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 women in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience. The Doula and any backup doulas have received education for the birth Doula’s role and are certified members of the above named organization or the like (ie: DONA Int'l, CAPPA, etc). The Doula draws on her knowledge and experience to provide emotional support, physical comfort and communication with Client at the birthplace to ensure that Client has the information needed to make informed decisions regarding baby’s birth as they arise in labor. She provides reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make unbiased suggestions for labor progress, and help 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 Client's caregiver or birthing facility. The Doula cannot - and does not - guarantee a specific outcome for the Client's birth. Her goal is to help Client have a satisfying birth as the Client defines it. All information the Client gives to her she keeps strictly confidential. It is not her place to - and she will not - judge or question the Client's choices.

The Doula will meet with the Client and her partner before labor to become acquainted and to: discuss the Client's 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 the Client's birth plans; and plan how the Client and Doula might best work together. Additional meetings (up to 4) before labor are desgined to become familiar with the Birth Plan (if applicable) or birth desires, including preferences regarding pain management. The more the Client explores this in advance, the better the Doula will be able to fulfill her role to support the Client. Additional fees may apply if more than 2 meetings are requested.

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

The Doula will be on call for birth two weeks (14 days) before and after the indicated estimated due date (38-42 weeks). If the Client happens to go into labor before or after this period, the Doula will make every effort to attend and support the birth.

The Doula encourages the Client to contact her with questions, concerns and any updates. She is available to the Client, during business hours, via text, phone, or email to discuss any pregnancy-related issues up to 38 weeks. The Doula will get back to the Client as soon as she can - this will usually be immediately but definitely within 24 hours. After 38 weeks, 24/7 availability is activated for pregnancy and labor-related communication up to 42 weeks, and will make every effort to respond within a reasonable and timely manner, usually within 5-60 minutes. If the Client needs immediate assistance or communication in the middle of the night, a phone call is required to activate labor services or virtual doula labor support.

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.
• Keep in close contact with the Doula and communicate in the best way possible by keeping the channel of communication open and consistant.
• Inform her care provider that she 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 she thinks she is in labor, EVEN IF she does not yet need her. This gives the Doula time to clear her calendar for the next 24 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, she is more than free to text with updates. That way, when the Client calls at the time she is ready to have the Doula come to her, the Doula will be updated with progress and the Client doesn’t have to do so while she is further along in labor. Please be aware that in the middle of the night, the Doula does NOT hear texts, but 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 her, 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 she 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 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 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 him or her 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 her 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, her partner and her 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 her 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 her partner to voice their opinions, questions and concerns to the staff. The Client will speak on her own behalf to the staff and care provider(s).

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

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

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 her 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 her 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, 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 will make every effort to provide the services described.

 

If the Doula's failure to attend the Client's birth is due to her error or other circumstances such as extreme illness, she is with another mother 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, there will be no charge for her remaining services and she will refund the Remaining Amount, minus the Retainer Fee.

 

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.

 

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 will be assessed on a services rendered basis (ie: prenatals, administrative duties, communication).

 

After 36 weeks, if for any reason the Client decides to have a cesarean section and that she does 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. The full fee applies.

 

If, during labor, the Client, her 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 your 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.

 

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.

In the event that the Doula cannot attend the Client's birth, a backup doula may attend. She 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 she so desires. The Client may do so on her own at a time that is mutually agreeable for her 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 her birth, including personal information about herself and her 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, her child’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.

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

She 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. Any and all photography will be taken with Client's phone or camera during your labor and birth. 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 your permission, if you 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 mother and baby, 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 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: Payable to Love In Motion LLC, Mailed to: Liz Foster, 7062 Palisade Drive, Highlands Ranch, CO 80130
• Venmo (@LizFosterDoula)
• PayPal ( lizfosterdoula@gmail.com )

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.

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.

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