Terms & Conditions

Birth Doula Agreement

JUSTINE BOUCHARD NURTURINGWAYS DOULA

As a doula- I accompany women during the birth of their baby offering support for a safe and satisfying birth experience. I draw upon my childbirth knowledge and experience to provide emotional support, physical comfort and clear information to you and your partner.

I can provide reassurance and perspective, make suggestions for labour progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning, and other techniques for comfort.

As a doula, I do NOT perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, foetal assessments, vaginal exams etc. I am present to provide for your physical comfort, emotional support, and advocacy.

I am independent and self-employed. As your Doula, I am working for you, not your caregiver or the hospital/birth centre.

Choosing a Doula- If you choose to select me as your doula, I will become familiar with your plans for labour, birth, and post-partum and how I can best support you at this meaningful time.

I would like to know your own ideas for coping with labour and how you and your partner foresee working together.

I will inform you of times I am not available for labour support and will do my best to ensure my availability for your labour and birth. I will endeavour to provide a Backup Doula if unforeseeable circumstances prevent my attendance.

During late pregnancy. I am available for phone consultations and email questions. During the o call period, I encourage clients to check in with me every few days to let me know how their progressing.

I will be on-call (24 hours) for you from 2 weeks prior to 2 weeks following your estimated due date. When labour begins: you will let me know of any signs of pre or early labour. We will evaluate your needs by phone once labour has begun.

It is up to you to decide at what point in your labour you want me to come and be with you. During the labour I plan to be with you throughout your labour from the time you request my presence. I will provide support as appropriate; this may include- enhancing relaxation, encouraging movement, breathing, massage, emotional support, and other requests we may have discussed.

I respect and honour the sacred birthing space and support you and your partner to share the experience fully.

As a doula, I am present to provide your physical comfort, emotional support and advocacy. I do not make decisions for you. I will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision.

As your doula, I suggest the following prenatal meetings-

Meet with you and your partner to discuss the birth plan

(This may include de-briefing previous birth experiences)
Approx 1.5 hours

Attendance at childbirth education sessions class such as births, calm birth or hypnobirthing at your own cost.

During late pregnancy, I am available for phone consultations and email questions. I encourage you to check in with me every few days to let me know how your pregnancy is progressing.

I will be on-call (24 hours) for you from 2 weeks prior to 2 weeks following your estimated due date.

When labour begins: you will let me know of any signs of pre or early labour. We will evaluate your needs by phone once labour has begun. It is up to you to decide at what point you want me to come and be with you.

During labour: I plan to be with you throughout your labour from the time you request my presence.

I will provide support as appropriate, this may include- enhancing relaxation, encouraging movement, breathing, massage, emotional support and any other requests we have discussed. I respect and honour the sacred birthing space and support you and your partner to share the
experience fully.

After the birth: I am available to stay with you for one or two hours, or until you are comfortable, and your family is ready for private time together.

Post-natal visits: I would like to visit you following the birth either in a hospital or at home, within one or two weeks after your baby’s arrival.
• I can offer additional post-natal visits to assist with feeding/settling/sleep/nutrition/recovery at an extra cost if you would like extra support.

If I am unable to attend your birth, for example, a rapid birth, or should you choose not to call me at the time, I will provide additional post-partum services in lieu of the fees paid.

My fees for the services

I am offering my services at a total cost of $1600.

A retainer fee of $400 is due when you select me as your doula. The balance of $1200 is due within two weeks of your estimated due date.

Payment by direct deposit may be made into my bank account –
CBA Account name Justine Bouchard BSB 062-230 Account number 1023 9283
Please put your name as a reference, thank you.
I/we have read this letter of agreement describing Doula’s services and agree.
Mother
Partner

Doula
Date

I look forward to supporting you during this special and sacred time of birth.

My role as a post-natal Doula

As a post-natal doula my role is to support you in your transition to motherhood in the home following the birth of your baby/babies.

I aim to help you as you adjust to this new role and the many challenges and changed you may encounter, in the hope that should these arise they will be less overwhelming for you.

It is my hope to assist you to build confidence in yourself in this new role so that you may enjoy this special time.

I am NOT a Nanny/childcare worker and as such do not take over the care of your child but support you as you grow into your new role and become familiar with all that this brings.

My role is NOT as a medical practitioner, child health nurse or lactation consultant and therefore will not carry out any medical procedures/assessments or make decisions on you or your families behalf in these areas.

Billing

Individual bookings: Total fee to be paid prior to day of commencement

Packages may be invoiced weekly upon prior agreement

A holding fee of 25 percent is required for packages or bulk bookings.

Fees

Errands and grocery shopping

Please provide necessary funds for items purchased and any parking costs ,beforehand.

Cancellation of service

Please notify me 24 hours in advance if you need to reschedule to avoid a late cancellation fee.

Should you decide for any reason other than hospitalisation of mother or baby that previously arrange services are no longer needed you may be responsible for partial payment.

In the case of an illness or unforeseen event which requires rescheduling an arranged booking , I will notify you 24 hours in advance where possible and arrange a suitable day and time to provide the service.

Estimated due date

I ask that you notify me within 24-48 hours after the birth of your baby/babies so as to arrange our schedule.

Package booked

Dates /times

Services

I/We

Have chosen to employ as our post natal doula

I/we understand that is not a medical practitioner, child health nurse, or lactation consultant and as such is unable to perform medical procedures or assessments or make any decisions on our behalf.

I/we understand that the postnatal doula payment terms are;

Retainer fee of 25 per cent of total amount

Individual bookings- total fee paid in full prior to /on the day of commencement Packages invoiced weekly or paid in lump sum.

I/we have read the attached letter describing post natal services and agree that is reflects discussions we have had.

Client name/s

Client signature/s

Date

Postnatal doula

Signature

Date