This contract is between the Doula and the Client as detailed below:

Love In Motion LLC by Liz Foster CD(DONA), HCHD (referred to hereafter as "Doula")

720-352-3122

lizfosterdoula@gmail.com

www.loveinmotion.net

Doulas accompany birthing people in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience. Our doulas have received education for the birth doula’s role from DONA International and are certified members of the above named organization. The Doula draws on her knowledge and experience to provide emotional support, physical comfort and communication with you at your birthplace to ensure that Client has the information needed to make informed decisions regarding the baby’s birth as they arise in labor. The Doula provides reassurance and perspective to Client and their partner, makes unbiased suggestions for labor progress, and helps with relaxation, massage, positioning, and other techniques for comfort.

 

The Doula is independent and self-employed. As the Client's Doula, she is working for the Client, not the medical provider, caregiver or birthing facility. It’s important for the Client to know that the Doula cannot - and does not - guarantee a specific outcome for the birth. Her goal is to help the Client have a satisfying birth as they define it. All information the Client gives to the Doula is kept strictly confidential. It is not her place to - and she will not - judge or question the Client's choices.

Doula will meet with you and your partner twice before labor (or more if agreed upon) to become acquainted with you to: discuss priorities and any fears or concerns; clearly define the doula role; present evidence-based information on the risks and benefits of common interventions and procedures used during childbirth; prepare and review birth plans; and plan how we might best work together. Additional meetings (up to 3) before labor are desgined to become familiar with the Birth Plan (if applicable), including preferences regarding pain management. The more we explore this in advance, the better the Doula will be able to fulfill her role to support the Client. Additional fees may apply to additional meetings.

Doula will inform the Client of times when she is unavailable for labor support, like vacations. To cover those times, she will arrange for one or more backup doulas whom the Client may also meet. The Client will remain in touch by phone, text, and/or e-mail communication.

Doula will be on call for your birth six weeks (42 days) before and after your due date (36-42 weeks). If you happen to go into labor before or after this period, doula will make every effort to be there. 

Doula encourages the Client to contact her with questions, concerns and any updates. Doula is available during business hours, via text, phone, or email to discuss any pregnancy-related issues up to 38 weeks. Doula will get back to you as soon as she can - this will usually be immediately but definitely within 24 hours. After about 36-38 weeks, 24/7 availability is activated for pregnancy and labor-related communication up to 42 weeks, and the Doula will make every effort to respond within a reasonable and timely manner, usually within 5-30 minutes. If communication is in the middle of the night and the Client needs immediate assistance, a phone call is required.

The Doula asks that the Client:

• Inform the Doula of any pregnancy-related or other health conditions, as well as any special circumstances the Client may have or require.
• Keep her abreast of what happens at weekly prenatal appointments from 36 weeks forward (if cervix is dilated and/or effaced, any tests or procedures performed, baby's position, etc.)
• Let her know of anything the care provider seems concerned about. This helps the Doula stay up to date with all relevant details throughout the Client's pregnancy and provide support.
• Keep in close contact with the Doula and communicate in the best way possible by keeping the channel of communication open and consistent.
• Inform the care provider that the Client has hired a birth doula to attend the birth.

The Doula asks that the Client call or text the Doula at 720-352-3122 when they think they are in labor, EVEN IF the Client does not yet need them. This is called FIRST ALERT and gives the Doula time to clear her calendar for the next 24-48 hours. She may ask and answer questions and make suggestions, at which point the Client may decide if the Doula should come to the Client then or wait for further change or progression into labor. It is advised that the Client consult with a care provider as well to help make decisions. If the Client decides to wait, the Client must make a CALL when the Doula is desired to join the Client. If it is in the middle of the night that the Client is in labor, they may text with updates. That way, when the Client calls at the time they are ready to have the Doula come to the birthing place, the Doula will be updated with progress and the Client doesn’t have to do so while they are further along in labor. Please be aware that in the middle of the night, the Doula does NOT hear texts, but she does hear phone calls.

Calling is required by the Client or Client's partner to activate labor services and have the Doula come to the Client for labor doula support.

If the Doula does not answer her phone when the Client needs to activate labor services, please call her number twice, and then her husband, John Foster at 303-562-8798.

Options to meet the Client at home or the planned place of birth is the Client's choice. The Doula will need approximately one to two (1-2) hours to get to the Client from the time the Client asks the Doula to join them, barring any unforeseen circumstances (traffic, emergencies, inclement weather conditions, etc.). Long drive times from the Doula's location may also affect this one to two (1-2) hour approximation. Once the Client calls and lets the Doula know they would like her to begin support, she will make every effort to be there in one (1) hour. The timeframe of arrival to the place of birth is also negotiable between the Client and the Doula. For example, if it is a slow progressing labor.

