I'm going to doula . . . EEP!

[Mamabeakley]

Hi, friends -

I have been teaching my first childbirth class, and now one of the couples has asked me to be their doula. I'm excited . . . but also a bit alarmed.

I am registered for a doula training, but will not attend it before this birth.

I am confident that I will do fine at the birth. I'm a bit concerned about some logistical details that need to get taken care of before then, though!

a) does anyone have or can anyone point me to a kind of "standard" contract"?

b) I obviously need to find another doula to act as my backup in case for any reason I cannot make the birth - I don't know of any reason I couldn't but I do have 2 children and kids can get sick, etc. (Childcare I'm not particularly worried about - I have good family support in the area.) How do I do that? I know people in the birth community around here, but noone I'm sure takes on private doula clients. Also, I'm not going to charge the full going rate since I am not certified, so how do you handle paying a backup if she normally charges more than you do?

TIA!

[mamallama]

Certification is great and all, but it doesn't make a better doula. The time and effort you put into labor support will not change with certification. You might learn a new trick or two at your training, but the qualities that make a good doula are all ready within you. I would consider charging a full rate--at least the low end of your local range.

I have worked the back up situation two ways--either the family pays the difference, or the back up doula agrees to accept the lower rate. Work it out with the other doula first, then take it to the family.

Writing your own contract is easy. Don't worry overmuch about an airtight contract, as nothing you write without a lawyer's help will be legally binding anyway. The point of the contract is to ensure clear communication.

Start with a short paragraph about your philosophy. Talk about how you support their decisions. Mention that your support is continuous and unconditional.

Specify when you go on call (ie--38wks) and how long you remain on call (until the birth.) This lets the family know that your call time is part of the price. Specify the number of prenatal and postpartum visits, and the time frame for each. Include that you are always available by telephone or email. This is another reminder that they're paying for your time.

Specify the amount and when it's due. For example, $50 due as a retainer when they hire you, and the balance paid by 38wks. If the back up requires additional compensation, include that as a clause.

In my contract I state that I don't charge extra for false alarms or lengthy labors, nor do I give a discount for a rapid labor or a cesarean birth.

I also include my refund policy. Basically, if I miss a birth and it's my fault, I give a full refund.

If it's an unavoidable reason (she has the baby at Starbucks,) I keep the retainer for my call time and refund the balance.

If they don't call me, I don't give a refund.

Keep it to one page or less.

Take 2 copies (one for you and one for them,) everyone signs and dates both, and you're done.

My first birth as a doula was an awesome experience. I hope yours is equally wonderful!

[Aquafina]

You will do Great............... Congrats

[Mamabeakley]

Originally Posted by mamallama

You might learn a new trick or two at your training, but the qualities that make a good doula are all ready within you. I would consider charging a full rate--at least the low end of your local range.

Yeah. That's what I think, and what I mean by saying I'm sure I'll be fine at the birth. I've got a life-long fascination with birth, I've been at 5 births including my own, my brothers, and a few as an adult, given birth myself twice, all natural and healthy, and I believe in birth. I've got good skills at dealing with people I disagree with without giving offense (this should be helpful in a medical situation!) and I already have a relationship with this couple since I've taught their class and have known them through another context as well.

I am going to charge a little more than half the "going rate" which is still WAY more than the "going rate" a lot of other places - I feel like that's a fair deal since they will be getting a service and I will be learning from the experience. And it's enough for me to feel like I'm being compensated fairly for my time.

[courtenay_e]

Labor Support Services Agreement

I (Courtenay_e) am self employed. I work independently of your primary care provider as well as independently of the hospital or birth center that you (undersigned) may have chosen.

I provide two prenatal visits. Using emotional and physical means, I provide labor and birth support until there has been a successful breastfeeding session. I provide one postnatal visit.

I am never a primary care provider. I do not give medical advice or care. I provide emotional support, physical support, and education through well documented books, peer reviewed articles, and studies. I am neither educated to nor am I certified to catch babies. I encourage you to stay at home as long as you are comfortable, but ask you to understand that, should you choose at the last minute to have an unattended home birth, I will not attend you, and will keep the full amount paid to me.

I will not attend any labor/birth that is induced or augmented using Cytotek (generic name Mysoprostal). If, after signing this contract, you decide to allow induction/augmentation of labor using this drug, I will not attend, and you will not be due a refund of any amount paid.

I am on call for you from two weeks before until two weeks after your EDD. I carry a cell phone 24 hours a day while I am on call for you. If you go into labor before or after this period, I will do my utmost to attend your labor/birth, but can not promise that I will make it. In the event that I am unable to attend you due to no fault of my own, I will keep the full amount paid, and provide post partum services.

You agree to give me as much notice as possible that you are in labor, as I have young children, and need some time to set up child care. When you call to tell me that you can no longer go about daily life because of your contractions, I will do my utmost to attend you within an hour.

