A birth doula contract is a legal document that outlines the responsibilities, expectations, and liabilities of a doula to her client. This document should be tailored to suit the needs of each individual’s unique situation.
Generally, a birth doula contract must include clauses regarding the services to be provided, the payment plan and schedule, how emergencies will be handled, and any restrictions on conducting business.
Birth Doulas offer essential support to families during the significant moment of childbirth. Having an official contract with a Birth Doula can be very helpful to avoid misunderstandings and potential issues for both the doula and the family. The contract outlines the responsibilities of each party, scheduling, limitations, and other important information.
The Role of a Birth Doula
Giving birth can be a stressful and overwhelming experience for any mother. That’s why having the right support during childbirth can make all the difference. One way to ensure a mother is getting the support she needs is by hiring a birth doula.
A birth doula is a type of doula who is a trained and experienced professional that provides continuous emotional, physical, and informational support to a mother before, during, and shortly after childbirth.
What is a Birth Doula Contract?
A birth doula contract is a written agreement that outlines the roles and responsibilities of the birth doula and the client. The contract is designed to ensure that both parties are on the same page and have a clear understanding of what is expected.
A birth doula contract may include (but not limited to):
- The scope of services provided by the birth doula
- Payment terms and fees
- Doula’s availability before delivery, during labor, and after birth
- Doula’s rights for self-care and care for her family
- Client’s responsibilities, such as providing information and resources to the doula
- Cancellation policies
- Confidentiality and privacy of client information
- Legal rights, including termination of the contract if either party is not satisfied
Looking for a contract agreement for a postpartum doula? Please check this guide here – Postpartum Doula Contract Template Sample
Benefits of Having a Birth Doula Contract
Having a birth doula contract offers several benefits to both the client and the doula, such as:
1. Setting Clear Expectations: A birth doula contract helps clarify the role of the doula and defines its scope of practice. The contract makes it clear what services the doula will be providing and ensures that the client knows what to expect from the doula.
2. Creating Boundaries: It can be easy for the doula-client relationship to become blurred without a contract. Having a birth doula contract ensures that the boundaries of the relationship are well-defined. This helps to prevent any misunderstandings or confusion during the birthing process.
3. Defining Payment Terms and Conditions: A birth doula contract outlines the fees and payment terms, making the costs transparent and clear to the client. This helps to avoid any awkward conversations about payment after the birthing process is complete.
4. Protecting the Doula-Client Relationship: A birth doula contract can stipulate what will happen in case of a disagreement or a change in circumstances during the birthing process. This helps to protect both the client and the doula from any unexpected situations that may arise.
Also Read: What is an Antepartum Doula?
Sample Birth Doula Contract Template
Birth Doula Contract Template
This agreement is entered into between ____________, hereafter referred to as the “Client”, and ____________, hereafter referred to as the “Doula”.
Short Definition of a Birth Doula: A birth doula is a trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to women before childbirth, during labor and shortly after delivery.
Scope of Services: This contract details the services offered by the Birth Doula to their Client, which are tailored to the needs of each family. These services may include:
Pre-Birth Services
1. Prenatal visits: The Doula will provide up to [insert number] prenatal visits, which will be scheduled at the convenience of the Client. The purpose of these visits is to:
- assist in creating the birth plan
- provide childbirth education
- discuss exercises that can be done before giving birth
- address the client’s concerns and answer any questions related to the birthing process by providing evidence-based information
2. Phone/Email/Text support: The Doula will be available to the Client via phone, email, or text to discuss any concerns or questions related to the birthing process.
Labor and Delivery Services
1. On-call period: The Doula will be on call 24/7, starting from two weeks before the due date and ending at the time the baby is delivered.
2. Continuous labor support: The Doula will provide continuous support to the Client during labor and delivery. The Doula will be present at the place of delivery and provide emotional and physical support to the Client, including, but not limited to:
- aromatherapy, breathing exercises, massage, and position adjustments to provide comfort during childbirth
- tips for advancing through labor
- guidance in any communication barrier between the mother and healthcare personnel
- guidance in breastfeeding
Additionally:
- The Client may ask the Doula to provide support by being present at her home during active labor. The Doula can then go with the Client to the hospital or birth center. In this case, additional charges will apply that will be agreed upon between the Doula and the Client.
- The Doula agrees to remain with the family during the entire labor and delivery unless it is requested or required for her to leave.
- The Doula will remain with the Client until up to [insert number] hours after the birth of the baby.
- The aim of the doula is for the Client to have an overall positive birthing experience.
