Service Outline

• Support to the new family structure

• Physical and emotional support

• Listening to your birth story, your fears, celebrating the joys, praises, etc...

• Baby care education and support

  • Assist / education on best practices for bathing, feeding, comforting the baby, etc...

  • Baby-wearing education & assistance

  • Feeding support

  • Referrals to specialist if required

  • Simple, nutritious meal preparation, in your home.

  • Light housework

    • Laundry

    • Bottles / Dishes, etc.)

• Baby care on the premises, so parents can rest

• Telephone, text, and/or email support with your doula

• Tracking feedings, diapers, sleep as requested by parents.

• Minimum shift for daytime support = 4 hours

• Minimum Shift for overnight support = 8 hours

• Night shifts typically run from 10pm to 6am, unless agreed upon otherwise with your doula. 

• If you require your doula to arrive early or stay later, additional time will be billed accordingly.

Your doula is dedicated and focused on delivering comprehensive support, providing parents with the opportunity to feel supported, educated and to rest peacefully while ensuring the well-being of your baby(ies).

Resting Care

Once nightly tasks and ongoing obligations have been successfully completed, and when the baby is sleeping, then and only then, your doula may, occasionally rest/nap intermittently alongside your sleeping baby. We ask that you provide a comfortable resting area within the home. 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 your family.

Specific care techniques will be shared with your postpartum care team to uphold consistency in your care.

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 shift. Any shifts scheduled during the term of illness may be rescheduled once the household member has be symptom free for 24 hours. 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.

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 all applicable laws in the practice of doula services.

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: 

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 overnight support = $330

• Additional Night-time hours = $45/hour

All fees are subject to HST

Doulas are not required to work on Statutory Holidays. If you and your doula agree to schedule a shift on a statutory holiday, it will be billed at 1.5x the hourly rate.

A retainer equal to 50% of your booking is due upon booking. This is a non-refundable retainer that is used towards the end of 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.

• When booking less than 2 weeks of care, the total amount for your care will be due in full.

• All postpartum hours from the initial booking must be used within 12 weeks unless otherwise discussed with your doula. You may request to add additional hours (pending doula availability).

• Before you reach the last 2 weeks of care, we will reach out to see if you would like to extend your services (pending doula availability). Please let us know as early as possible if you would like to extend your care. If you choose to extend, you will be billed weekly. (Note: Extensions will be billed at current website pricing. This may be different than the original rates. Rates increase annually).

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

If your doula runs errands for you on their way to your home, their shift will begin when they arrive at their first stop.

Billing Schedule

• Retainers are due upon booking

• Beginning the first week of care, the balance will be invoiced weekly. This will occur on Monday or Tuesday for hours booked Monday-Sunday the previous week. This applies to the beginning of care up until you have reached the amount of the retainer. 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.

• Please check your inbox/spam/junk folder for billing emails as sometimes they land here

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

Payment Options

Credit Card

E-transfer, Sarah@durhamdoula.ca

NSF payments are subject to a $100 administration fee

All services will be confirmed once your deposit is received.

Cancellations / Refunds:

• Retainers are non-refundable.

• If you choose to cancel your initial booking. Your retainer will not be refunded and services will not take place.

• If you choose to modify your initial booking within 4 weeks of your due date, you may reduce your initial booking by no more than 50%. Your retainer will not be refunded and up to 50% of the hours initially booked will take place as scheduled with your doula.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Failure to Provide Postpartum Doula Services:
Your doula will make every effort to provide the services described here. Sometimes this is impossible (for example, your doula may get called to a birth before or during their shift). If the failure to attend a shift is due to our error, there will be no charge for the hours missed. If it is due to your choice to cancel a shift with less than 48 hours of notice, no refund will be issued. 

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 wish to cancel your unused services because of a miscarriage/stillbirth, infant or parental death, we will provide you with a full refund. 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. 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.

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.