As
a Doula, I accompany women in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth
experience. I will draw on my knowledge
and experience to provide emotional support, physical comfort and as needed, assistance
communicating with the medical staff to make sure you have the information that
you need to make informed decisions. I
provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions
for labor progress, give massage, guide relaxation, and help with positioning
and other techniques for your comfort.
I am independent and self-employed.
As your Doula, I work for you, not your caregiver or the hospital.
I prefer to meet with you
and your partner at least twice before your birth, if possible, usually at your
home. The first visit is to get
acquainted, discuss your priorities, your hopes for this birth, and answer any
questions or concerns you might have in hiring a Doula to attend your birth. This meeting does not obligate you to use my
services. If you do decide to contract
my services, you may expect the following from me:
24 hour on-call
beginning two (2) weeks before your due date
back-up arrangements in
case of illness or emergency
early labor support
as needed in home or hospital
assistance in drafting
an informed birth plan
provide information
on childbirth education classes in your community
complement or
supplement information received in those classes
pre-natal visits and
phone/email contact
post-partum visit and
phone/email contact
constant care,
attention and support once active labor has begun
maintain a calm birth
experience
assistance in
unexpected outcomes in providing support, guidance and information
breastfeeding support
and counseling or referrals, if needed
parenting and newborn
information and referrals, if needed or requested
Just as important as
what I will do is what I will not do.
As a Doula, I do not perform clinical tasks, vaginal examinations, fetal
heart checks, or blood pressure, etc. I
do not make decisions for you. I will
help you get the information you need to make informed choices but the decisions
to have or not to have a procedure must be yours alone. I will also remind you if something proposed
is a departure from your birth plan.
I do not speak to the
medical staff in your place regarding matters where decisions must be
made. I will discuss your concerns with
you and suggest options, but you and your partner will speak on your behalf to
the medical staff.
Includes all services above: $800.00
Discount of Services: $50.00 discount if you attended a Childbirth Education class I taught. $25.00 discount if you have taken my private home class for Happiest Baby.
Terms: 1/2 of payment is due at signing of contract. The second half is due at 38 weeks of pregnancy or 2nd prenatal visit.
Insurance Reimbursement: After the birth of the baby, I will give you a form with instructions to file with your insurance company. I cannot guarantee reimbursement, but will do my best to help you with the process. As your Doula, I will make every effort to provide the services described. Sometimes this is impossible. There may be circumstances beyond anyone's control, i.e., Act of God, or I am not available and the back-up Doula does not arrive in time. In such a case, 1/2 of the fee will be refunded. If my failure to attend your birth is because of your failure to call me or your labor is so rapid that I am unable to arrive in time, the remaining fee is still due and payable.