Postpartum Services
1. Postpartum Visit: The Doula will visit the Client once, a few days following the birth of the baby to check on the Client and to offer support and guidance. The Doula will:
- discuss the birth experience
- provide guidance in postpartum care
- assist in breastfeeding or bottle-feeding
- provide guidance in newborn care
- provide advice on parenting techniques
- answer any questions or concerns
- provide referrals and other reliable resources for further postpartum care
2. Phone/Email/Text support: Until the postpartum visit will take place, the Doula will be available via phone, email or text to discuss any concerns or questions related to breastfeeding, postpartum care, and newborn care.
Limitations of a Birth Doula: The Birth Doula does not have the authority to provide medical advice, diagnose medical issues or prescribe medications. The Birth Doula is not a nurse, midwife, or any other type of medical professional and cannot provide any type of medical care.
Responsibilities of the Client
- To inform the Doula in a timely manner when labor has begun or if there are any changes to the scheduled birth.
- To provide adequate and clear information about the medical care and plans related to the birth.
- To communicate respectfully and openly with the Doula.
- To inform their chosen healthcare provider and physician that a Doula has been hired and will be present during the delivery stage of the pregnancy.
Responsibilities of the Doula
- To provide continuous emotional, physical, and informational support to the Client before, during labor, and after delivery.
- To communicate effectively and respectfully with the Client.
- To provide evidence-based information to the Client and her family so they can make informed choices about care during labor and delivery.
- To support the Client and her family in whatever decision they will make, especially regarding labor and delivery, and not pressure them into any decisions.
- To provide guidance to the Client’s partner and family on how to best support her throughout the different stages of pregnancy, including labor and post-delivery. At no time, the Doula replaces the role of the partner or family members.
Unplanned/ Unexpected Cases
- In case of rapid birth or medical emergency, the Doula may not be able to realistically provide some of the services listed in this contract. In this case, the Doula will provide postpartum support as stated in this contract.
- If the Client planned for a vaginal delivery and received labor support from the Doula but then ultimately requires a Caesarean section, the Doula may still provide support during the surgery if permitted by the Client’s physician. In such case, the full fee for the Doula will be applicable and no refund will be given. If the Client or the physician will choose not to have the Doula present for the Caesarian section, the retainer fee will not be refunded. The remaining balance of $_________ will no longer be charged.
- If for whatever reason the Client fails to inform the Doula that she’s in labor, the Client will not be refunded for any amount paid. Any unpaid balance must also be paid. In such case, the Doula will provide postpartum support as stated in this contract.
Fees and Payment
- A non-refundable retainer fee of $_________ is to be paid upon signing this contract.
- Remaining fee of $_________ is to be paid at the Client’s 35th week of pregnancy.
- Accepted forms of payment are cash, check, or online transfer.
- If the Client prefers a different payment plan, the Doula will do their best to make arrangements to meet their needs.
- It is recommended that the Client confirms with their insurance provider if the Doula’s services are covered.
Refunds and Cancellations: Refunds are not offered under any circumstances. If the Client cancels the contract within six weeks of the estimated due date, the Client shall pay a cancellation fee of [insert fee here] to the Doula.
If for any reason the Birth Doula is unable to attend the birth, such as illness or bad weather, a replacement doula will be provided to ensure continued support for the mother. The fees and rates for the Birth Doula service will remain unchanged.
Additional services that may require extra fees: If the Client asks for services not included in the Scope of Services, the Birth Doula will talk to the Client beforehand about any extra charges for the additional services.
Confidentiality and Liability: The Birth Doula agrees to maintain Client confidentiality and will not disclose any information or details about the Client or their family to any third party without the Client’s express consent. The Birth Doula is not liable for any damages incurred by the Client or their family during services rendered.
By signing below, the Client acknowledges that they have read and understood the terms and conditions of this agreement and agrees to abide by them.
Client Signature
Date:
Birth Doula Signature
Date:
Birth Doula or Labor Doula Contract PDF Sample
Below is a sample PDF file of this contract for your reference. Feel free to modify any of the details to better suit both you and your client’s requirements. As the one most familiar with your client’s needs, you are best equipped to make those adjustments.
Summary
It is important to have a legal and binding contract between both parties, as it helps to clearly define their rights and obligations. Relying on verbal agreements, handshakes or assumptions can lead to disputes. Therefore, having a Birth Doula contract will help protect both the doula and the client. Before beginning work together, it is recommended for a doula and client to review the contract together.
Read about Full Spectrum Doulas here – What is a Full Spectrum Doula?