Terms & Conditions - Two Seasons Doula Birth Support

1. Scope of Practice

A doula is a non medical professional, invited by the birthing family to provide emotional, mental, physical, spiritual and informational support. It is important to understand that I do not perform any medical or clinical procedures, such as monitoring blood pressure or physical examinations including vaginal examinations, fetal movements, and heart monitoring.

• I do not diagnose or give medical advice or prescribe medications.

• I cannot make decisions for you (or speak for you); however, I can provide you with information and resources so that you can make an informed decision that feels right for you and your circumstances.

• It is important you recognise that I am not liable for your pregnancy, birth and postpartum outcomes. I cannot control the path your birth takes. However I can do my best to provide you with support and evidence to inform your choices.

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2. Disclosures

If I become unwell (infectious) during our journey together and have a session booked with you or am on call for your birth, I will advise you as soon as possible to either reschedule, gain your consent to proceed with support or seek to arrange alternative support pending the situation.

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I also ask if you or anyone in your home is unwell you advise me prior to any in person session including labour support. It is important I do my best to protect the health of the families I work with as well as my own family.

 

3. Confidentiality

All your personal information will be kept strictly confidential.

However, should you feel comfortable with sharing any part of your experience (relating to my service or any imagery/birth story sharing) I am always so grateful.

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Your permission will always be requested in writing prior to sharing your birth story or any photos you provide to me.

I will never share photos that I take during your labour and birth without your written approval.
 

4. Communication

Throughout our journey together I am contactable by phone, text and email.

My number is 0416 569 215 and I kindly ask you to keep that number to yourself and your birth support, as this is my personal number.

As well as supporting birth, I am also frequently in appointments with clients throughout the day. So please leave a message if I don't answer and I will respond at my earliest convenience. 

ON CALL PERIOD: I will be on call for you from 38 weeks - 42 weeks. Should you labour outside of this window, please still attempt to make contact with me. It is important to note I do take on multiple birth clients a month. The chance of births overlapping are slim, but birth is unpredictable. By agreeing to engage my services you acknowledge this as a possibility. Please see section 10 regarding refunds.

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5. Your Labour & When to Call

In our sessions together we will discuss a labour plan that everyone is comfortable with and when to make contact with me. I encourage all birth partners to save my number as they are often the ones communicating with me. I will also have my phone on loud for your birth partner's number.

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6. Homebirth Transfer

In the event you choose to transfer to hospital from a planned homebirth, I will accompany you if that suits your needs best at the time. 

My ability to support you beyond 14 hours is very much dependent on my own family's needs. I will always check back in with my family prior to committing to 14+ hours.

If my support goes beyond 16 hours, an hourly fee of $80 for every hour above 16 may be charged afterwards at the discretion of Two Seasons Doula.

Please note, if I visit you in early labour, leave, then return later, the time I am not with you does not count towards the 14 hours. The 14 hours is only my physical time spent with you.

 

7. COVID & Vaccinations

For complete transparency, I am not fully vaccinated against COVID. I had the first two immunisations but have not had any subsequent boosters and do not intend to.

I am also not a regular influenza vaccinator and my last whooping cough shot was in 2020 (these are valid for 10 years).

I respect a birthing family's right to choose, and your vaccination status is not an issue for me.

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8. Freebirth Clause

I support a woman's right to choose where and how she births. If it is your intent to freebirth it is important you recognise the scope of a doula and my limits of practice in a birth setting.

• A doula does not and will not provide medical advice. I do not perform any medical observations or examinations including but not limited to; vaginal examinations, blood pressure, fetal heart rate monitoring or external palpations.

• If at any point you feel you need medical advice I encourage you to make contact with a known care provider or call 000.

• Just as a free birthing woman owns her power, it is equally important they familiarise themselves with the various ways birth can play out and are prepared to take responsibility for these outcomes.

• As your doula every effort will be made to provide emotional & physical support, sharing information supported by evidence. However I cannot control your birth journey & outcomes and I cannot provide medical assistance in an emergency pertaining to you or your baby.

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9. Shared Care Collaboration with Midwives in Darwin

My support within the collaboration with Midwives in Darwin still falls under the wording of this contract. Midwives in Darwin operate under their own engagement contract and may have different terms and conditions. It is important you familairise yourself with each of our contracts and terms of engagement.

 

10. Cancellations/Refunds

• It is important all Two Seasons clients are aware that I have a family - and my husband is my primary support to ensure our children are cared for when I get called to birth - this indirectly places his life ‘on call’. If his personal life requires some time out and it should clash with my on call period for your birth - this will be pre-discussed with you to advise that there may be some changes to navigate during your on call period.

• If I am unable to support you in labour at all (during your on call period), I will honour a refund of 20% of my full-service fee. In the event I become unwell or called to another birth and cannot attend your birth, I will do my best to source a trusted back up doula, however this cannot be guaranteed. Of course you are welcome to additional postpartum support in lieu of a refund.

• If I am unable to support your labour outside of your on-call period a refund may be given at the discretion of Two Seasons Doula - please do not take offence if no refund or remedy is given. I may offer additional postpartum support in lieu of a refund

• If your labour is shorter than 14 hours (or my time with you does not meet 14 hours) no refund is provided.

• If throughout your pregnancy or labour, your preferred or recommended method of birth becomes a caesarean, no refund will be given.

• If you have a change of mind after booking me, Two Seasons Doula reserves the right to retain all monies paid. Two Seasons Doula has the discretion to honour a refund depending on the circumstances, how much care has already been provided and potential financial impact on Two Seasons Doula.

• If you have a fast labour and I do not arrive in time, a refund is not provided

• If you have a premature birth and I am not able to be with you due to being outside your oncall period, no refund is given (additional postpartum support may be offered at the discretion of Two Seasons Doula)

• If you choose to not call me in labour or do not provide me with sufficient notice to get to you, no refund will be given.

• In the unfortunate event of an early pregnancy loss a  refund may be given at the discretion of Two Seasons Doula and with consideration to care already provided & financial impact to Two Seasons Doula

 

11. Inclusions 

 

• For the fee of $3,699 you will receive the following care & support:

• 5 x Antenatal Sessions 

• Up to 14 hours of birth support

• 1 x Postnatal Session

• Virtual Support via text & phone call throughout your pregnancy

• On call 38 - 42 weeks

• Use of TENS Machine (given at 36 weeks)

12. Payment

Full Service Fee is $3,699.00

Deposit to secure care is $500.00

 

1. Balance of $3,199.00 is payable by 37 weeks gestation.

2. Payment of balance can be paid in regular instalments by 37 weeks or a lump sum balance at or before 37 weeks.

3. Please nominate your preferred payment plan option in your booking form (weekly/fortnightly/monthly/lump sum).

4. Two Seasons Doula reserves the right to suspend or withdraw care if agreed payment terms are not adhered to.

If you are struggling to sustain the agreed payment plan, please discuss with me directly via phone or email.

 

All payments are payable to:

Two Seasons Doula

BSB: 015891

ACCOUNT: 174383734

Ref: Birthing woman's surname

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