Postpartum Doula Agreement
As a postpartum doula I provide emotional, physical and informational support for families in the days, weeks and months postpartum, until all members of the family feel comfortable with their new roles and responsibilities. I am able to help new mothers with comfort measures and achieving the rest they need to ensure a complete recovery from childbirth. My knowledge and experience allow me to offer new parents accurate information in basic baby care (including, but not limited to, bathing, sleeping, diapering, ways for daddies to get involved, babywearing, and calming a fussy baby) along with suggestions for all members of the family in adjusting to their new roles. I am available to assist with breastfeeding, lite housekeeping, meal preparation, older sibling care, running errands, some pet care, and fielding phone calls, visitors and inaccurate advice from others, for the family.
Part of my job also includes helping you find information for questions that may arise which are beyond my scope of training, and screening and observing for possible problems (significant breastfeeding difficulties, postpartum mood disorders, symptoms of infection or illness in mother or infant, etc...) in order to refer you to the correct specialists to meet your needs. Ultimately, my goal is to work myself out of a job by equipping and assisting your family so well in your adjustments that you no longer have a need for my services- I want to see you succeed and thrive as a family!
Tasks a postpartum doula does NOT perform:
It is not within my scope as a postpartum doula to administer medications (prescribed or over-the-counter) to any member of the family, diagnose any medical condition, perform any major household tasks (such as mopping, window washing, yard work, or household fixes), take-over baby care for the family, discipline older children, or transport any member of the client’s family. I will also not make decisions about baby-care for you, however, I will help you find the information you need to make those decisions yourself.
Prenatally:
Prior to your birth I am available for 1-2 visits so that we can become better acquainted with each other and so that I can familiarize myself with the basic layout of your home in order for me to be most effective during my postpartum visits with you. During these prenatal visits we will also discuss what tasks are most important to you for me to carry out during my postpartum visits with your family. Although many women find that their needs after birth are very different than those they expected, these visits give us the chance to create a basic outline to work from, and allow me to have a clear idea of your expectations of my services. In addition we can address any questions or concerns you may have, or topics you would like more information about.
Postpartum Visit Scheduling:
I ask that you notify me within 24 hours after your birth so that I may make appropriate arrangements in my schedule for my visits. I require 48 hours notice prior to the start of my first visit, in order to make these arrangements (unless we agree otherwise, which will be noted below).
Estimated Due Date: ___________________________
(It is understood that services may begin well before or after, the date noted above, depending on when you actually give birth)
Services are to begin within ________ days of the birth of your baby.
Services are to be provided for __________ hours, __________ days a week, for the first _______ week(s). After this point services will be scheduled on an as needed basis.
Phone and E-mail Support:
Directly following birth, and for the following 6 weeks, I will be on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for phone services, meaning that I guarantee a return call to you within one hour of your call to answer any questions or concerns you may have, or simply to offer sympathy and support. I also check my e-mail regularly throughout the day and am easily accessible in this way as well. Throughout the duration of the rest of our working relationship I will be available by phone and e-mail for any questions or concerns you may have, and guarantee a response to you in the same day if you contact me before 9 pm.
Billing:
I require a $150 fee at time of contract signing as a non-refundable retainer to reserve my time. This fee is applied toward prenatal visits, hand-outs, “on-call” phone availability and the first 6 hours of postpartum visits. Payment for the remainder of the doula services I provide will be expected upon the completion of the outlined contract. Any services requested over and above that contract will be scheduled based on doula’s willingness and availability. Payment for such additional services will be due at the end of each two week service period, at which time you will be provided with an invoice for hours worked.
For billing purposes, an hour will be considered to begin when I arrive at your home at the previously designated time. If you request that I run errands for you on the way to your home, the hour will begin when I arrive at the first stop.
Fees & Contract Stipulations:
Minimum of 15 contracted hours
2 hour minimum/ 5 hour maximum per day
No more than 8 contracted hours per week
$16 per hour
$1 added per additional child per hour (multiples or older siblings to be cared for)
$0.41 per mile to and from your home
Payments can be made by check (to Chic & Savvy Mamas), cash, credit or debit card, or Paypal. In the event that you prefer to pay by credit or debit card, or Paypal, I will e-mail you a “request for money” invoice via Paypal for the retainer fee, directly following the signing of this contract. A second invoice will be e-mailed to you within a week of your birth. Payment will be expected within 2 days of sending online invoices. Please remember that you have not reserved my services until I have received the retainer fee.
Cancellations & Refunds:
All cancellation notifications are to be given at least 24 hours in advance of scheduled hours. In the event that less than 24 hours cancellation notice is given, the family will still be charged for 50% of the total fee for the scheduled hours. If the family wishes to reschedule a visit (for reasons other than illness, emergency or extreme weather) but does not inform the doula until the day of the visit, a $20 rescheduling fee will be applied.
Occasionally events occur which are unpredictable and may affect the dates previously agreed upon. In the event of illness or emergencies for either party, or severe weather, every effort will be made to reschedule services as soon as possible for another time. If any payment has already been made for those scheduled hours, it will be applied to future services.
Once we schedule a set of hours and days together, I will do everything in my power not to change them. That being said, I am a birth doula as well and am occasionally on call for a birth while working with a postpartum client. Though it rarely happens, if my birth client goes into labor I will contact you to temporarily cancel our arranged time, and after the birth I will call to reschedule your hours. In addition, I am very cautious about what I bring into a home with a newborn. Though this also rarely happens, if I think I may be sick, or coming down with something, I will not hesitate to call you and reschedule if that is what you are more comfortable with.
If for any unforeseen reason I am unable to carry out our contract, I will do my best to provide you with a well qualified back-up doula who will take over services and payment from that point forward.
To summarize, my services include:
1-2 prenatal visits
At least 15 hours of contracted postpartum support
“On-call” phone services for the first 6 weeks postpartum
Unlimited phone & e-mail contact throughout duration of services
Packet of information that you may find helpful
I/we have read and understood this letter describing the doula’s services and agree to its terms. I consent to the release of this and all other information pertaining to me to the person(s) designated as backup for my birth. In signing this contract, you agree to pay for services on the days that are mentioned above. In return, the doula commits to provide these services and not to accept future postpartum clients which would interfere with her ability to perform the scheduled services.
Date:_______________________
Client______________________________ Partner________________________________
Doula________________________________