Introduction:

I am so excited to welcome you as my client! Please read this document carefully before you sign/accept it as outlines the terms and boundaries of our relationship and your support so that we may both benefit from my work. By signing/accepting this agreement, you are accepting the terms and boundaries outlined. It is important that you make an informed decision about whether my services are right for you and contact me before you proceed if you have any questions or concerns

As your doula, it is my main goal to support you and your family as you walk through and navigate your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. As my client, you are my top priority and I seek to always support you in a manner that benefits you and your journey.

It is my role to offer you emotional and physical support throughout the duration of your support, as well as tailored resources and care that benefits you, however, I am not to be seen as a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice of any sort. I will instead help you navigate and sift through evidence, resources, advice and your intuition to help you make informed decisions.

Services & Support:

Prenatal Support:
Throughout your pregnancy, I will offer tailored prenatal sessions, these sessions will be centered around helping you prepare for your birth and postpartum experience in a way that is tailored to you These sessions may include but are not limited to debriefing your previous birth experience, unpacking fears and worries around birth, discussing your birth preferences, birth education, resources, birth mapping, and helping you build confidence in your ability to birth.

Virtual Support:
Throughout your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum I will be available for unlimited virtual support to ensure you feel supported no matter what arises. Unless it is an emergency please allow up to 24 hours for a response, as I may be attending another birth or caring for a postpartum client.

Postpartum Support:
If postpartum support is included in your package your support will be tailored to you and what you need postpartum. These sessions will be arranged after the birth of your baby and will be based on what you need on the day of the visit within the realms of birth debriefing, providing a meal or snack at each visit, light decluttering around the home, use of aromatherapy, self-care practices such as belly binding, foot soaks, emotional support, guidance, and reassurance.

If additional support outside my scope such as in-depth lactation consulting, other medical advice, or mental health conditions I will offer resources and referrals to other practitioners that can best support you.

On Call:
I will be available and on-call for your birth 24/7 from 38 weeks until the birth of your baby. I will also have a backup doula organized in case of the rare occasion I can’t make the birth. Please note this has not happened before but in case of emergency, health issues/concerns, or other birth attendance I like to ensure my clients have backup support. This will be at no additional cost to you and something we will discuss further if needed.

This does not necessarily mean I won’t support your birth if it occurs before 38 weeks, but instead starting at 38 weeks I will be within a 2-hour distance from your place of birth at all times.

Labour & Birth:
When choosing me as your doula you are agreeing to contact me when labour begins or if anything changes or progresses in relation to your labour and birth, including if/when you schedule an induction or planned caesarean.

In the case of a long labour, I will support you in person for a maximum of 12 continuous hours in-person and need to take a short break to serve you best, plus have the opportunity to feed and connect with my child whom I am currently breastfeeding.

In the birth space my biggest priority is being present to solely support you throughout labour, this will be tailored to what you need on the day and in the moment and will reflect the conversations and preparation we have done in the lead up to birth. Whilst I cannot offer medical advice, I can help you feel informed and supported while you navigate your birth experience and advocate if and when needed if that is something we have discussed and agreed upon.

After your baby has been born I may remain present for up to 4 hours postpartum, the amount of time I am present for post birth may depend on your birth experience, current needs and environment etc.

Change of Birth Plans:
If you opt for or need a caesarean birth my support is still available to you in whichever capacity you may need before, during, and within 24 hours immediately after birth.

If you fail or choose not to update, call, or have me present throughout your labour, birth and/or postpartum a refund will not be offered.


Additional Services:
Additional prenatal and postpartum services are available. Ideally, additional services will be organised in advance, however, I will do my best to accommodate any additional services needed as I understand the importance of your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

Additional prenatal and postpartum sessions will come at an additional cost of $250 each.

Boundaries & Timeframes:

Virtual Support & Communications:
For all nonemergent communications, I will respond within 12-24 hours between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm, this includes emails, text messages, DM’s, and phone calls.

Postpartum Visits:
For postpartum visits, I will require a minimum of 24 hours before the visit. This allows me an adequate amount of time to prepare for your visit so I can support, nourish, and nurture you to the best of my ability. If you require a last-minute postpartum visit (within 24 hours) for emotional and physical support, this may be available but may not include food or other elements of my postpartum support.

Fees & Billing

Payment Plans:
If you choose to pay via a payment plan you will receive an invoice for our discussed deposit to secure my doula support. The remaining cost must be paid promptly on the dates we have discussed and agreed upon. Failure to make these payments without discussion or contact may result in losing my support.

Upfront Payments:
If you choose to pay via the upfront method you will receive an invoice for the total price we have discussed and agreed upon for your support. This payment must be paid promptly and in full to secure my doula support. Failure to make this payment without discussion or contact may result in losing my support.

Invoicing:
My invoicing is done via a program called Hnry and will be sent to your inbox via this program. Payment options include card and bank deposit; please choose the one that best suits you.

Cancellations, Rescheduling & Terminations Terms:

Prenatal Sessions
You may cancel or reschedule our scheduled prenatal session with 24 hours notice.

If I am called to attend another birth, and unable to attend our scheduled prenatal session please know that attending in-person births is my highest priority. I will inform you as soon as possible to reschedule our session to the next available date suitable for us both. If I have been attending a birth, I will require 24 hours between the birth and our prenatal session to ensure I can assist you to the best of my ability.

Birth
In the event of an emergency, I may not be able to attend your birth or may be delayed in supporting your birth. Examples would be: I am attending another birth, I have just left an extended birth, power outages, road blockages, flash flooding, or family emergencies. In these cases, I offer a backup doula at no additional cost if that is your preference.

In the case that you (or your partner/birth support) fail to call me during your labou or ask me to attend, there will be no refund.

If your birth is missed for whatever reason (e.g. the event of an emergency from either parties, failure to communicate) one additional postpartum visit will be added to your postpartum support and care.

Loss of life
In the event that there is a loss of life during your pregnancy, the contract can be adjusted so you can and will still benefit from my support or be terminated. My postpartum support would still be available in any loss after you've booked me.

Termination of support & contract
If at any point you choose to cancel your doula support you will not be refunded, but will not owe any remaining amounts.

I, Courtney, reserve the right to terminate this agreement if I believe the client is not a good fit for me, if I feel unsafe in any situation, or if circumstances beyond my control prevent me from providing my services effectively.

Limitations & Liabilities:

I am, under no circumstances, to be seen as a medical professional. No advice I give should be taken as medical advice. I will not perform any clinical assessments or medical procedures (including but not limited to vaginal exams, fetal heart tones, and blood pressure checks).

Whilst a doula can help reduce medical intervention, lower caesarean rates, help minimise birth trauma and offer emotional and physical support they can not guarantee any certain outcomes.

I cannot guarantee you as a client until our agreed payment is made and the contract is signed. Before signing this contract, I shall disclose any potential scheduling difficulties I may anticipate which may interfere with your service.

I agree to hire Courtney Hellyer, Journey to Postpartum for Doula Support under the contract’s terms.