As birth doulas, we provide emotional, informational, and physical support to a woman during her pregnancy, labor and delivery. We can also facilitate communication with the birthplace staff to ensure that you have the information you need to make informed decisions regarding your baby’s birth. We 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 your comfort. We are independent and self-employed, and as such are working for YOU, not your caregiver or place of birth.

Before Labor • Initials required

We will meet with you and your partner at least once (preferably twice) before labor to become acquainted with you; explore and discuss your priorities and any fears or concerns; present evidence based information on the risks and benefits of common interventions and procedures used during childbirth; discuss your birth plans; and plan how we might work best together.

We will also inform you of times when one of us may be unavailable for labor support. To cover those times, we will arrange for a qualified back-up doula whom you may also meet.

We may also decide on other meetings, and will remain in touch by telephone or email communication.

During Labor • Initials required

We prefer you call one of us when you think you are in labor, even if you do not need us yet. This gives us time to clear our calendar for the next 24 hours and arrange for childcare. We can answer questions and make suggestions by phone, we can then decide if one of us should come to you, or wait for further change. We usually need approximately an hour to get to you from the time you ask me to come. We will also decide where to meet (home or hospital).

After your Birth • Initials required

We usually remain with you for at least an hour after the birth, until you are comfortable and your family is ready for quiet time together. We can also help with initial breastfeeding.

We will be available to answer your questions about the birth or your baby, and will schedule a follow up meeting within a few weeks of the birth to visit you and the baby, review the birth, and get feedback from you about our role.

Limitations of Services • Initials required

As a doula, We do not:

Perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks or vaginal exams. We are there to provide only physical comfort and emotional support and to facilitate communication between you and the staff.

Make decisions for you. We will help you get the information you need to make informed decisions. We will also remind you of your birth plan if there is a departure from it.

Speak to the hospital staff on your behalf. We will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, as well as encourage you to voice your opinion.

Extenuating Circumstances • Initials required

As doulas, we can help you prepare for your birth, but we cannot guarantee that your birth will go as planned. If you plan a vaginal delivery and a cesarean is performed after the onset of labor, We will continue to provide support during the cesarean surgery (as allowed by hospital and / or doctor policy) as well as immediately after to help with your comfort and breastfeeding. We will also follow up with you after the birth, as we do with all of our clients. In this scenario our full fee applies, and no refund will be given.

If you and your doctor decide that a planned cesarean is necessary (that is, a cesarean done before your due date and/or the onset of labor), we will provide support during the cesarean surgery (as allowed by the hospital and/or doctor policy) and immediately after, as well as one additional 3-hour postpartum visit to assist with breastfeeding, cleaning, laundry, baby care, etc. for our usual fee.

If you are having a home birth and need a transfer to the hospital, We will accompany you and continue to provide doula support there, if necessary. We cannot, under any circumstances attend a planned home birth without a midwife or other care provider present.

Failure to Provide Services • Initials required

We will make every effort to provide the services described here, If our failure to attend your birth is due to our error, there will be no charge for our services and we will refund the fee, minus the retainer.

If our failure to attend your birth is due to an error on your part (failing to call, for example) no refund will be given, and we will keep the full fee.

If failure to attend your birth is due to a rapid labor (baby is born within one hour after you call your doula to come to you), We will provide an additional 3 hours of postpartum support at no extra cost once you leave the place of birth. Our full fee applies.

Any other circumstances out of our control that result in our absence at your birth will be addressed on a case-by-case basis, and may or may not result in a partial or full refund.

Privacy • Initials required

We do not share any of your personal information without your consent. You may be asked if your information can be shared with a qualified back up doula so that she is familiar with your concerns and plans for your birth in the event she is needed. Any pictures taken at your birth will not be shared privately or publicly without permission from the family.

Fees • Initials required

Total $1,200.00 for the services described here. Fee includes all prenatal visits, attendance at the birth, and one follow-up visit.

To be paid as follows:

$300 as a non-refundable retainer fee, due upon signing this contract.

$900 due by the 37th week of your pregnancy.

ALL FEES ARE DUE BY 37 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY - YOUR DOULA WILL NOT ATTEND YOUR BIRTH IF YOUR BALANCE IS NOT PAID OR PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE. PLEASE LET YOUR DOULA KNOW IF YOU NEED TO SET UP A PAYMENT PLAN.

To respect you, your family, your home and your parenting style.

To provide non-medical physical, emotional and informational support after the birth of your baby.

To Support the postpartum period through comfort measures, infant care, parenting information, and provide assistance with learning to feed and care for your baby as well as sibling support. Daytime and Overnight Awake support could include: preparing simple meals and snacks, assisting with light household tasks, infant feeding support and other forms of support as appropriate and necessary.

If your doula is unable to provide ANY postpartum support at all, due to unpredictable scheduling conflicts, Mother Rising agrees to either find a replacement doula or refund the full deposit.

In the event that your doula is attending a birth, illness, emergency or severe weather, every effort will be made to reschedule services as soon as we are aware that the doula cannot keep the appointment. Payment for that day will be applied to future service if already paid.

Due to the unpredictable nature of doula work, Doulas who work overnights are permitted to sleep when the baby is asleep. Overnight awake care is available for an extra $5.00 per hour. Overnight is defined as times from 10:00pm-6:00am. Overnight shifts may start no later than 11:00pm.

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Doula does not work Saturdays (day or overnight) Sundays (day shifts) Listed Holidays- New Years Day (day shift), Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve (night shift) Christmas Day, New Years Eve (night shift)

A Doula does NOT:

Replace the care of a medical provider.

