Terms
Birth Support Agreement
What services can I provide for you?
As a doula, I am able to accompany you and your birth partner through the process of preparing for birth and support you during labour, birth and bonding in line with the package you have chosen. I am not a midwife and do not give medical advice nor do I undertake examinations or perform any other clinical task. I cannot make decisions for you. I can only act as a spokesperson for you (if this has been clearly stated in your birth plan). I am independent and self-employed. I am working for you, not for your caregiver or hospital.
My role is to be led by you, providing the support that you may need along the way. The kind of support I give is often emotional, practical and informational and will be offered unconditionally and without judgement. Our conversations and all correspondence I keep strictly confidential.
I draw on my knowledge and experience to provide you with support. If the need arises I can help you communicate with your midwife and medical care givers to ensure that you have all the information you need to make informed decisions. I can provide a friendly face for you and your birth partner and make suggestions for planning and preparing your birth and bonding environment.
With the packages Virtual, Silver, Gold & Platinum during labour I am able to make suggestions for labour to progress. I can help with relaxation, positioning and other comfort measures. I can help safeguard your bonding period. I do not come between you and your partner but rather support both of you. During labour my aim is to 'hold your space' so unless you request my physical support, my role is to 'be', not necessarily 'do'.
Full details of each package are available on the Doula Doula services page.
How can I support you during birth?
It is vital that you remain in contact with me around the ‘on call’ period of 4 weeks around your estimated due date (5 weeks for twins and multiples). I need at the very least a brief check in twice daily via text message or WhatsApp even if it’s to say I am fine. Checking in allows me to plan my working day and ensure availability for all my doula clients.
It's useful if you or your birth partner could call me immediately (at any hour of the day or night!) when you believe that you may go into or are in labour. I need to know about bowel movements, shows and how you feel physically and emotionally. I also need to know about any sensations you may be feeling.
With the packages Silver, Gold & Platinum: After discussing the situation over the phone you will decide together on the best course of action and whether you would like me to come immediately or hang back. Please keep in mind the distance in regard to your location and mine to arrive at your chosen place of birth.
Except for circumstances out of my realm of influence, such as the baby coming in a hurry or an emergency situation has occurred I will remain with you throughout labour, birth and bonding. If you transfer from home to hospital or within the hospital, I will do my very best to stay with you.
I will do my best to safeguard those precious first minutes of physiological bonding after birth and can later support you with (breast) feeding if you would like some help.
My agreement with you
I will make every effort to provide the services described in the packages. It may be that external circumstances may limit my availability (for example rapid labour). I personally feel a strong sense of commitment to provide you with consistency and will do everything in my power to ensure I am there for you.
With the packages Silver, Gold & Platinum: The only time I would not come would be if I were to be unwell and my being unwell would pose a risk to you, your family and unborn baby. If failure to attend your birth is due to my misjudgement or unavailability, a partial refund will be given.
If it is due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control (e.g. you call me too late, or you choose to keep vital information from me) the full fee applies.
My support extends to unforeseen emergency or elective C-Section. This means I will stay with you, in theatre if possible, and continue to provide emotional and practical support during the birth and immediately postpartum. If you and your partner choose an elective section before 38 weeks, late on in your pregnancy I may have a client booked for this period who will be priority. I will however endeavor to get to you if I can. If you go into premature labour before 38 weeks I will also do my very best to get to you. if you decide you no longer require my services less than 2 weeks before your due date. This is because I may already have gone on call for you and/or worked with you for some weeks/months. If your cancellation is due to factors beyond your control, or due to some negligence on my part, we will reach an appropriate agreement.
Advocacy working with NHS clinicians
I can advocate for you with NHS clinicians. Sometimes these can be difficult conversations. Professionals may find it challenging if I were to inquire about topics within their area of expertise, given that they will perceive I have limited knowledge. Often I have more real world experience of multiple births than the NHS practitioners present.
By anticipating this, we can better handle such situations. However this relies on mutual trust between us.
I will always be acting in the best interest of you, your pregnancy, and baby/babies and my input is always with your permission. Consent is not linear and as such advocacy will be provided on a case by case basis.
Working with other Doulas professionals
I always suggest that, depending on distance, you may benefit from a second or back up doula. If you would like help to explore this, once you have signed up, we can meet for an initial informal chat and then I will get to work to find a second doula. Some may be available at no additional cost or at extra an cost.
I will then send you information about possible doulas, additional fees if any (payable by you to them) for you to shortlist. I will then arrange a time for us to meet over Zoom. This is usually done within one Zoom that takes no more than just over an hour in total. You can then decide on the additional doula or remain with only me in support.
In the case of twins and multiples I will only work with another doula who is happy to be led by me in providing all birth prep and information.
My doula Kit
My kit is complete with lights of all colours and battery operated candles for hospital birth environments. I carry essential oils and a projector that projects lights and wave effects. I will deliver these to your home two weeks before birth and help you set up your birth area and if within a hospital I will arrive with these.
Photography
I trained as a photographer and make up artist at London College of Fashion and am happy to take photographs at the birth at no additional cost. I prefer to take these on a phone as they are silent. I can take pictures. This can be my own phone, your phone or your camera.
Insurance
I have indemnity insurance with Morton Michaels.