A postpartum doula is there to help a new family in those first days and weeks after a new baby arrives. Services include, but are not limited to, help with self-care recovery, postpartum comfort measures, infant care, parenting information and assistance with learning to feed and take care of your baby, as well as other practical services. These services may last anywhere from a few days to a few months. Postpartum doulas may assist during the day or night as they help the family transition into life with an infant.

Once under contract, during normal business hours, your doula will be available to answer questions about upcoming baby care or services any time before the birth of your baby.

When baby is born, your doula will provide the following services:

-Education on postpartum issues
-Guidance with newborn care and feeding
-Sibling care
-Breastfeeding support and tips
-Bottle feeding support and tips
-Emotional support and nurturing for the new mother
-Help with postpartum care (ie: preparing sitz baths, foot soaks, etc)
-meal planning/prep
-Very light housekeeping (ie: light laundry and folding, tidying up)
-Feeding and care of the newborn

Doulas are not medical professionals. Information presented by the doula is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of a licensed health care professional. In addition, doulas do not make specific health claims or promise medical results.

A postpartum doula does not dispense any medications (over the counter or prescribed) to any member of the family. The doula is not responsible for major housecleaning tasks, nor will she take over care of baby, discipline other children or transport any member of the client’s family.

An initial payment of your chosen package is due upon the signing of this contract and places your family or due date on the postpartum doula's calendar. This payment is non-refundable. Postpartum doula package fees are a payment plan for contracted hours and are not itemized, thus upon contract signing, you agree to the contract in full. Refunds are not provided for any unused portion of the contract and payments are not transferable.

For those choosing the pay as you go option, the initial payment is applied to the last shift the postpartum doula works. This payment is non-refundable. The doula should be advised to her last shift.

If your postpartum doula cannot work the agreed hours on any given shift, she will call with 24 hours notice or will provide a qualified backup and will be responsible for payment of her services. The backup postpartum doula will provide the same services outlined in this contract. You will also be given the option to reschedule those hours if you prefer.

Scheduled postpartum shifts must be canceled 24 hours in advance. Shifts not cancelled in advance may be subject to charge.

If the contract is initiated prior to the birth of the baby, it is the family's responsibility to contact the doula to advise them that the baby has arrived so services can be initiated. It is the family's responsibility to notify the agency in the case of the loss of a baby during pregnancy prior to the initiation of postpartum doula services.

The postpartum doula role is not that of a primary childcare provider. A parent is expected to be on the premises while the postpartum doula is working.

Client agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Gallo Birth Services harmless from claims, losses, judgments, damages, expenses and costs (including attorneys’ fees and court costs), whether fixed or contingent, arising from or related to: damage to real or tangible personal property of client or any third party as a result of the fault of the client or any other third party.

I/We have read this letter describing the doula’s services and agree to the stated terms.