Except for extraordinary circumstances, the Doula will remain with the Client throughout labor and birth. If labor extends beyond the Doula's ability to support the Client (anywhere from 10-24+ hours), she reserves the right to call in a backup doula. However, she will make every effort to remain with the Client through the entire duration of activated service until baby is born. Although she spaces her clients in order to ensure that she is available to attend every birth, the nature of birth means that there is the rare occasion in which the Doula may be at another birth when the Client goes into labor. In which case, the Doula will provide an experienced certified backup doula to attend the Client's birth in her place. The Doula reserves the right to jump into the birth to relieve the backup doula, if appropriate and approved by the Client, also called "bridgework".

The Doula will stay to provide birth support so long as she is physically and mentally able. The cap on in-person birth doula support services is 24 hours, per doula, including a backup doula, totaling 48 hours.

The following are some duties of the Doula but are not limited to this list:

·        Physical comfort measures like massage and other healing touch

·        Talk the Client through emotional blockages and remind her of her goals

·        Respect & attempt to uphold the Client's birth plan

·        Help the Client find positions that ease discomfort and ensure optimal fetal positioning

·        Establish a calming environment conductive to a peaceful and memorable birthing experience

·        Support partner with coaching to involve them up to their comfort level and offer reminders to relax and enjoy the experience

·        Hypno Methods: cues, visualizations, guided imagery and meditation, and affirmations

·        Photography, so long as it does not impede upon the medical staff’s ability to care for the Client or the Doula's ability to continue doula care

·        Provide objective viewpoints should issues arise and aid the Client and their partner in making informed decisions that are consistent with their values and wishes

·        Provide evidence-based information and decision making options using

BRAIN (Benefits, Risk, Alternatives, Intuition, Nothing)

·        Continuous reassurance and encouragement throughout the Client's pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum experience

·        Aid in communication as a mediator between the Client, their partner and their care provider

Siblings are not only welcome but encouraged as birth is a family event. If the Client chooses to have older children take part in the birth, there must be a dedicated adult or Sibling doula to help them. The Doula's role is to support the Client and their partner.

Circumstances permitting, the Doula will generally remain with the Client for one to two (1-2) hours after birth, until the Client and baby are stable and comfortable. For cesarean births, if the Doula is not allowed in the OR with the Client, the Client and the Doula will discuss whether it makes sense for the Doula to go home and return after surgery or to stay for post-op and recovery. Each situation in birth is different and duties will vary depending on the Client's needs.

 

The Doula is available for immediate postpartum to answer questions about the birth and/or baby and to help with initiating breastfeeding, if needed. If included in the Client's selected package, the Client will schedule a postpartum meeting within a few days or weeks of birth to visit the Client and baby, review the birth, offer referrals to community resources, talk over breastfeeding and baby care and get feedback from the Client about the Doula's role. This meeting is typically anytime from three to fourteen (3-14) days after the baby's birth.

As a DONA-certified birth doula, the Doula abides by the standards and scope of practice of DONA International.

 

As a doula, she does NOT:

• Perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, etc.

• Make decisions for the Client. She will help the Client get the information necessary to make an informed decision.

• Speak to clinical staff on the Client's behalf where decisions are being made. She will happily discuss concerns with the Client and suggest options, as well as encourage the Client and their partner to voice their opinions, questions and concerns to the staff. The Client will speak on their own behalf to the staff and care provider(s).

• Provide medical advice. However, the Doula can direct the Client to resources that might help them answer questions and make informed decisions on their own. If the Client has questions or wants advice about their care or that of their baby, the Doula will advise the Client to contact the care provider or nurse.

While it is always smart and helpful to have a plan, births do not always go according to plan. 

In choosing the Simple Support plan, if in-person labor and delivery support hours extend past 10 hours of support, an additional fee will be assessed for Doula's additional hours at the rate of $70/hour.

If the Client plans a vaginal delivery and a cesarean is performed after labor has already started, the Doula will continue to provide support during the cesarean surgery (as allowed by hospital and/or care provider policies), as well as immediately after to help with comfort and breastfeeding. She will also follow up with the Client after the birth. The full fee applies.

If the Client and the doctor decide that a planned cesarean is necessary (that is, a cesarean done before or after the due date and/or before the onset of labor), the Doula will provide support during the cesarean (as allowed by the hospital and/or care provider policies) and immediately after. The full fee applies.

If the Client is having a home birth and needs a transfer to the hospital, the Doula will accompany them to the hospital and continue to provide doula support there, if necessary. She cannot, under any circumstances, attend a planned home birth without a care provider present. 

In the event of a precipitous birth in a location other than the planned birth place (such as home or a vehicle) when a care provider is not present, the Doula will provide ONLY emotional and mental support as outlined above.

