Terms of Service.

As your Postpartum Doula:

• I provide support to the new family structure after the birth of the baby for up to the first 6 months of age, unless special circumstances arise.

• I provide emotional support, physical comfort, and information on topics like self-care, baby care and adjustment measures.

• I provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner; make suggestions for feeding and help with household tasks after the birth.

• I can help prepare meals and snacks for the family for the day, grocery shopping, laundry or run other necessary errands.

• I work for you, not your healthcare provider or hospital/birth center.

• I adhere to the Red Cross CPR standards of care (in the event of a medical emergency).

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.)

• Baby-wearing education & assistance

• Feeding support

• Preparing simple, nutritious meals in your home

• Maintaining simple housework (laundry, sweeping, straightening up the house, dust, dishes, etc.)

• Watching the baby and/or older children on the premises, so parents can rest

• Referrals to other professionals as needed

• Telephone, text, and email support.

• Helping parents sleep by keeping baby settled

Overnight Support:

I will begin each night by discussing how the day went, helping a family by answering any baby care questions, feeding questions, and just touching base with how you’re feeling. We will then take care of your baby for the entire evening so you can get some sleep.

Once nightly tasks and ongoing obligations have been successfully completed, and when the baby is sleeping soundly, then and only then, I may, from time to time, occasionally rest/nap intermittently alongside your sleeping baby. A comfortable resting area within the home is required. Acceptable accommodations are: bed, day bed, mattress or couch. Some families choose to set up the space in babies room, living area or a spare bedroom, whichever is more suitable for the family.

Standard overnight care practices:

• Baby care

• Breast/bottle feeding support

• Baby laundry

• Clean dishes/bottles

• Allow family to sleep

• Breakfast preparation

• Other quiet tasks around the house to be discussed ahead of time

• Guidance on nightly routine

As your Postpartum Doula I will not:

• Perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressures, infant assessments, wound/incision care

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

• Speak to your healthcare provider 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 your healthcare provider

• Transport clients and/or children in my vehicle(s), no matter the circumstance

• Replace your partner; rather I work with them. A Postpartum Doula knows early postpartum adjustment measures, newborn care, postpartum birther care and feeding; the partner knows the birther — it's a perfect team

• Do heavy house cleaning such as; mopping, cleaning bathrooms, yard work or animal care, and carrying heavy objects up and down stairs

• Prepare meals for friends and extended family, dinner parties, or potlucks

• Advance you money for groceries/errands

• Provide care for your child/children in your absence, I am there to support you and your partner, not replace you

Meeting your Doula:

• As your Doula, I will meet with you and your partner virtually to discuss your needs in detail and to get to know each other prior to signing this agreement.

• After your meeting, please keep in touch with me to check in and give updates as needed.

After the Birth:

Please call or text me to inform me of your birth and to arrange a schedule for your support.

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 me as soon as possible to reschedule your shift. Any shifts scheduled during the term of illness may be rescheduled once the household member has be symptom free for 24 hours. If you fail to notify me of any contagious illness in your home within 24 hours of your scheduled shift, I will not continue working that shift/I will leave immediately. Fees will not be refunded for any shift due to failure to notify me of a contagious illness in your home.

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

Global Pandemic

In the event of a global pandemic services will still be offered unless the government has restricted working with other families inside their home. Virtual support via video call, phone call, email and text can be arranged instead. Fees will remain the same.

Cancellation of Contract

If you choose to cancel any unused / remaining postpartum support hours in this contract, you will forfeit 50% of any fees for services not rendered to date. I will return the amount to the original payment method. In the unlikely event that I need to cancel my services, you will be refunded the full amount, less the amount for services rendered to date.

Cancellation / Rescheduling of Shifts:
Notice Period
In the event that you need to cancel or reschedule a postpartum shift, a minimum of 48 hours notice is required. Failure to provide adequate notice will result in the following fees:

• Less than 48 hours notice: The full scheduled shift fee will apply.

• Failure to answer the door/phone within 30 minutes of doula arrival: The full scheduled shift fee will apply, and the doula will be automatically excused from their shift.

Emergencies
In the rare cases of an emergency or sudden medical emergency, cancellations may be made without penalty, at the discretion of the doula, provided that appropriate explanation is provided.

Cancellation by Doula
In the event that the doula is unable to fulfill the scheduled shift due to illness, emergency, severe weather event or unforeseen circumstances, the doula will make every effort to notify the client as soon as possible and will assist in arranging an alternative provider. If the doula is unable to work their scheduled shift:

• they will offer to reschedule the session at no additional cost

• or provide an alternative doula if available.

If my failure to provide service is due to circumstances beyond anyone's control (for example: natural or catastrophic events, severe weather conditions, called to a attend a birth etc..); my fee will remain the same, and postpartum care will be rescheduled.

Additional Notes:

• Rescheduled shifts will be subject to availability and agreed upon by both parties.

• The full fee may be applicable if there are continuous / repeated cancellations and rescheduling of shifts. This will be at the doulas discretion. This applies to any continuous / repeated cancellations and rescheduling, even if more than 48 hours notice has been given each time.

  • Notice will be given to the client ahead of time.

Fees

• The retainer amount is 50% of your chosen package fee, which is due upon hiring and signing this contract. The retainer amount will be used towards services provided at the end of your care, and to reserve your time with me.

  • This retainer reflects the commitment to provide services, as well as your commitment to paying for the secured services and doula availability.

• Beginning the first week of care, the balance will be invoiced weekly. This will occur on Saturday for hours booked Monday-Sunday the following week. This applies to the beginning of care up until you have reached 50% of the total hours booked. Then your retainer will cover the second half of your care. At this point, no further weekly billing will occur, unless you choose to extend your doula care.

• Payment is due in full for short term contracts. 2 weeks or less.

• Payments can be made via Credit Card or E-transfer to sarah@durhamdoula.ca.

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

Please select your desired amount of support:

• New Parent Support

  • 0-20 Hours of support = $45/hour

  • Day-time hours

• Helping Hands Support

  • 21-50 Hours of support= $43/hour

  • Day-time hours

• Post Partum Warrior Support

  • 50+ Hours of support = $40/hour

  • Day-time hours

• Sweet Dreams Support

  • 8 Hours of continuous support= $330 flat fee

  • Night-time hours

You will be sent an invoice via email after the signing of this contract.
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 signing 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 postpartum 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. By filling out the form below, you indicate both doula and client understand the content and terms herein.