Letter of Agreement Birth Doula Service
(Effective April 4, 2024)
This Agreement is between the birthing person, “Client” and Melinda Ferguson, “doula”.
Birth Package
Your Birth Package includes a Get That Baby Out! workshop (roughly at 34 weeks) and 2 prenatal meetings (at roughly 36 and 38 weeks- but this timing is flexible), on-call availability to attend birth, attending birth, 2 postpartum meetings (usually around 3-5 days postpartum and 3 weeks postpartum), and unlimited phone and email support throughout the process.
• Prenatal meetings (usually 2-3 hours in duration): Depending on where in the process any particular meeting occurs, the topics of these meetings will include the following aspects: Discuss any particular concerns or thoughts you have about the pregnancy, your care provider, etc,; create, draft, and/or review birth plan and discuss care provider’s comments; discuss and review signs of labor starting; overview of stages of labor, what to expect in labor; work through pain medication preferences and pain coping techniques; discuss how to gather information for making the best choices for you as interventions are suggested; address your fears and concerns about the upcoming birth process (to include, as needed or desired, practicing pain coping techniques and role-playing advocating for yourself during labor), discuss how we can work together as a team, what you want from your doula at the birth, discussion of amount, type etc. of pictures you'd like your doula to take, discuss partner support and other topics, as needed or desired; and what to expect postpartum- emotionally, physically, lactation, newborn care, newborn behavior, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and any other particular concerns you may have; prepare a postpartum plan.
• On Call for the Birth: I will be available to you, 24/7 beginning from approximately 38 weeks onwards, although will likely have no problem attending if you go into labor before this time. You are always welcome to call with questions or concerns.
• Attend Birth: I will stay with you, providing support for as long as it takes to have your baby, and about an hour or so afterwards. It is common to spend 8 or more hours with a family, often as much as 12 hours. During this time I will provide encouragement, support with coping with contractions, massage, relaxation, visualization, suggestions for changing positions, help in making decisions about the medical management of the labor, support for the partner, in providing support for the laboring parent, as well as breaks for the partner. I may take pictures for you and may communicate with family members in the waiting area at your request. After the birth, I will help to settle the room, arranging food for the participants, taking pictures, and helping with the initial breastfeeding. Throughout labor I am available for whatever the laboring couple may need beyond medical needs, whether it be food, a cool washcloth, support for difficult decisions or help through the contractions. I suppors the family with whatever decisions are made, regardless of what my own choices or preferences may be.
• Postpartum meetings (with the first usually beginning 3-5 days postpartum and the second approximately 3 weeks postpartum): Process the birth, lactation support; newborn care information as needed, emotional support, provide resources for any particular challenges. I will also give you a timeline from the birth that will facilitate discussion.
What doulas do not do
· Perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, etc. Doulas do not make medical diagnosis. Doulas do provide physical comfort, emotional support, and advocacy.
· Make decisions for you. I will help you get the information you need to make an informed decision. I will also remind you if there is a departure from your birth plan.
· Speak to the staff instead of you regarding matters where decisions are being made. I will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you or your partner will speak on your behalf to the clinical staff.
Fees
The fee of $2400-$3000 is based upon a sliding scale. The sliding scale has a minimum required fee, and also contains an optional maximum fee, to be determined by the Client. The minimum, required, fee is to be paid as follows: 50% of the base fee is paid as a retainer, due at the time you choose me as your doula. This is a non-refundable retainer fee. You may think of this as the fee for prenatal and postpartum visits and the cost of being on-call for your birth. The balance of this minimum, required, fee is due 2 weeks after delivery, unless other arrangements have been made in advance. At the time you receive the postpartum invoice for the remainder of the minimum, required, fee, you will have the option of paying more, in any amount up to the maximum, optional, fee. Please also read this section on sliding scale structure.
Upon request, Calm and Confident Doula Care, LLC can provide you with an invoice, noting payments, suitable for use in submitting to your insurance company for re-imbursement. Only occasionally is doula care paid for in whole or part by health insurance, but it’s always worth asking!
Late Fees
All final invoices after birth services have been performed are due and payable within 30 days of the invoice date. Any invoices which remain unpaid beyond the 30 day billing period will be subject to a late fee of $20 and a recurring interest charge of 12% per annum.
Unforeseen Circumstances and Acts of Nature
I am committed to providing the support which my clients have retained me for, and which my clients expect from me. I am able to accomplish this by adequately managing my client load and schedule to avoid conflicts. However, I cannot control acts of nature, such as weather, pandemic, declared states of emergency, war, and other unforeseen circumstances. In such an event, it may not always be possible for me to meet the requirements of this Agreement, and I will do my best to come to a mutually agreed upon arrangement of additional support and/or reduced fee. The retainer payment remains non-refundable.
Fine Print
If for some reason, you choose not to use my services after signing this contract, you will forfeit the retainer fee. I reserve time in their schedule for your birth and turn away other prospective clients once hired.
If I am not at the birth due to my own circumstances (illness, injury, family emergency or at another birth, etc.) a backup doula will be provided for you by Calm and Confident Doula Care, LLC. I will make every effort to be available to you and take the commitment to provide support very seriously.
If I am not at the birth because you did not call for any reason (including your choosing to not call early enough to allow ample time to get to you), the balance is still due. Additional postpartum support may be available in this circumstance.
I adhere to the DONA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. I want you to feel you have received excellent support throughout your birthing experience!
Reaching Your Doula:
*I am on-call for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, beginning about two weeks prior to your due date (earlier when we know the baby is likely to come early). Once you have established that support is needed please allow me 1 hour to reach you, more during high traffic times.