SERVICE AGREEMENT

MY AIMS:
  • I will support you during your pregnancy, labor and in the postpartum period, in whatever choices you make. 
  • I will provide information to enable you to make informed choices. 
  • I will remain up to date on current research into birth related issues. 
  • I believe that birth is a normal physiological process and an important journey in a mother and father’s life. 
  • I will maintain complete confidentiality of all details relating to your pregnancy and birth. 
  • I will strive to support you during labor to ensure a positive birth experience and to help you to achieve the type of birth you would like.  
  • As I am independent and self-employed, I will be working for you, not your care provider or hospital. 
  • I do not perform clinical tasks such as blood pressure or fetal heart rate monitoring. I do provide physical, emotional and educational support. 
SERVICES INCLUDED:
  • I will draw on my knowledge and experience to provide emotional support, physical comfort, and communicate with the medical staff to make sure you have the information you need to make informed decisions during labor. 
  • I can provide reassurance and perspective to you, make suggestions to help labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning, and other techniques for comfort. 
  • I will be on call for you 24 hours a day beginning two (2) weeks before your estimated due date (EDD) up until labor begins. This means that I will carry my cellphone with me at all times, and will not leave town without advising you unless it is an emergency or an event not known about at the time of this contract signing.  
  • I will take responsibility as your primary doula. I am the person that you first contact when you are in labor. If for any reason you are unable to contact me, or due to an emergency I cannot be with you, please contact your assigned back-up doula. I will provide contact details to you.  
  • Once you have requested me to act as your doula, I will arrange an antenatal visit at approximately 34 weeks. During this visit I can discuss any questions you might have, sign our contract, and go over exactly what you want from me as your doula. I will discuss birth plan options, your personal information, when you will call me in labor, etc. An additional visit at approximately 36 weeks will be arranged to cover childbirth education including physiology of labor, further breathing & relaxation during labour.  If time allows, one more visit can be scheduled at 38 weeks to discuss in more detail about breastfeeding if that is your choice of feeding following birth. 
  • The presence of a doula lifts the sole responsibility of the labor off the shoulders of your partner, allowing him to enjoy the whole birth process. I can help your partner to feel calm and informed, giving him ideas to continue support from beginning to end. At no time will I "take over" or deliberately exclude your partner. I am there to provide support to both of you at all times. Sometimes a partner likes to stay by the mother’s side during the whole of labor, while others prefer to take a break. This is your birth experience and it is important that you feel free to decide on what you want at the time.  
  • I will answer questions and make suggestions over the phone any time before labor begins. 
  • I will provide early labor support as requested, including in your home. 
  • I will remain with you once active labor has begun until one to two hours after your baby is born. I may take short beaks for meals and rest if time allows – this will be discussed with you at the time and I will not leave you if it is inappropriate. 
  • I may utilise non-medical support techniques for labor and birth. 
  • I will strive to maintain a calm and peaceful birth environment. 
  • I will assist in providing information and supplying emotional support by telephone on postpartum care, breastfeeding, and newborn care after the birth, as requested. Please contact me if you have any concerns. If I cannot help, I will be able to find the appropriate person who can. I will help to initiate the breastfeeding process, if that is what you choose to do.  
  • Within the first 14 days after the birth of your baby I will visit you at home or in the hospital. I will answer any questions or give you a referral to the appropriate professional that can meet your needs. Follow-up visits can then be arranged if desired.
  • Although I am not a professional birth photographer, I will take pictures during your labour and birth if that is your wish and it does not affect my support of you or your partner. You will be given all copies of any photos taken for your own free use with no cost or obligation of repayment. I will not use any images of your birth on my website or affiliated sites (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook etc) without your express approval and consent. 
Copyright 2014 Doula On The Move Birth Services. All Rights Reserved