Terms and Conditions

Doulas use their training, knowledge, and experience to provide emotional, physical, and informational support to the birthing family. They guide communication with care providers, ensuring you and your birth partner have the information needed to make informed decisions during labor. Doulas offer reassurance, perspective, and suggestions to help labor progress, and assist with relaxation, massage, positioning, and other comfort techniques.

I will provide one prenatal meeting prior to your labor. During this meeting, we will discuss your preferences for labor management and explore the various options available to you. I will also learn about your preferred coping strategies for pain and fatigue and how you and your partner plan to work together. If I do not have access to your birthing location, we will schedule two additional virtual prenatal meetings to establish a communication plan and practice comfort and coping skills.

I will offer phone support as needed until you are ready for me to join you at your preferred location. Once I arrive, I will provide continuous support throughout your labor and delivery. If I cannot access your birthing location, I will offer in-person support at your home (if allowed) and virtual support while you are at the birthing location.

Typically, I will stay for one to two hours after the birth to ensure the new family is comfortable and ready for quiet time together. I can also assist with initial breast/chestfeeding if desired. I am available by phone for questions about the birth or baby and would like to meet with you within three weeks to discuss how everyone is doing, review the birth, and receive feedback about my role. If I cannot access your birthing location, all postpartum meetings may be virtual if in-person meetings are not advised or preferred.

If I am unavailable for labor support, I will arrange one or more backup doulas. The doula will be well trained and have all required certification(s).  You have the right to decline the recommended backup, but you understand that there will be no reduction in fees.

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Initial from Client

There may be occasions where I am unable to attend your birth due to forces beyond our control, such as acts of God (e.g., fire, flood, earthquake, storm, tornado, hurricane, or other natural disasters), government sanctions, labor disputes, strikes, lockouts, or interruptions in electricity or telephone service (collectively “force majeure”). If I am unable to attend due to circumstances within my control, you will be refunded all fees paid. If I cannot attend due to factors outside my control, such as precipitous labor or your failure to notify me that you are in labor, the agreement remains in effect, and no refund will be issued. In such cases, I may be able to join you after the birth to help you get settled and establish breast/chestfeeding, just as if I were present during the actual birth.

If you have a cesarean birth, whether planned or emergency, you understand that all fees remain the same. I will provide as much support as the hospital staff allows. It is your responsibility to secure my place in the operating room. If you have a scheduled cesarean, I will meet you at the hospital at the designated time. I will accompany you in the operating room (if permitted) and remain with you during recovery, offering emotional support and breast/chestfeeding assistance. If I am not allowed in the operating room (due to emergency, policy, etc.), I will join you once your care provider permits after the birth.

You are solely responsible for your medical well-being. You must inform your primary caregiver (e.g., OB, midwife) that a doula will be present and ensure that I am permitted to provide support. Notify your primary care provider and me of any complications, whether pregnancy-related or not. I prefer you call me when you suspect labor has started, even if you don't yet need me. I can answer questions and make suggestions over the phone. Together, we will decide whether I should come immediately or wait for further changes (I usually need approximately one to two hours to reach you after you request my presence). We will also decide where to meet (your home or the birth location). Except in extraordinary circumstances, I or my backup doula will remain with you throughout labor and birth.

As your doula, you understand and agree that:

• I do not guarantee any outcomes.
• I do not make decisions for you. This is your responsibility. I will provide the information you need to make informed decisions and remind you if there is a departure from your initial plans.
• I do not perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure readings, fetal heart checks, or vaginal exams. My role is to offer physical comfort, emotional support, and advocacy.
• I do not communicate with the staff on your behalf. I will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you or your partner will speak with the clinical staff.
• I make no representations or warranties, whether express or implied, regarding the doula services or the outcome of your birth.

In the event of any dispute arising regarding the doula services or this agreement, you understand and agree that my maximum liability is limited to the fees paid. Neither party will be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, exemplary, punitive, or consequential damages, regardless of the basis for liability, including breach of contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability, breach of warranty, or failure of essential purpose, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

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Initial from Client

As your doula, I am committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of all information shared with me. This includes any personal and medical details disclosed during our work together.

I comply with all relevant HIPAA regulations and will not share your information with third parties without your explicit consent, except as required by law. All records and communications are securely stored and accessed only by me for the purpose of providing doula services.

You agree to keep any shared information about backup doulas confidential and to respect their privacy.

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Initial from Client

After signing the contract, you can text or call me at (425) 296-4359 for urgent matters. For less urgent communication, please email me at asanathedoula@gmail.com. In the event of early labor, please call me. If I do not answer, try calling me two additional times.

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Initial from Client

The fee for the services described is $2800, payable as follows:

• $1400 as a non-refundable deposit, due upon signing
• $1400 due at the first prenatal meeting

Client Name: _______________________________________

Signed by Client: ____________________________________ Date: ______________

Client Address: __________________________________________________________________

Pregnant Person Cell Phone: ________________

Support Person Cell Phone: ________________

Signed by Asanatou Ceesay: ___________________________ Date: ______________