The fee you, the undersigned, agree to pay for abovementioned services is $XXX. This is payable in cash, by check, or by Paypal (although additional charges then apply). Half is due at the signing of your contract, and the balance is due in full by 38 weeks gestation.

In the event that you contact me in a timely manner when you are in labor, and through fault of my own, I do not make your birth, I will refund half of the amount paid (unless a backup doula has been arranged and attends you).

If you fail to contact me in a timely manner when you are in labor, for whatever reason, or have an unplanned cesarean section without notifying me, you will not be refunded any amount.

In the case of precipitous labor/birth or a maternal/fetal medical emergency, it may be impossible (depending upon circumstances and/or hospital protocol) for me to provide all of the contracted services. However, you will have received prenatal services, and are still eligible for postnatal services. Therefore, as this would be through no fault of my own, and I have fulfilled my oncall duties, you would not be due a refund of any amount paid.

If you decide not to employ me as your Labor Assistant (Doula) after signing this contract, I will refund half of the total amount of $XXX, as I will have possibly turned away other clients during the period of our contract. If you have only paid half of the total amount, you are released from further payment.

_________________________________ ____________________________________
Courtenay_e dateClient date

__________________________________
Spouse/partner/family member date

[courtenay_e]

Above you'll find my contract. My husband also feels much much more comfortable with my asking them to sign a kind of "hold harmless" agreement, stating that I do not have liability coverage and that, in the event of injury or death to/of mother and/or baby, the family will not hold me responsible for it. Apparently it does not hold water in court, but is a kind of a banner to a lawyer, telling them that I'm not a really deep pool of money, and probably not worth their billable hours.

You'll do great, which you already know.

HAVE FUN!

As far as backup...consider asking the doula (if you share philosophies) to just TRADE backup for free. You'll back her up for some birth for each birth she backs you up on. That's what my partner and I do, and it seems to work well...though I'm busier than my partner lately (as she had to get a day job), so I am kind of feeling like, if she had to actually attend a birth of mine any time in the near future, I'd pay her for the birth. *shrug* BUT that arrangement has worked well for us for the last two years.

[courtenay_e]

Oh, the part about UC's is also a "thing" with my husband. He just feels that, if we don't have LI and I am not yet a midwife, I shouldn't be even a tiny bit perceived to be somebody who thinks they are qualified to catch.

The cytotek thing is my own "thing"...I had cytotek used on me. It was pretty much the most horrific experience of my life. THEN later I read about all the nasty stuff it can do. And I BELIEVE it...because that was NOTHING LIKE labor. Nothing like it--and I've had two since. So, I will not put MYSELF into a situation where I might be sued for M&M of mother or baby because of nasty, nasty stuff that I know is off lable. Can't do that.

[Mamabeakley]

Thanks Courtney! That's all very helpful information.

And thanks for the votes of support, everybody!

[pookahjade]

Originally Posted by mamallama

Writing your own contract is easy. Don't worry overmuch about an airtight contract, as nothing you write without a lawyer's help will be legally binding anyway. The point of the contract is to ensure clear communication.

Just wanted to point out that this may vary from state to state. I know here in Washington state anything in writing (typed, hand written or combination) and signed by both parties (over the age of 18) is legally binding with or without a lawyers input.

Sarah

[patronia]

Good luck! I'm sure you'll do great, I'd love to do doula training but I'm not sure if it's even possible where I live.

[momileigh]

Originally Posted by courtenay_e

The cytotek thing is my own "thing"...I had cytotek used on me. It was pretty much the most horrific experience of my life. THEN later I read about all the nasty stuff it can do. And I BELIEVE it...because that was NOTHING LIKE labor. Nothing like it--and I've had two since. So, I will not put MYSELF into a situation where I might be sued for M&M of mother or baby because of nasty, nasty stuff that I know is off lable. Can't do that.

A lot of people would say the same thing about pitocin induction/augmentation.

And you know you're assuming that you would have any idea that they were using cytotec. Or that the mom would have any idea herself.

Although I admire that you must put effort into educating women about cytotec, this doula contract does bother me. Seems like an easy slippery slope. What's next? "I as your doula will walk out on you if you do not adamantly refuse an episiotomy"?

[happydoulamama]

Although I admire that you must put effort into educating women about cytotec, this doula contract does bother me. Seems like an easy slippery slope. What's next? "I as your doula will walk out on you if you do not adamantly refuse an episiotomy"?

I agree. My job is to educate my clients about the risks of the interventions, not threaten. I don't want them in a situation where they have to choose between an intervention and me. I want doula love to be unconditional.

Hopefully if we have done our jobs right they will pick the right path. Kind of like teaching our children.

[anitaj71]

The only time I would refund money would be if I couldn't make it and it was my fault. If the birth is quick and just couldn't be there in time . . . no refund.