BIRTH CONTRACT / LETTER OF AGREEMENT
Tessa Rose Welsh
Address?
07525656039
Ecosystem Letter of Agreement between Tessa Rose welsh and xxxxx
This Agreement outlines the extent and Boundaries of Services
What services can I provide for you?
As a doula, I accompany women through their birth preparations and assist them during labour, birth and bonding. I also support the new family in the first weeks after birth. I 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 in the absence of your partner if this has been clearly stated in your birth plan.
I draw on my knowledge and experience, as set out in my CV available on my website, but also from all the women and couples I’ve been lucky to support, to provide you with emotional support and physical comfort. 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 during pregnancy, labour, bonding and early parenting. I can provide continuum of care for you and your partner, make suggestions for planning and preparing your birth and bonding environment and building rapport with your midwives and medical attendants.
I am able to make suggestions for labour progress, help with relaxation, positioning and other comfort measures. I can safeguard your bonding period and am available for consultation after the baby is born. I do not come between you and your partner but rather support you both.
How do I provide this service to you?
I prefer to meet with you and (if applicable) your partner at least twice before labour. Towards the later stages we may find it useful to hang out more often. The first meeting is usually used for getting to know each other, to explore and discuss your priorities, any fears or concerns, and to plan how we might best work together. I like us to keep in touch by phoning and e-mailing on a regular basis to see how things are progressing.
I want to become familiar with your birth preferences and I also want to know your natural coping mechanisms and how your partner and I could help with these.
How do I support you at the birth?
I need you to call me immediately (at any hour of the day!) when you believe that you may be going into or are already in labour. To be able to give you the best care I need to know about bowel movements, shows, how you feel and any signs of bleeding, discomfort and pain.
After assessing the situation over the phone, we will decide together on the best course of action. Even if you go into hospital, I prefer to meet you at home, unless the baby comes in a hurry or an emergency situation has occurred. Please keep in mind that I may need 90 minutes to arrive. I always work with a back-up doula to ensure you will be supported if due to unforeseen circumstances, I’m unavailable on the day you go into labour.
Except for extraordinary circumstances, 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 (if the circumstances require it and I am satisfied that you feel emotionally safe I may accompany your baby after birth and do my best to bring her/him back to you as quickly as possible). I can help with the initial breast feeding if you need some support.
I would like to get together with you within one or two weeks after the birth to see how you are doing, admire your baby and listen to you and your partner’s story. As part of this contract, I am available for consultation by phone during the first six weeks after birth.
If you want to use natural remedies during pregnancy, labour and early parenting, I suggest that you contact a professional therapist. If you want me to administer any of these, please make sure that it is clearly written in your “Birth Preference”. There are many traditional techniques and remedies i carry with me in my real and metaphorical doula basket.
My contract with you
I will make every effort to provide the services described in this contract. It may be that external circumstances may limit my availability (for example rapid labour). If failure to attend your birth is due to my misjudgement or unavailability, only the remainder of the fee you decide is payable unless my back-up doulas attends the birth instead. But, if it is due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control or negligence on your part (e.g. you call me too late or choose to keep vital information from me) the full fee applies. If you cancel this contract less than six weeks before your due date, the full fee applies.
My fees
My fees for the service described are £xxx-
Retaining fee (payable when contract is signed) £ [typically 30-50%]
Remaining fees (payable 2 weeks prior to due date ideally) £
If you require additional visits other than one or two postnatal visits, my fee is £x per hour or £x- for a bundle of 10 hours. I’m a qualified chef ;)
_____________________________________________________________
I/We have read this contract describing our doula’s services and agree that it reflects the discussions we had with her. I/We are agreeable to the contents of this contract.
Date .............3.3.16........................... Baby due date ……….16.5.16…………………….
Client ..................................................................................
Clients partner ....................................................................................
Doula .........................................nicola goodall............................................
[DOULA NAME]
Full Birth Support Package (Antenatal -Birth-Post Natal) - £1700
Booking Support & Getting Started
Full birth support starts whenever you make contact and confirm you would like me to be your doula. We will arrange the first Antenatal meet up and take it from there.
Payment;
• On booking a deposit of £200 must be paid, to secure your chosen support package (this is nonrefundable).
• Remaining fee to be paid in full, before the on-call period starts.
Structure of Full Birth Support;
• Minimum 3 antenatal visits.
