Signature Doula Package
My goal is to help you have a satisfying birth as you define it. My role as a birth doula is to provide physical, emotional, and informational support to women during their labor as well as encouraging communication with the staff at the birthplace to ensure that you have the information needed to make informed decisions regarding your baby’s birth. All information you give to me I keep strictly confidential.
The first meeting is a time for us to get to know each other and decide if we want to work together. It is very important that you and your partner are comfortable with me and with my role in the birth. If you or your partner decide that we do not fit well, I encourage you to say so, and I will be happy to refer you to a list of local Doulas with whom you may have a better connection. If you do decide to retain me as your doula, you must sign this contract and return it via email or in person. The Retainer Fee is due upon return of this contract signed by you (and your partner). The Retainer Fee is 50% of the full fee and is required in order to reserve your due date on my calendar. A payment receipt for the Retainer Fee is required to be provided along with the signed contract.
Prenatal Visit
It is important to meet a few times before the labor to explore and discuss your priorities and to plan how we might best work together. During the prenatal meetings, we will review your preferences for labor and birth. I will ask about the expectations you have of your partner and myself during the birth, plus the roles of anyone else that will be attending the birth. The more we explore this in advance, the better I will be able to fulfill my role to support you. We will typically meet 3-4 times. In some instances we may meet more than four times, in others we may meet less.
On-Call
I am available for phone and email consultations immediately from the date that the signed contract is returned to me and receipt of payment of the Retainer Fee is confirmed. I encourage you to contact me with questions, concerns and any updates. I will get back to you as soon as I can - this will usually be immediate, but definitely within 24 hours. I also require you to inform me of and about your meetings with the midwife or responsible doctor to discuss any appointments and if you have any concerns, so that I am up to date with all relevant details throughout the pregnancy. It is important that we keep in contact with one another and communicate in the best way we can by keeping the channel of communication open and constant.
At 38-42 weeks I will consider myself on call for you and will be available for you by phone at all times. If for any reason, I do not answer when you call, please leave a message and I will return your call as soon as is practicable.
In Labor
When you think labor has begun, you must contact me as soon as possible, even if you are not sure whether you are really in labor. Again, the more notice I have, the better prepared I can be. Once you confirm that you are in labor, we will then plan to check in with one another every hour, or as often as you prefer, by phone. It is up to you to decide at what point in your labor you want me to come and be with you. Once you make that choice, barring any unforeseen circumstances (traffic, emergencies, etc.), I will be there within 1-2 hours.
If your labor goes beyond 24 hours, I may need to call for back up doula care. Although I like to space my clients in order to ensure that I am available to attend every birth, the nature of birth means that there is the rare occasion in which I may be at another birth when a client goes into labor. I will arrange for you to meet a backup doula just in case this happens.
After Birth
I generally remain with a client for 1-2 hours after birth, until you are comfortable, and your newly born family is ready for quiet time together. Each situation and birth is different and my duties will vary depending on your needs.
PostPartum Visit(s)
My services include one or two postpartum visits, the first within a few days after the birth. During the visits, I can provide breastfeeding support, baby care tips, referrals to community resources, and a chance to discuss your birth experience.