In the event of birth doula support falling on a major Holiday (Easter, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve/Day), Doula will charge Client $300 extra for Holiday Pay support.

 

If medical assistance is required before a care provider arrives, the Doula reserves the right to call 9-1-1 and stay on the line to medically assist until a care provider arrives.

 

The Doula will not assist the care provider in any medical procedures.

 

In the event where the physical safety of the Doula is jeopardized, this contract terminates effective immediately and the Doula reserves the right to make decisions to ensure her safety (ie: calling 9-1-1, fleeing the scene, etc).

 

The Doula reserves the right to take breaks as necessary for her own physical and mental self-care. She will typically take one hour-long break if labor support goes long (over 10 hours). If a physical impairment happens to the Doula during care of the Client, she reserves the right to seek medical attention or rest, and to replace herself with a backup doula if she cannot resume care for her Client.

 

Should the Client require to stay in-hospital for Antepartum support, the Doula will offer support via phone/text/email to provide support however possible. Any in-person visits will be on a case-by-case basis and may be chargeable to the Client's account, with communication being made to the Client about it.

The Doula will make every effort to provide the services described.

 

If the Doula's failure to attend the Client's birth is due to other circumstances such as extreme illness; she is with another birthing person who is in labor, family emergency, and a backup doula is not provided; natural disaster, inclement weather conditions, an act of God, national state of emergency, pandemic shutdown or war, hospital or birth center policies restricting doulas and the like, the Fee will be assessed, reviewed and reimbursed on a services-rendered and fee basis (ie: prenatal visits, administrative duties, communication, on-call timeframe, marketing expenses, etc). Reference to the Birth Doula Services Handout provides a breakdown of most, but not all, valued service provided.

 

Virtual support is available as an alternative if the Doula's physical presence is not possible, due to any of the above mentioned circumstances. The full fee applies.

 

If the Doula's failure to attend the Client's birth is due to an error on the Client's part, including but not limited to: failing to call Doula, texting her to come to the Client in the middle of the night and the Doula is not responsive, or deciding against having a doula present at the birth after 36 weeks, full payment for services is required pursuant to this contract. The full fee applies.

If the Doula's failure to attend the Client's birth is due to a rapid labor; baby is born less than two (2) hours after the Client calls and asks Doula to come for labor support; if Doula arrives just after, within an hour of the two (2) hour window and the baby has already been born; Doula will stay for immediate postpartum support. Doula will also offer one (1) additional four (4) hour postpartum doula visits at no extra cost within four (4) weeks of the time the Client is discharged from the hospital or birth center. This can include assistance with breastfeeding, laundry, cleaning, baby care, cooking, etc. The full fee applies and/or can be assessed, reviewed and possibly reimbursed on a services-rendered basis.

 

If the Client decides against having the Doula up to and including 36 weeks, the Client will not be required to pay the Remaining Amount. However, the Retainer Fee can be assessed, reviewed and reimbursed on a services-rendered and fee basis (ie: prenatal visits, administrative duties, communication, on-call timeframe, marketing expenses, etc). Reference to the Birth Doula Services Handout provides a breakdown of most, but not all, valued service provided.

 

After 36 weeks, if for any reason the Client decides to have a cesarean section and that they do not want a doula to attend the birth, the Client will be required to make full payment for services pursuant to this contract. Please note that under these circumstances, the Doula can still provide exemplary support through a cesarean section birth, before, during and after. The full fee applies.

 

If the birthing place deems it necessary for the Client to be quarantined for labor and delivery, and the Doula cannot be physically present, the option to offer virtual support is available, or the Fee can be assessed, reviewed and reimbursed upon a services-rendered and fee basis. 

 

If, during labor, the Client, their partner or a support person tries calling the Doula, is unable to get in touch with her within two (2) hours from the Client's first call, there is no contact whatsoever, and the Client's baby is born without the Doula or a Backup doula attending the birth, she will refund the full amount of services. The Retainer Fee and the Remaining Amount will be refunded. This is a Doula's clear failure to provide services at the time of activation of services.

 

Any other circumstances out of the Doula's control that result in her absence at the Client's birth or any party's voluntary termination of this contract will be addressed on a case-by-case basis and may or may not result in a refund of the Retainer Fee and/or waiver of the Remaining Amount. In some instances, a prorated fee may be assessed to determine services rendered before and after an unattended birth. Any and all communication about extenuating circumstances is to be intended as strictly professional and amicable amongst the Doula and the Client.

In the event that the Doula cannot attend the Client's birth, a backup doula may attend. The Doula reserves the right to choose the backup doula, but she is open to a backup doula of the Client's choosing. The Doula will make her best attempt to choose a backup that has similar training as herself and is a good “fit” for the Client's special circumstances and desires for the birth process.

