- is professionally trained

- draws on her knowledge and experience to provide emotional, physical and informational support to make sure the birthing person and their birthing partner have the information they need to make informed decisions during labour

- Okanagan doula's back up doulas are are independent contractors. Okanagan Doula will not be held accountable for the actions or inactions of their independent contractors, or birth outcomes of their clients.

- can provide reassurance and perspective to me and my birthing partner, make suggestions to help labour progress and help with relaxation, massage positioning and other techniques for comfort

- will not attend planned unassisted births, and will only take clients who are birthing under the care of a Registered Midwife, Physician or Obstetrician.

I understand a Doula:

- accompanies the birthing person in labour to help ensure a satisfying birth experience

- works for the birthing person, not their care provider or hospital

- does not perform clinical tasks such as blood pressure or fetal heart monitoring

- provides physical, emotional and informational support either at home or in the hospital

- meet with me before the birth to discuss the birth, as circumstances allow

- provide birth plan information and consultation as requested

- share all information with the backup doula, or other professionals as needed

- answer questions and make suggestions via phone or email before labour begins

- provide active labour support as requested, including in our home when appropriate

- utilize non-medical support and comfort techniques for labour and birth

- provide resources to assist in making informed decisions during labour and birth as requested

- assist in providing information and giving emotional and practical mothering support by telephone or email on postpartum care, breastfeeding and newborn care after birth, as requested. Other arrangements may be made.

- be allowed the option of respites, if she so needs, for both her and your protection and safety

- will keep my Doula updated after every visit with my care provider, especially if there are concerns or updates that our care provider has about our pregnancy and/or labour or birth

- will CALL my doula when I think I may be in labour, even if I am not sure, so that she can make arrangements to attend my birth

- will call my doula when I are ready for her to join me whether it be at home or in the hospital

- will allow my Doula up to two hours to reach us

- it is my responsibility to ensure that my Doula is allowed to attend me while at the hospital, if I am choosing to give birth there.

- will pay the retainer amount upon hiring, with the remaining being paid by two weeks after the invoice date unless special arrangements are made in advance.

- I understand the retainer fee is non-refundable after signing this agreement.

- My doula will make every effort to provide the services described here.

- My doula may have other clients, and will attend to her clients in the order they were booked. If my doula is with another client or is unable to attend our birth, she will try to arrange for a backup doula to take their place, however this can not be guaranteed.

- In the case of unforeseen circumstances (multiple clients in active labour, weather related issues that prevent doula’s attendance, backup unavailable, etc.), $200 of the retainer fee will be refunded and postpartum support will continue as normal.

- In case of a rapid birth, or medical emergency, it may be impossible for my doula to provide her services, through no fault of her own. In this case, full fees will be applicable.

- If I fail to call my doula or give enough notice for her to arrive for whatever reason, the full fee is applicable.

- My doula and/or backup doula will attend births at Penticton Regional Hospital, however can not guarantee to accompany a client if birthing at, or a transfer to, a different hospital is needed. Full fee will still apply.

At the signing of this contract, it is assumed that no one can anticipate the type of labour and birth I am going to have. Okanagan Doula
can only contract with a small number of clients in any particular time frame (for fear of missing someone's birth and not meeting their need)
and cannot change fees according to how births turn out. Okanagan Doula is committed to short labouring clients as well as long labouring
clients, and has been considered tremendous assets to families that are in need of a cesarean section as recovery, bonding and breastfeeding
can be challenging in this case.

The birth doula fee is $800. This includes 1 prenatal visit, 1 postpartum visit, unlimited phone/email support and face-to-face labour support.
A non-refundable retainer of $400 is required to hold your spot in our calendar upon hiring, with the remaining $400 due two weeks following
delivery/invoice date. Additional fees will be applicable if payments/other arrangements are not made prior to that date.
Resources & equipment lent out will need to be returned by 15 days after delivery or they will be billed for.