The Agreement
As your doula, I will accompany you 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 information you need to make informed decisions as they arise. I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for comfort. I am independent, self-employed, and work for you, not your caregiver or hospital.
I will meet with you or you and your partner at least once per month throughout your pregnancy, and more often in the last trimester if you like. We will explore and discuss your priorities and any fears or concerns and how I might best serve you. I will provide education about pregnancy, childbirth and newborn care, and I will help you create your own intentions for your birth. I will be available to answer questions on the phone and with emails, and I will introduce you to a backup doula who will provide standard doula services during your labor and delivery in the rare event that I am not available.
Please be aware that:
I do not perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, or other medical procedures.
I do not make decisions for you. I will help you get the information necessary to make your own
informed decisions. I will be familiar with your birth plan (intentions) and remind you if there is a departure from it.
I will discuss your concerns with you and talk about possible options, so that you can make your own choices.
WHEN YOU ARE IN LABOR
Please call me when you think you are in labor or if you notice water leaking, even if you feel you do not yet need me. I (or my backup) will usually be with you within an hour from the time you ask me to come. I will answer questions and make suggestions by phone, and we will decide whether to meet at your home or other birth place. Except for extraordinary circumstances, I will remain with you throughout labor and birth. If I come to your home when you are in labor, I will continue to provide support if we transfer to a hospital or birthing center. I will not drive or provide the vehicle for transport.
AFTER THE BIRTH
I will remain with you after the birth until you are comfortable with my leaving and your family is ready for quiet time together. After the birth I will take photographs of your new family if you wish, and help with initial breastfeeding.
I will be available by phone to answer questions about the birth of your baby and will visit with you at your home after the birth, at your convenience, to see how you and the family are doing, to direct you to community resources if you need them, to review the birth, to admire your baby, and to get feedback from you about my role.
FEES
The full fee for these services is $ 1,000 to be paid as follows:
A $400.00 non-refundable retainer fee -- due by the first prenatal visit. This may be sent prior to the first prenatal visit to ensure that your space is held. This fee covers the cost of the prenatal visit(s), handouts, my on-call availability and possibly declining other potential clients to avoid overbooking.
The $600.00 balance is due no later than two weeks before your “due” date.
Please let me know if you would like to use Mother Nurture Doula Service, but cannot afford the fees. I am open to trades and alternate payment plans. I also accept credit card payments.
I understand that Mother Nurture Doula Services and Linda Walling provide information to help me to make informed decisions and that these services in no way take the place of ob/gyn or pediatric care or therapy, and I am aware that the use of a doula does not guarantee particular pregnancy, labor or birth outcomes. I know that unexpected complications may arise and I am aware that if they do I should seek the advice of a medical doctor or midwife to deal with any health-related issues. I will not hold Mother Nurture, Linda Walling, or back up doulas liable for any problems that may arise for me or my baby during my pregnancy, labor, delivery, or postpartum.
