Services and Fees

BIRTH DOULA INFO

What is a Birth Doula?

Choosing a Doula

It is very important that you and your partner feel comfortable with me and my role in the birth. If, after this meeting, you or your partner decide that you want to interview other doulas ,  please let me know and I will be happy to refer you to other doulas which may be a better fit.

If you do select me, I will want to meet with you two more times to further discuss your preferences and options.  I can provide you with additional educational information to complement your prenatal classes.

Note * If you wish, I can provide private prenatal classes in your home. There is an additional fee of $100.00 for two, 2 hour private sessions in your home, if you decide to take advantage of this option.

  My Availability

From the moment you have retained me by signing this agreement and giving me a retainer fee (my fee schedule and financial agreement is listed below ) I will consider myself "on-call" to provide support for you. I will notify you of any times when I am unavailable and will provide the name and contact information for a back-up doula.

It would be a very rare circumstance in which I would need to call for back up, but experience has taught me that it is wise to be prepared. I have selected my back up doulas based on their excellent reputations and their comparable experience to my own. If you have questions or concerns about this please ask before retaining my services. Once retained, I am available by phone for consultations. You may call me anytime with a serious concern, but I do ask that all non emergent calls be placed between 8 am and 10 pm.

Prenatal Meetings

We will have two prenatal meeting to prepare and review your Birth Plan, a written guide to our plan and strategy for achieving the birth you desire, and talk in detail about your preferences regarding your birth. I will ask about your knowledge and feelings about the birth process. I will invite you to share your own tried and true ways of coping with challenges. We will explore what resources we can draw upon to assist you with the birthing experience. I will invite you to share how you and your partner foresee working together, and the roles of others who may be attending the birth. We can discuss any concerns you have regarding the birth. We can review your preferences regarding the use of pain medications and natural coping techniques.

My role is to help you have a satisfying birth as you define it. The more we explore this in advance, the better I will be able to fulfill this role.

When you are in Labor

When you think labor has begun, call me ASAP and let me know so I can begin making arrangements for attending the birth. Birth doulas are accustomed to being woken up in the middle of the night. I prefer that you call me when you think you are in labor, even if you do not yet need my physical presence right then. Together, we can access your need for support. Together, we will decide if I should come right then or wait for further changes .  I typically  need approximately one to two hours to get to you from the time you ask me to come. We will also decide where to meet - at your home or the hospital. I, or my back-up, will remain with you throughout the labor and birth.

At Your Birth

I can offer help and advice with comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement, positioning, and massage, hydrotherapy and emotional support. I can support you as you navigate the process of your labor, help you understand your options, and facilitate your birth plan.  I can also serve as an advocate for your needs with the medical staff, under some circumstances. I can echo your preferences to them, but will not speak on your behalf.  My most critical role is providing continuous emotional reassurance and comfort.

After the Birth

I will plan to remain with you to assist with initial breastfeeding and until you are comfortable and ready for quiet time together with your new family.  I am available by phone to answer questions about the birth or your baby and would like to get together with you within one to three days to see how you are doing,  review your birth, and answer any questions or concerns that you may have.

Limitations of Doula Practice

As a Doula, I do not make decisions for you. I will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision. I will also remind you if a routine intervention is recommended which may cause a departure from the "plans" you made prior to birth and may negatively impact your original goal for your birth experience.

As a Doula, I do not perform clinical tasks. I am there to provide only physical comfort, emotional support, and advocacy.

As a Doula, I do not speak for you to the medical staff. I will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you or your partner will need to make your preferences known to the clinical staff.

I will make every effort to provide the services described herein. Sometimes, due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a very fast labor,  this may be impossible.  If my failure to attend your birth, or provide you with a back up doula, is due to my own error or circumstances beyond our control,  there will be no charge for my services beyond the $300 retainer fee, which covers the cost of prenatal visit(s), educational materials and my availability.

If my missing your birth is due to your failure to call me in a reasonable time frame (when you know you are in active labor), I will keep, or you will owe me, the agreed upon full cost of service.

Fees

My fee for birth doula services, described above, is $600.00 The fee is to be paid as follows:

$ 300.00 as a retainer fee, due when you select me as your doula (non-refundable)

$ 300.00 due within two weeks of the birth

(If the payment schedule should pose a problem, I am happy to discuss other options)