Client Contract: Postpartum Doula
Agreement for Postpartum Doula Services
Definition of a Postpartum Doula: A Postpartum Doula is a non-medical assistant in prenatal care, childbirth and during the postpartum period.
Services of a Postpartum Doula
A Postpartum Doula works with each family individually to find out their particular needs. Some of the postpartum services that a doula will perform include: Breastfeeding support, help with the emotional and physical recovery after birth, light housekeeping, running errands, assistance with newborn care (such as diapering, bathing, feeding and comforting), light meal preparation, baby soothing techniques, sibling care, referrals to local resources (parenting classes, pediatricians, lactation support and other parenting support groups), and so on. The Doula will also provide a one-hour, in-home session prior to the time of service if possible, ideally before the baby is born. The purpose of this session is to meet the family, understand the home layout, and help the family ensure their house is ready to bring home baby.
Obligations of the Postpartum Doula
Services are to be provided according to the dates specified below. If the Postpartum Doula is unable to come, she will inform the new mother or a designated representative of her family as soon as the Postpartum Doula knows she is unavailable. The Postpartum Doula will always keep the the Client's parenting style in mind and not force her opinions on the Client(s). The Postpartum Doula will be available by phone and e-mail during regular business hours when she is not with the the Parent during the period of employment by the Client(s). The Postpartum Doula will be flexible so the Client's needs can be met.
Obligations to the Doula
The Client(s) need to let the Postpartum Doula know of any special needs or customs they may have during the postpartum period. The Postpartum Doula asks for the Client(s) to be flexible as well since sickness and other events could happen in her life.
The Postpartum Doula's minimum daytime hours per day is 3 hours. The Postpartum Doula’s minimum overnight hours per night is 8 hours. At anytime, extra days may be added, and The Postpartum Doula will try to be flexible to allow for this.
There is a $150.00 deposit due at the time of signing this contract. This is a non-refundable retainer applied to the last week(s) of services. The doula cannot reserve space in her calendar until the deposit and contract are signed. Once service begins, the services will be paid for on a weekly basis as laid out below. Payment can be made via cash/check/credit card (processing fees apply for online payment). If mother/partner decides to contract the Postpartum Doula for more hours after the completion of this contract, she may do so pending the Postpartum Doulas availability. This may occur once this contract payment is satisfied and then contracting another set of hours with 50% down at that time. The Postpartum Doula will invoice the client each Friday for weekly payments.
Doula Term of Practice
A Postpartum Doula provides evidenced based information on things such as infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, mother – baby bonding, infant soothing, and basic newborn care. The Postpartum Doula is there to help a new family in those first days and weeks after bringing home a new baby. A Postpartum Doula is not a housekeeper, nor a medical practitioner and will not perform any clinical procedures, outside of weighing the baby and assisting with breastfeeding and breastfeeding education.
A Postpartum Doula does not assess for recovery of vaginal tears or cesarean incision recovery of the mother although she may provide traditional methods of helping the mother recover from birth, and will observe for signs of infection and/or postpartum depression, educating the mother on signs and symptoms regarding these issues. A Postpartum Doula may provide information for the new mother's partner in order to assist in observation for signs of infection and/or postpartum depression.
Failure to Provide Support
The Postpartum Doula will make every effort to be with the Client at the scheduled times. If she is not able to come due to sickness or other emergencies (including attending another birth as a Birth/Labor Doula if she is on call.) The Client(s) will be informed in advance if there is an overlap and the Postpartum Doula is on call for another family as a Birth/Labor Doula and the Postpartum Doula will provide support on another day, or provide a backup caregiver for that particular day if possible.
Purposeful Giving Program
I am intentional about making my prices affordable for families in this area. I never want money to be an issue for those who feel that they need a doula or would like memories captured through photography. If you are in financial need and unable to pay the standard fee, please feel free to contact me and we will work something out.
If you are a family that can pay more or would like to add an extra $50-$100 to your fee to help sponsor another family in need, I would be happy to use those funds to help cover the expenses of their doula services/photography services.