Before Birth:
Your doula will typically meet with you and your partner twice, before labor to become acquainted, to explore and discuss your priorities and any fears or concerns, and to plan how we might best work together.

In Labor:
Call your doula when you think you are in labor, even if you do not yet need her. She can answer questions, and make suggestions over the phone. Your doula will usually need approximately one hour to get to you from the time you ask her to come. Except for extraordinary circumstances, your doula (or her back-up) will remain with you throughout your labor and birth. Our birth services include physical comfort and emotional support for you and your family, information about risks and benefits of choices and procedures during labor and birth, photography, and a log of events to help you write a birth story.

After birth:
Your doula will usually remain with you for one to two hours after birth, until you are comfortable and your family is ready for quiet time together. She also will assist with initial breastfeeding.

Your doula is available for phone contact to answer questions about the birth of your baby and would like to get together with you within one to two weeks to see how you are doing, review the birth, admire your baby, and get feedback from you about her role. Typically, we will also request that you complete a one-page feedback form for continuing doula certification.

We are available for breastfeeding support if needed.

Doulas do not:

• Perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, and others. We are there to provide only physical comfort, emotional support, and information or advocacy.
• Make decisions for you. We will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision. We will also remind you if there is a departure from your Birth Plan.
• Speak to the staff instead of you regarding matters where decisions are being made. We will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you or your partner will speak on your behalf to the clinical staff.

Fee:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         The price of our services described above is $600.00.

Failure of a doula to provide services                                                                                                                                                                                                                       We make every effort to provide the services described here. Sometimes this is impossible (for example, with a very rapid labor). If the failure to attend your birth is due to the doula's error, there will be no charge for the services and we will refund the retaining fee. If it is due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control or your failure to call the doula, we will keep the retaining fee but there will be no further charges.