Letter of Agreement Postpartum Doula Service
(effective June 2023)
Services Provided
Your doula, Melinda Ferguson, agrees to abide the DONA International Scope of Practice and Code of Ethics.
Package Options:
Solid Start, 10, 4 hour shifts (40 hours total) over one month (3x/wk for two weeks, then 2x/wk for two weeks): Your doula will provide support throughout your early postpartum time, to include non-judgmental, listening and emotional support to process the birth and challenges of early parenthood, lactation and newborn care/ development education and support, care for your newborn so you may rest, shower, etc., meal preparation and light household tasks, perinatal mood and anxiety disorder assessment and resources referrals.
A la Carte: Choose shifts and times that work best for you, between the hours of 1pm-9pm. Care is provided as outlined in the Solid Start Package. You can choose from one shift to many. Shifts can be added or deleted with 48 hours notice and as the doulas’ schedule allows.
Limits of Service:
Your doula does NOT diagnose or treat medical conditions in the parent or the baby, but will refer you to your health care provider when appropriate. She will NOT take over the care of the baby, but will assist you in learning to care for the baby’s needs. She will NOT drive the client or baby. Your doula cannot attend a client’s home at any time that a resident of the home is ill, as contracting a communicable illness would put other clients and their immunocompromised infants at significant risk. You agree to inform your doula of any illnesses of any residents of your home prior to any and all scheduled visits, so that you and your doula may postpone the visit until the illness(es) have passed.
Melinda is also working as a Birth Doula and Birth Assistant, and may, at times, be called to provide labor support during a previously scheduled postpartum shift with you. In this circumstance, no back up postpartum doula is guaranteed to be available and your postpartum support will be rescheduled as soon as possible.
Fees
The hourly rate is $60/hr.
This agreement reserves service time for the client. Retainer money will be applied towards charges beginning on the first day of service. Retainer fee is non-refundable and must be used within 6 months the baby’s birth. Shifts cancelled within 24 hours of scheduled time will be charged at 50%. An invoice will be sent, by email or delivered in person, every two weeks and is due upon receipt.
Unforeseen Circumstances and Acts of Nature
As your doula I am committed to providing the support which you have retained me for, and which clients expect from me. I am able to accomplish this by adequately managing my client load and schedule to avoid conflicts. However, I cannot control acts of nature, such as weather, declared states of emergency, war, and other unforeseen circumstances. In such an event, it may not always be possible for me to meet the requirements of this Agreement, and I will work with you to reschedule shifts or otherwise come to a mutually agreed arrangement regarding the unused retainer. Additionally, I cannot guarantee my availability when the client changes the agreed upon schedule as I will be scheduling other activities around the anticipated schedule. I will make every effort to meet such requests however.