Perform major housecleaning tasks (ex: washing windows, moving furniture or yard work).

Provide transportation for mother, baby or family due to insurance restrictions.

Perform clinical tasks such as taking temperatures, medical assessments or evaluations, medication administration nor do they provide medical advice or diagnoses for mother or baby.

Make decisions for you or speak for you. They may assist you in finding information or resources or remind you of your decisions as previously discussed.

Client's obligations:

You will communicate your needs to your doula as their duties will depend on your priorities and your particular needs that day.

You agree to provide a space for the Doula to rest such as bed, couch or recliner.

You agree to not record the doula without her knowledge or have cameras in areas such as bathrooms.

You agree to give your doula at least 24 hours notice if you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment. If you do not, the deposit will be forfeit and a $35.00 cancellation fee will be applied.

In the event of illness, emergency or severe weather, you will make every effort to reschedule services as soon as you are aware that you cannot keep our appointment. Payment for that day will be applied to future service if already paid.

Services must be cancelled with 30 days notice before contract start date in order to be refunded balance less deposit.

Service Details

One free consultation to discuss your needs, desires, proposed schedule and to ensure compatibility.*

Support may include some or all of:

Physical and emotional support (listening to your birth story, your fears, frustrations, concerns etc.)

Baby care education and support (assist in bathing, feeding, comforting the baby and organizing the nursery/your home, etc.) as agreed.

Baby wearing education & assistance

Breastfeeding/ bottle/ formula feeding support

Preparing simple, nutritious meals in your home.

Maintaining simple housework (laundry, vacuuming, emptying garbage, tidying common living areas, dishes, etc.)

Watching the baby and/or older children on the premises, so Mom & Partner can rest

Referrals to other professionals as needed

Telephone, text, and email support.

Fee for Services • Initials required

We require a deposit** of 35% due upon contract signing to hold your spot on our calendar. Fee for Postpartum Doula Support is $34 per hour. There is a $5.00 per hour fee for overnight AWAKE care (no rest/sleep). Payment is due at the start of each week. We require a 4 hour minimum per visit for Day shifts with an 8 hour minimum per contract and a 6 hour minimum per overnight with an 12 hour minimum per contract.

Your deposit will be applied to your final balance unless your payment does not clear, you cancel within 24 hours of our scheduled appointment or you are not home at the day/time of our appointment and have not notified us in advance. In these cases, your deposit is forfeit.

Mother Rising Women's Studio accepts cash, check, credit & debit card and offer gift cards that can be added to a baby registries.

** The Consultation and prenatal are waived if you are a birth doula client continuing care with Mother Rising Women's Studio. We will address those same topics during our birth prenatal visits!

General Agreement & Refunds • Initials required

This agreement is meant to be fair to both parties, so that all parties may feel secure in their mutual commitment. By signing this contract, you agree to pay for services as described above. In return, the doula commits to provide these services. It is understood that the doula may have to reschedule last minute due to a birth. In which case, that visit will be credited and fulfilled as soon as possible for both parties. It is understood that neither Mother Rising Women's Studio or it's representatives are to be held responsible or liable for any undesirable or unexpected outcome resulting from postpartum support. Should a disagreement occur, the undersigned agree to resolve issues amicably therefore excluding Mother Rising Women's Studio from any penalty or fault. The signatures below indicate both doula and client understand the content and terms herein and that services are non-refundable.

As a pregnancy mentor, we provide emotional and educational/ informational, support to families during their pregnancy, labor and postpartum. We can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, help build your birthing plans and baby registries as well as make suggestions for positioning techniques for your comfort and labor progress. We are independent and self-employed, and as such are working for YOU, not your caregiver or place of birth.

A pregnancy mentor is for mothers/couples who do not wish to have a doula present at the actual birth or perhaps already have the support of a partner/mother/friend/sister etc.

Before Labor • Initials required

We will meet with you and your partner at least once (preferably twice) before labor to become acquainted with you; explore and discuss your priorities and any fears or concerns; present evidence based information on the risks and benefits of common interventions and procedures used during childbirth; discuss your birth and postpartum plans; and plan how we might work best together.

We may also decide on other meetings, and will remain in touch by telephone or email communication.

During Labor • Initials required

As a Pregnancy Mentor we do NOT attend the birth. Your mentor may answer questions and make suggestions for comfort measures by phone or text from you or your partner.

After your Birth • Initials required

We will be available to answer your questions about the birth or your baby, and will schedule a follow up meeting within a few weeks of the birth to visit you and the baby, review the birth and offer any resources you may need.

Limitations of Services • Initials required

As a doula/ Pregnancy Mentor, We do not:

Perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks or vaginal exams. We provide emotional support and can help facilitate communication between you and the staff.

Make decisions for you. We will help you get the information you need to make informed decisions. We will also remind you of your birth plan if there is a departure from it.

Speak to the hospital staff on your behalf. We will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, as well as encourage you to voice your opinion.

Privacy • Initials required

We do not share any of your personal information without your consent. You may be asked if your information can be shared with a qualified back up Mentor so that she is familiar with your concerns and plans for your birth in the event that your Mentor is unavailable the day of your birth.

Fees • Initials required

Total $600.00 for the services described here. Fee includes all prenatal visits, attendance at the birth, and one follow-up visit.

To be paid as follows:

$300 as a retainer fee, due upon signing this contract.

$300 due by the 37th week of your pregnancy.

ALL FEES ARE DUE BY 37 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY