Service Agreement

Month 10's primary purpose is to care for and support the new mother after the birth of her child/children. We will also support the father or partner in their new role. We will help with postpartum care and suggest non-medical alternatives for healing and comfort. We will make referrals when a family's needs are out of our range of services.

A Month 10 doula will teach the basics of newborn care, such as bathing, feeding, comforting, newborn safety, massage and swaddling techniques. She will assist parents in learning to care for the baby's needs, and may occasionally take over care of the newborn so that the mother can bathe, rest, etc. She will give evidence-based answers to questions about common newborn concerns, such as sleep, feeding, and daily routines. She will refer you to knowledgeable help when necessary.

Month 10 encourages breastfeeding whenever possible, and will help the mother to establish successful lactation. We are not lactation consultants, but have had training and experience with breastfeeding, and can provide professional referrals. We can also help a bottle-feeding mother establish a nurturing pattern of feeding her baby/babies.

Month 10 postpartum doulas, in agreement with the standards of practice of DONA, do not perform any clinical tasks, such as inspecting stitches, taking temperatures or administering medication. We cannot diagnose medical or psychological conditions of the mother or baby, but can provide referrals to a health care provider when appropriate. You may be assured that any information your doula obtains about you and/or your family will be held in confidence.

Your doula will help with light housework. She may do laundry, tidy the house, sweep/mop floors and dust as needed to help keep a peaceful home. Any regular cleaning or bigger jobs will be referred by your doula to a cleaning service that will respect the needs of the family. Doulas may also cook meals upon request, grocery shop, run errands and help with older siblings.

Month 10 consists of several doulas, and it is likely that you will be asked to work with more than one person (one at a time). If this is not comfortable for you, we can mutually arrange a schedule that will ensure a single doula. Doulas will be available for up to 6 hours a day (with a 3-hour minimum). An exception can be made to provide overnight care to mothers of multiples or mothers and babies with other special needs. Your doula can visit you in the hospital before your discharge to check on your progress, hear any concerns, listen to your birth story, and make certain that you will be comfortable when you get home. If you have had a home birth, we can visit when you feel ready.

We need 48-hours notice before the first day of service. Our packages must be paid in full before the first day of service/home visit. Additional hours can be purchased after this date, but availability cannot be guaranteed. Fees for overnight care must be arranged in advance with the director. We commit to your service when we receive the $100 non-refundable set-up fee. For billing purposes, an hour of doula service begins when the doula arrives at your home at an agreed-upon time and ends when she leaves. Time may include running errands. Service may be cancelled 24-hours in advance with no penalty, but you will be billed for other cancellations. If service is discontinued, you will receive a 50% refund on all usused fees. If the doula or a family member is ill, we will attempt to provide a replacement, but we may need to reschedule service. Your doula is available by telephone free of charge.

A Month 10 doula can work most effectively when you and your partner openly communicate your needs and preferences.

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PLEASE RETURN THIS PAGE TO MONTH 10 AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS.

You may keep the previous page for your records.

My family would like to purchase the following package:

BASIC PACKAGE: $400 (home visit + 18 hours service)____
FULL PACKAGE: $800 (home visit + 38 hours service)____
DELUXE PACKAGE: $1200 (home visit + 58 hours service)____

TRAVEL FEES: $_____ per day of service

Our service needs are as follows:

Week 1: _____hours per day for ______ days = _______ hours

Week 2: _____hours per day for ______ days = _______ hours

Week 3: ____ hours per day for ______ days = _______ hours

Week 4: _____hours per day for ______ days = _______ hours

$50 Set-up Fee Received: ____________________(Date)

My/Our due date is __________. Service may begin within 3 weeks before or after this date, unless otherwise arranged.

Signed, Client ___________________________________

Client's Partner _______________________ Date______________

Mobile Phone #: _____________________

Contact Phone: _____________________

Street Address:

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E-mail address:

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Special Circumstances/Schedule: