POSTPARTUM DOULA SERVICE AGREEMENT Template from cradledapp.com/guides/postpartum-doula-contract-template This template is a starting point, not legal advice. Laws about contracts, deposits, refunds, employment, and privacy vary by state, province, and country. Have it reviewed by a lawyer where you practice before you use it with clients. Replace everything in [BRACKETS]. Delete any section that doesn't apply. ------------------------------ 1. PARTIES This agreement is between: Doula: [Your name], [Business name], [Email], [Phone] ("the Doula") Client: [Client name], [Email], [Phone] ("the Client") Partner or support person (optional): [Name] Home address where support will take place: [Address] Baby's due date or date of birth: [Date] ------------------------------ 2. SERVICES INCLUDED The Doula will provide non-medical postpartum support in the Client's home, which may include: - support with feeding, burping, soothing, and newborn care; - time for the Client to rest, shower, and eat; - light household tasks related to the baby and the Client's recovery, such as baby laundry, washing bottles or pump parts, tidying the nursery, and preparing simple meals; - time with older siblings while the Client focuses on the baby; - emotional support, information, and referrals to other professionals when needed. Services do not include: [e.g. heavy cleaning, care of other adults, pet care beyond basic needs, driving the baby without a parent]. ------------------------------ 3. SCOPE OF PRACTICE The Doula is not a medical professional and will not perform clinical or medical tasks, diagnose, or give medical advice. The Client is responsible for the medical care of themselves and their baby, and will keep their care providers informed. The Doula may suggest that the Client contact a care provider and will help them find information and resources. [Choose one] The Doula will provide care while a parent is at home. / The Doula may care for the baby while parents are out, for up to [Hours], with written instructions and emergency contacts. ------------------------------ 4. PACKAGE AND FEES Package: [Number] hours of support, to be used within [e.g. 12 weeks] of [the birth / the first shift]. Day rate: [Amount] per hour, with a minimum shift of [e.g. 3] hours. Overnight rate: [Amount] per shift ([e.g. 10pm-6am]). Additional hours beyond the package: [Amount] per hour. Travel beyond [Distance]: [Amount]. a) Deposit: [Amount], due when this agreement is signed, and applied to [the first shifts / the package total]. The deposit is [non-refundable / refundable as described in section 8]. b) Balance: [paid in full before the first shift / paid weekly for the hours scheduled that week / paid in prepaid blocks of Number hours]. c) Accepted payment methods: [e.g. card, e-transfer, bank transfer, cash]. d) Late payment: if a payment is late by [Number] days, the Doula may pause scheduled shifts until it's paid. ------------------------------ 5. SCHEDULING AND CANCELLATIONS a) Shifts are scheduled [e.g. one week ahead], based on the Doula's availability. b) If the Client cancels a shift with less than [e.g. 24 hours'] notice, the shift is charged [in full / at Percentage]. c) If the Doula has to cancel a shift, the Doula will offer [a replacement time / a backup doula / no charge for that shift]. d) If the Doula is asked to stay past the end of a shift, extra time is charged at [Rate] in [e.g. 15-minute] increments. ------------------------------ 6. UNUSED HOURS Hours not used within [Timeframe] [expire / can be transferred to Option / are refunded at Rate]. The Doula will remind the Client of their remaining hours [e.g. every two weeks]. ------------------------------ 7. HEALTH AND SAFETY a) Illness: if the Doula or anyone in the Client's home has a contagious illness, the shift will be rescheduled with no cancellation fee [or: according to section 5]. b) Safe environment: the Client will keep the home safe for the Doula to work in, including [e.g. pets secured as agreed, a smoke-free environment during shifts]. The Doula may end a shift early if they feel unsafe. c) Safe sleep: the Doula follows current safe sleep guidelines and will not [e.g. bed-share with the baby or leave the baby in an unsafe sleep position]. ------------------------------ 8. EMERGENCIES In an emergency, the Doula will call local emergency services and then contact the Client and their emergency contact. The Doula is not responsible for providing medical care. Emergency contact: [Name, phone] Baby's care provider: [Name, phone] Client's care provider: [Name, phone] ------------------------------ 9. ENDING THE AGREEMENT Either party may end this agreement by writing to the other. If the Client ends it, [unused prepaid hours are refunded at Rate, minus the deposit / unused hours are not refunded]. If the Doula ends it for a reason that is not the Client's responsibility, the Doula will refund prepaid hours not yet used and, where possible, help the Client find other support. ------------------------------ 10. CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY The Doula will keep the Client's personal information private and will not share it without the Client's consent, except where the law requires it (for example, if someone is at risk of serious harm). The Doula will store records securely and keep them for [Timeframe]. ------------------------------ 11. PHOTOS AND SOCIAL MEDIA The Doula will not take photos or video, or share any details of the family online, without the Client's written consent. The Client [does / does not] consent to the Doula sharing a testimonial online, [with or without the Client's name]. ------------------------------ 12. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT By signing, the Client confirms that they have read this agreement, had the chance to ask questions, and understand that the Doula provides non-medical support only. This agreement is governed by the laws of [State / Province, Country]. SIGNATURES Client: ______________________________ Date: ____________ [Client name] Partner or support person (optional): ______________________ Date: ________ [Name] Doula: ______________________________ Date: ____________ [Your name], [Business name]