• On call support from 38 weeks until birth.
• Minimum 2 post-natal visits
• Personal Birth Group Message support.
• Attendance at birth for a maximum of 18 hours. At that point or before if needed, I will take a recharge break for a few hours. This is to ensure quality of care and wellbeing for those I am supporting and for myself.
• In the case of a Transfer to Hospital, I will accompany if you wish me to and offer support as best I can. Please respect that due to the nature of practice and procedure in hospital, I may need to take more breaks to support my own wellbeing and ensure I am safe to continue supporting.
• In the incident of an emergency with my own family, this will always take precedence.
• In incidence where I need to step out and if
Antenatal support / Birth Preparation
The Antenatal visits are an opportunity to meet and get to know one another and do what you love doing, go for a walk, eat or make food, listen to music, dance - essentially spend time together!
Here is a breakdown of some of the things we can cover;
• Birth preparation - discuss what your needs, wants and ideas are around your birth and create a birthing plan to support this.
• Birth Art and Affirmation setting to work through concerns, apprehensions, set positive intentions and focus points.
• Active Birthing preparation – exploring the use of birth positions, massage, visualisation and relaxation techniques to support you during labour.
• Accompanying you to antenatal meetings/appointments if you would like me to.
• Connecting you with other services you may find useful.
• Use of any birth/parenting literature/videos etc that is of interest or has been identified through our discussions.
• Sharing of any useful information, articles, traditional practices, alternative therapies and services relevant to your wishes and desires for your birthing journey.
On Call Support - Keeping in touch
Communication and connection is everything
For most births the on-call period is from 38 weeks.
During this time it is preferable to be in touch every few days via phone or email and I will have my phone on and charged at all times. I am here to support you so don’t worry about making contact, it’s really important we are on the same page and that you keep me informed of any changes as soon as you can, including updates, progress or any pre-labour signs (loss of mucous plug, lower back pain, mild period like cramps, unusual bowel movements, waters breaking, regular contractions etc). To ensure I can give you my full attention and support, I ask that you give me as much notice as possible, so that I can arrange my own childcare and family arrangements.
When do I arrive
I can support at the birth from the point you make contact and want me there. Every situation is different, and it may be appropriate for me to leave and come back once I’ve checked in with you. Please allow at least ONE HOUR for me to get to you. I can support you to the best of my ability when I am rested and recharged, however I would much rather you get in touch too early, than too late and keep communication really open and frequent. I can be on hand to support and negotiate with NHS staff, fill the pool, massage, make tea or tag team with your birth partner while they sleep.
What will I do during labour
My role is to serve you the mama & your partner, to offer emotional and physical presence, love and support, as a woman and a mother, so you feel empowered to embrace your birthing journey. I do not preform clinical tasks (blood pressure, foetal exams, vaginal examinations etc). If you are comfortable and birthing well, my role is to do very little, so as not to intervene with your natural birthing instincts. If you need support, I will be on hand to massage, offer suggestions for birthing positions, provide physical support in these positions, communicate with any NHS staff and be your advocate if necessary.
When will I leave
After the birth, I will be with you until you are comfortable and wanting some time privately as a family. I can stay to support you through the first breastfeeding latch if needed. I will be available via phone or email to answer any questions you have before your post-natal visit.
Post Natal Support
This visit can take whatever form of support is needed at this time. If it feels appropriate I can visit in the first few days after the birth. Here is a breakdown of what this could include;
• Debrief of the birth
• Support Connecting with other services to support physical and emotional healing, bonding, transition to motherhood etc
• Use of traditional techniques using herbs, wraps and oils to support healing,
• Breastfeeding Support
• One post Natal Nourishing food parcel including teas and herbs
• Time to just sit and listen, hold baby while you drink a cup of tea or have a bath.
Shared Understanding
Birth is a monumental and transformative time for you and I am committed to working with you to ensure we have the best birth possible for you and your family. I fanatical about pregnancy, birth and parenthood and supporting women to experience and step into their full power and autonomy. I am dedicated to my professional role as a birth support and, as a mother of two, my priority is always to my own family. I will respond to you as soon as I can on every occasion and offer you my attention, love and support.
Doula Cover
During the period I am on call for you, there may be a few dates I cannot do due to existing commitments. At the time of booking, any dates I am unavailable for, will be discussed with you and a support doula arranged to cover those dates if you wish.