Erin M. Monast, HBCE, Hypnobirthing Regional Liaison, CD (DONA)

Erin M. Monast, HBCE, Hypnobirthing Regional Liaison, CD (DONA)

Erin M. Monast, HBCE, HypnoBirthing® Regional Liaison, CD (DONA)

LMT, Happiest Baby Educator, Baby’s First Massage Instructor

508-728-5906

Dear Parent/s,

Congratulations on your pregnancy and thank you for your interest in professional birth support. Many families are realizing that this “peak” life experience can also be an overwhelming time, especially with all the choices to make regarding the health care of mother and baby. The vast majorities of families that have used a doula have found that a doula’s presence in their home and at the birth can mean the difference between a satisfying, empowering experience versus a fearful and sometimes traumatic one.

Numerous studies have shown the following effects of doula support:

  • Outcomes are improved, (C-section rates are reduced)
  • Intervention rates are lower (less need for forceps, oxytocin, pain meds)
  • Moms choosing to breastfeed had better success
  • Mothers have less incidence of depression
  • Women feel more satisfaction after giving birth

Enclosed is some general information about my services for you to review and discuss. This agreement outlines my responsibilities as your doula, your responsibilities after hiring me, and how we work together cooperatively. The payment structure is also defined. If you have any questions about anything in this packet, or if you would like to set up an appointment for an interview, please call 508-728-5906. I look forward to helping you realize your birth and parenting dreams!

Sincerely,

Erin M. Monast

Agreement for Birthing Support Services

Your Doula’s Goals

  • To support you during your pregnancy, birth and postpartum period, in whatever choices you make.
  • To believe that birth is a normal physiological process and a sacred journey in a mother’s life.
  • To provide information so you can make informed choices and remain current on birth research.
  • To maintain complete confidentiality of all details relating to your pregnancy and birth.
  • To support you in having a positive birth experience and achieve the type of birth you desire.
  • To provide reassurance and perspective, offering ideas to help birthing progress, and help with

relaxation, massage, positioning, and other comfort techniques.

  • To provide physical, emotional and educational support.

My Obligation as Your Doula

  • It is normal for babies to come two weeks before or after your estimated due date. So I will be on call 24 hours a day for your birth beginning two weeks before and ending two weeks after the edd.
  • I will take responsibility as your primary doula. If for any reason you are unable to contact me with in 30 minutes when birthing, please call your designated back-up doula.
  • We will meet once prenatally (other than the initial meeting) to discuss the role of a doula, talk about your expectations, answer your questions, discuss birth plan options, when to call me, etc. Additional visits are available upon request
  • I will assist in drafting birth wishes and offer consultation by phone during your pregnancy.
  • I will provide early birthing support in your home, remaining with you 1-2 hours after the birth.
  • I will utilize non-interventive support techniques for birthing
  • I will provide emotional support by telephone during the prenatal and postpartum period, as requested.
  • I will help to initiate the breastfeeding process, as needed.
  • I will meet with you within the first month postpartum to answer any questions, offer professional referrals, and reflect on the birth. Additional follow-up visits can be arranged upon request.
  • If a cesarean section must be scheduled, I will still be present to support you.
  • A copy of all your confidential records will be given to you, upon request.

Your Obligations

  • You must arrange for attendance (midwife or doctor) at your birth.
  • If you plan to have a “unattended/unassisted birth” you must inform me prior to birthing.
  • You will create birth wishes and discuss these with your care provider, ensuring that your care provider and the staff at the facility you are birthing in agrees and supports your wishes.
  • You should provide honest answers and information about your history and your birth intentions.
  • You will call me at the earliest possible point when you think you may be beginning to birth, even if you are not sure, so that I may make arrangements to attend your birth.
  • You will allow me approximately one hour to reach you.
  • You should maintain your own excellent health and nutrition.
  • You make decisions regarding your care and when to call your provider or go to the hospital.
  • If you decide not to use me as a doula after signing this agreement, but before four weeks prior to your due date, I will refund any payment made above and beyond the retainer.
  • Unless arranging a payment plan, you will pay the total amount of the non-refundable retainer due at your first prenatal appointment. The full balance is due at, or prior to the 37th week of pregnancy or upon signing this agreement, whichever is later. I do not accept credit cards.

Failure to Provide Service

  • I will make every effort to provide the services described here. However, in the case of a rapid birth ormedical emergency, it may be impossible for me to provide these services.
  • If you contact me to advise that you are birthing in good time (2 hours prior to delivery), but neither myself nor the back -up doula is available to attend your birth due to an error on our part or a conflict, I will refund 70% of your total payment responsibility, or you can choose to apply it towards postpartum visits.
  • If you fail to call to advise us that you are beginning to birth, for whatever reason, or in the case of a precipitous (very fast) labor you will not be due a refund of amounts paid. Any remaining balance will also be due.
  • If you have a scheduled cesarean section due to breech presentment or a medical reason, 70% of your total payment responsibility will be refunded to you, unless I will be present for the birth and postpartum hours.
  • The initial retainer is non-refundable under all circumstances except for the case where no doula accompanied you during your birth and postpartum period due to an error on our part in which case you will receive a refund of 70% of the total payment responsibility.

Extent of Care

In order to provide quality service this contract stipulates that the care include:

  • Free phone consultation during the hours of (9am to 9pm) for non urgent calls urgent calls are welcomed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • One prenatal visit in my office or at your home.
  • Attendance during the birthing following the parents wishes.
  • Unlimited postpartum telephone contact during the hours of (9am to 9pm) for non-urgent calls urgent calls welcomed 24hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • One postpartum home visit (more available upon request)
  • Birth Photos if desired

Terms

  1. Any fees that need to be returned will be returned within 30 days.
  2. Failure to pay may result in collection, unless a payment schedule is agreed upon.

After considering the information above, as well as asking questions I/we felt necessary at our initial consultations, I/we the
parent/s, agree, in exchange for the Birth Doula package outlined above, to pay the Doula a fee of $______
To be paid as follows:
An initial non-refundable retainer of $350.00 to be paid upon signing of this contract. The remaining balance of
______is to be paid by the 37th week occurring on ______or at the time of signing this agreement, which ever is later.
If an alternate payment schedule is in effect, payments are due as follows:
In one payment of $______due on ______
OR
Monthly payments of $______due on the ______of every month,
Beginning the following date______with the final payment due on ______
Post-dated checks will be accepted at the time of signing.

Mail to: 21 Keene Road

Acushnet, MA 02743

After considering the information above, as well as asking questions I/we felt necessary at our initial consultations, I/we the
parent/s, agree, in exchange for the Birth Doula package outlined above, to pay the Doula a fee of $______
To be paid as follows:
An initial non-refundable retainer of $350.00 to be paid upon signing of this contract. The remaining balance of
______is to be paid by the 37th week occurring on ______or at the time of signing this agreement, which ever is later.
If an alternate payment schedule is in effect, payments are due as follows:
In one payment of $______due on ______
OR
Monthly payments of $______due on the ______of every month,
Beginning the following date______with the final payment due on ______
Post-dated checks will be accepted at the time of signing.
Mail to: 21 Keene Road
Acushnet, MA 02743