Refund Policy in your contracts

[sacredma]

Reading in another thread about refunds, I thought it would be good to post what it says in your contract about refunds.
Here's mine:

There will be a $300 non-refundable deposit when services are retained
and the balance will be due at 36 weeks.
Refund Policy
In the event of a rapid birth or other circumstances due to no fault of our
own, refunds will not be made available.

[doula_char]

We offer extra postpartum visits, or babysitting, if a precipitous birth causes us to miss it. No refund.

(though I'm making an exception for this new client, if her baby is born over thanksgiving, as they will be out of state.)

[sacredma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleValleyDoula I refund 100% if they are unhappy for ANY reason. That's good business policy. Otherwise, it is half due at the first prenatal, and half due at 38 weeks. IF the client has a scheduled c/s by 38 weeks (before my on-call period begins) they are off the hook for the rest. If I was on call and they never called me or birth was quick then I do keep all the fee since I was on call. FYI NO ONE has EVER asked me for a full refund.

i like the idea of getting half first, we usually get 1/3 when they sign the contract and the balance at 36 weeks.
so what happens if the c sec is after 38 weeks when you are on call?

[Garden Doula]

My contract:

Quote:

FEE AGREEMENTS Retainer is non-refundable once contract is enacted. CLIENT may cancel contract up to six weeks prior to EDD without incurring additional charges. If CLIENT cancels contract within six weeks of EDD, payment is due in full. If an induction of labor is selected prior to the advent of labor-- either:   If the cervix is unfavorable (not effaced or dilated), CLIENT may be asked to check in to the hospital in the evening for prostaglandin gel, or some other induction agent method.  After an evening of precursor medication, CLIENT will probably be given Pitocin starting in the morning. DOULA will plan to join you when contractions are becoming sufficient and strong. CLIENT must call DOULA to have her come to join when CLIENT needs doula support. If the cervix is ripe, CLIENT may simply be told check in and be given Pitocin immediately.  It is usually 2 hours from your check-in, until the Pitocin is actually administered--sometimes longer.  DOULA will join you after the check-in time, after the beginning of the Pitocin, when contractions are becoming sufficient and strong.  CLIENT must call DOULA to have her come to join when CLIENT needs doula support.  If the induction has begun, and an emergency cesarean section birth becomes necessary, then this will be considered a medical emergency, and DOULA agrees to follow those stipulations as outlined below in this contract.  If a planned/elective cesarean birth is selected prior to the advent of labor-- several options are available, either:  DOULA will attend the birth in the operating room as doula support (and will perform postpartum visits as mutually scheduled).  It is CLIENT'S responsibility to check as to your hospital policy for support persons allowed in the operating room.    DOULA will provide pre-operative doula support and post-operative doula support (and will perform postpartum visits as mutually scheduled).  DOULA will not go to the hospital on the scheduled birth date, but will add one additional postpartum visit   If CLIENT wishes to cancel doula services, then the $285 portion of the fee will only be refunded if the decision is made prior to 6 weeks before the EDD listed on the contract. In the case of rapid (precipitous) birth or medical emergency, it may be impossible for DOULA to provide all of these services. DOULA will keep retainer and remaining balance will be due at that time, if not already settled. DOULA will arrive as quickly as possible after birth to provide immediate postpartum support and provide the scheduled postpartum visit. DOULA will make every reasonable effort to provide the services described in this contract. If CLIENT chooses not to use some/all of the services, CLIENT agrees not to request any refund (full or partial). If CLIENT fails to call doula for the birth, fee will not be refunded. If DOULA does not attend the birth due to unreasonable error, the second payment of $285 will be refunded.

[sacredma]

thanks vanessa for posting your contract. i like how detailed it is. i never thought to include all that but i think it's sometimes necessary to be that clear!
you wrote that if they cancel up to 6 weeks prior to their dd, payment is due in full. when do you actually get your full payment?

[Garden Doula]

I get payment 30 days before the due date... which is inside the 6 week window. I have not had to enforce the cancellation policy- I don't imagine that I would. BUT I have it in there to add some accountability to the client to keep me "in the loop" so to speak. I have heard stories about not hearing from the couple after the contract was signed and I want them to feel invested, YK?

I think that if someone wasn't feeling comfortable with me, that I would let them go without having to pay the second installment. So that they could find someone else and hire them.

[busybusymomma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birthing_Garden_Vanessa I think that if someone wasn't feeling comfortable with me, that I would let them go without having to pay the second installment. So that they could find someone else and hire them.

Yeah, I would agree with that policy.

[DoulaCindy]

Here is what is in my contract about fees/refunds:

Doula will make every effort to provide the services described herein. If doula (or back-up doula) fails to attend due to doula’s error, there will be no charge other than the retainer fee. If doula (or back-up doula) fails to attend the client’s birth due to circumstances beyond doula’s control (for example, with a rapid labor, restrictions of the Hospital staff, etc.) the doula will keep 50% of the fee due to time spent in prenatals and being on call. She will refund the remaining 50%.

Since the doula accepted the client and did not accept any other client, doula is holding the space open and the client is now on doula’s calendar for the time surrounding the due date. Therefore, the client’s failure to contact doula, or choice to cancel doula’s services and attendance at the birth without due notice (one month or as written here: _____________) will not result in any refund. In the case of a planned c-section, if client decides the doula is not needed ahead of time, doula will refund ½ ($300) of the fee. If doula assists client during labor but at some point a c-section is needed, doula will retain the full fee because of time spent with client. Doula will remain at hospital and assist mom with breastfeeding after surgery if desired by client.

[sacredma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppleValleyDoula I will support them at the c/s and continue with postpartum care...typically I throw in an extra prenatal before the c/s to discuss the change of plans and write up a different birth plan, explain the procedure...so on...

I like the idea of giving an extra prenatal to prepare them for the csec.
Thats a great way of to be supportive!

[Garden Doula]

I do 2 postpartum visits if they only get one in before the birth. I just give them six hours, in increments of two hours to use as they want and is mutually available.