The Client is able to meet, speak with, or otherwise communicate with the backup doula if they so desire. The Client may do so on their own at a time that is mutually agreeable for them and the backup doula. The primary Doula may facilitate a meeting between the Client, the backup and the primary Doula, usually at the second prenatal meeting, at the Client's request.

The signing of this contract gives the Doula leave to take notes about the Client and their birth, including personal information about them and their child(ren) for professional and educational purposes.

Signing this contract gives the Doula permission to discuss the Client's pregnancy and birth with other birth professionals in both formal and informal settings. She will never use the Client's name, their child(ren)’s name, the date the Client gave birth or any other identifying information.

Each party will take responsible precautions to protect the confidentiality of the other party's confidential information. Love In Motion LLC will not sell the Client's information to third-parties.

The Doula strictly adheres to the confidentiality policy regarding the Client's personal details as stated above. She does enjoy sharing minor details and photos through her business materials including, but not limited to social media, website, and brochures. In this sharing, none of it will be done without the Client's consent before publishing.

Select an option below giving or not giving permission to share for these marketing purposes.

The Doula will never share personal information such as the Client's name, child’s name, the date you gave birth, address, email, phone number, or any other identifying information.

The Doula may take photographs at birth to document the Client's birth experience as well as to use for marketing purposes. Photographs containing nipples or genitalia will never be published. Client may choose which photos to share with the Doula and she may share them with their permission, if they choose, as stated above.

Photography is not to replace the purpose of the Doula's birth services and those services come first. Doula will do her best to take as many photos as possible but she cannot guarantee any number of photos or that she will get every moment on camera. For the safety of the Client and baby(ies), Doula will not jeopardize her position in the laboring room to capture the perfect photo.

Total fee for the services described above to be paid as follows:

 

Retainer fee: 50% of the full fee as a non-refundable deposit, required in order to reserve the Client's estimated due date on the Doula's calendar. This amount is due upon return of this contract signed by the Client. 

Remaining Balance: Due by the 36th week of the Client's pregnancy. If remaining balance is not paid within the 36-week mark (7 days within the 36th and 37th week date), a late fee of $25 per day will be charged to the Client's account.  If remaining balance is not paid within 10 days of the 36-week mark, an invoice will be sent to the Client requesting for payment in full, effective immediately, and is subject to collections admission, if prior arrangements have not been made.

Please discuss payment arrangement with the Doula upon signing of this contract.

Payment options are: 

• Cash
• Check
• Zelle®
• Venmo
• Square (credit card)

If alternative means of payment, such as barter, sliding scale, discounted rates or a payment plan are agreed upon, they must be notated in writing by the Client and the Doula prior to the signing of this contract. Sliding scales, discounted rates, or payment plans are addressed on a case-by-case basis. Regarding any of the Doula’s failure to provide service under these terms of payment, they may or may not result in a refund of the Retainer Fee and/or waiver of the Remaining Amount. Such agreements must be documented in this contract.

To learn more about service upgrades, go HERE for more information. You may also contact Liz about these options as well before you proceed. These may be added at later time as well.

In entering a contract for Doula (Labor Support) Services with Love In Motion LLC, I, the Client, hereby acknowledge that during the performance period of this contract, services may be provided to me in my home, traveling to a medical facility, and/or hospital. I understand that Love In Motion LLC has a limited role pursuant to the description of tasks outlined in the above-referenced contract wherever services are provided to me/us. 

Love In Motion LLC has not represented to me that contracting for services guarantees in any way a risk-free or emergency-free labor and birth experience. I understand that the Doula does not make medical decisions on my behalf, to include the decision when to seek medical care at a hospital when labor support services are provided in my home. When services are performed in a medical facility, I acknowledge that Love In Motion LLC is not responsible for the performance of clinical tasks to include medical decisions regarding the inclusion or exclusion of treatments available to me and my baby(ies).

Now, therefore, in consideration of the above acknowledgements, I (both jointly and separately) on behalf of myself, ourselves, my heirs, administrators, personal representatives, executors, and assigns to RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE Love In Motion LLC from all damages or causes of actions, either at law or in equity, which I may have or acquire or which may accrue to me, my heirs, administrators, personal representatives, executors or assigns as a result of using the doula services of Love In Motion LLC. I intend this to be a COMPLETE RELEASE AND DISCHARGE them from all liability whatsoever.

I, the Client, have read all statements contained herein and I fully realize that I am signing a COMPLETE RELEASE AND BAR to any claims which I have or believe I have resulting from our contract for doula services.

If Doula and Client have previously agreed upon any changes or addendums to this contract, including but not limited to additional services or changes to the services outlined above, the terms of the agreement are below:

Birth Doula: Liz Foster 720-352-3122, lizfosterdoula@gmail.com

If the Doula does not answer her phone TWICE when the Client requests activation of services, call her husband, John Foster 303-562-8798