Terms and Conditions
1. Scope of Professional Services
On Demand Doulas provides certified, non-medical support.
Support Types: Birth Doula Support, Postpartum Care (Daytime/Overnight), Childbirth Education, Virtual Support, and IVF Peace & Prep sessions.
Non-Medical Role: Our doulas are not medical professionals. We do not perform clinical tasks (e.g., vaginal exams, blood pressure, fetal heart monitoring) or provide medical advice. Our presence does not replace the care of your OBGYN, midwife, or nurse.
IVF Specifics: For IVF Prep sessions, the doula provides emotional and educational support. Doulas will not administer medical injections or handle medications.
2. Fees, Payments, and Credits
Retainer: A non-refundable retainer is required to secure your due date.
Balance: Remaining balances for birth packages are due by the 37th week of pregnancy.
Postpartum Billing: Hourly services ($55–$65/hr) are invoiced [Weekly/Bi-weekly].
Credit Expiration: All prepaid prenatal or postpartum credits must be used within one year of purchase.
3. Availability and “On-Call” Logistics
The On-Call Window: We are on-call 24/7 for birth clients starting at 37 weeks gestation.
The “Two-Hour” Rule: To ensure a timely arrival, clients must notify the doula via phone call (not text) as soon as labor is suspected. The doula requires a minimum of 2 hours from the time of the “come now” request to arrive at your home or hospital.
Backup Network: If your primary doula is attending another birth or is ill, a vetted backup from our network will be dispatched. You will be introduced to the backup options during your prenatal period.
4. Hospital Restrictions & Virtual Pivot
In the event that a hospital or birthing center limits the number of support people:
Virtual Support: We will provide continuous support via FaceTime, Zoom, or phone.
Fulfilled Service: If the doula is barred from physical entry by the facility, the virtual support provided constitutes a fulfilled contract. No refunds will be issued for facility-enforced restrictions, though additional postpartum hours may be credited at the doula’s discretion.
5. Failure of Service & Refund Policy
Rapid Labor: If the baby is born before the doula arrives due to a precipitous (rapid) labor—and the doula was notified and en route—no refund will be issued. However, [Number] hours of the birth fee will be converted into postpartum care.
Client “No-Call”: If the client fails to notify the doula that labor has begun or that the baby has been born, all fees are forfeited and no refund or credit will be issued.
Doula Error: If the doula or a backup fails to attend due to their own negligence or lack of communication, a [Percentage]% refund will be issued.
6. Communication & Business Boundaries
Business Hours: For non-urgent matters (scheduling, gear questions, birth plan edits), our office hours are 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Urgent Matters: During the on-call period, labor-related communication is available 24/7. Clients must CALL for urgent needs to ensure the doula is alerted (texts may be missed during sleep).
7. Media, Privacy, and Confidentiality
Confidentiality: All personal and medical information shared is strictly confidential.
Photography: Doulas may take photos during labor or postpartum for the client’s private use.
Social Media (Opt-In Only): No images of the client or newborn will be used for marketing on
ondemanddoulas.comor social media without an additional, explicitly signed Media Release Form.
8. Limitation of Liability
The client acknowledges that birth is unpredictable. On Demand Doulas and its contractors do not guarantee specific birth outcomes. We are not liable for medical complications, the performance of medical staff, or injuries occurring during labor or postpartum care.
