appropriate time please discuss this with your doula . 

  • In the event that a back-up doula is needed and/or declined.

A cancellation / partial refund may be made only if you are less than 28 weeks pregnant.

  • 50% deposit is non-refundable.

Billing Schedule:

  • 50% due upon booking

  • 50% due by 34 weeks

This policy is in place to protect our Doulas from any losses or lapses in their schedule.

Failure to Provide Birth Doula Services:
Your doula will make every effort to provide the services described here. Sometimes this is not possible (for example, a rapid labor). If our failure to attend your birth is due to our error, we will refund 50% of your birth fee. The remaining is used towards prenatal visits and one postpartum visit. If failure to provide services is due to your failure to call us, a quick labor, or other issue outside of our control, no refund is issued. Birth can be a very unpredictable event, and although we will provide physical and emotional comfort to the best of our ability, we cannot guarantee you a birth without any issues or health concerns arising.

Unexpected Outcomes:

Our doulas have been trained to help you through any unexpected outcomes. This includes; maternal diagnosis', fetal diagnosis', miscarriage and still birth. We encourage you to reach out to your doula if you need support. Your doula can provide you with the resources, reassurance and support that you need. If you booked your doula before 12 weeks of pregnancy and you wish to cancel your unused services because of a miscarriage/stillbirth before 28 weeks of pregnancy, we will provide you with a full refund. If you have completed the prenatal visits with your doula, a 50% refund & cancellation of total services will be provided upon request. We strongly encourage you to seek support from your doula if an unexpected outcomes arises. These can be difficult moments, and their support will be invaluable.

Confidentiality & Privacy

Your personal information is collected for use by Durham doula.Greater Toronto Doulas. We use this information for communication purposes. We may share important details with clients through our newsletter, such as; recent research topics regarding pregnancy, birth & postpartum, information about your care, upcoming events. Your information will be shared with the doulas and/or educators that you are connected with for the services you have chosen. Your information will not be sold or shared outside of Greater Toronto Doulas.

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.