advise..

jesscardona · 08-09-2006, 07:00 PM

okay, I need some advice I got an email from a mother asking me a bunch of questions!
one of them is that if for some reason I miss the birth, If I would reimburse the deposit... Do many of you reimburse that if you miss the birth?
and what are my feeling on epidurals??
and if I have a back up doula, (which I don't) but I'm just trying to find the best way to answer!

MindOverLaborDoulas · 08-09-2006, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesscardona

okay, I need some advice I got an email from a mother asking me a bunch of questions!
one of them is that if for some reason I miss the birth, If I would reimburse the deposit... Do many of you reimburse that if you miss the birth?
and what are my feeling on epidurals??
and if I have a back up doula, (which I don't) but I'm just trying to find the best way to answer!

If the reason that I missed it was my fault for being out of town, not hearing my phone ring, or something like that then I do refund money.
If they didn't call me or if they are at fault then I do not refund.
You are still doing a lot of work even if you miss the birth.

I can't answer the epi question cause it's not me, it's you. You have to answer that one on your own.

I would just say something along the lines that I do try to make every effort to make the birth and yada yada....

Sorry that I can't be of much help, but that's about all that I can answer and the rest is up to you!!!

Little Blessings · 08-09-2006, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesscardona

okay, I need some advice I got an email from a mother asking me a bunch of questions!
one of them is that if for some reason I miss the birth, If I would reimburse the deposit... Do many of you reimburse that if you miss the birth?
and what are my feeling on epidurals??
and if I have a back up doula, (which I don't) but I'm just trying to find the best way to answer!

This is how I would handle the questions. If I missed the birth due to my fault like being out of town etc I would reimurse the deposit..but if it was due to them not calling you, or too fast of a birth, things that are out of your control I would not.
As far as the epidurals...that again is your answer on how you feel...I personally do not like epidurals but my feelings about epidurals would not affect her birth as it is her birth not mine and she needs to define what her perfect birth is..so in all due reality this is up to the client weather or not she likes or dislikes epidurals after all it will not be you receiving the epidural.
I personally do not have a back-up doula as of yet and would love one...but for right now I would ensure that I would only schedule one or two births a month...I propably would stick to just one to ensure that I could make the birth and not leave her on her own without a Doula.

Just my two cents...hope that this will help you!

newbirth · 08-09-2006, 08:50 PM

My contract stipulates that if I miss the birth due to my own fault, I refund their fees except the $150 non-refundable that secures their spot on my calendar and pays fees for prenatals, etc.

Kim Trower · 08-09-2006, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesscardona

okay, I need some advice I got an email from a mother asking me a bunch of questions!
one of them is that if for some reason I miss the birth, If I would reimburse the deposit... Do many of you reimburse that if you miss the birth?
and what are my feeling on epidurals??
and if I have a back up doula, (which I don't) but I'm just trying to find the best way to answer!

My answers would be:
If I miss the birth due to my fault AND don't send a back up I would reimburse $300. If I miss the birth due to unexpected circumstances such as fast labor, planned cesarean, or you didn't call me then no refund would be do.

My feelings on epidurals (and everything for that matter) is that it has it's place in the birth world. Part of my services include education on pros and cons so that you can make the choices that your are comfortable with. I support informed choice and want women to have satisfying birth experiences based one what that means to them.

If I didn't have a back up doula I would say I don't have a specific doula that I always rely on however I have a working relationship with all the doulas in town if a situation would arise where I would be unable to attend your birth I am able to call them...IF this is not your situation you could always say...I don't have a back up however I limit my clients so that the issue of missing births due to too many clients is not an issue for me.

MindOverLaborDoulas · 08-09-2006, 09:31 PM

I also keep the deposit! Like I said you still do a lot of work before the birth and postpartum.

doula Michele · 08-09-2006, 09:35 PM

I charge a $50 non refundable deposit to hold their spot, cover costs of prenatal visits etc.

I don't usually collect the remainder of my fee until after the birth. I would not charge if I missed because of my fault.

I tell them I work for/with them to try to give them the birth they want. If that includes epidurals, I make sure they get their epidurals.

Michele

tlcdoula · 08-09-2006, 10:23 PM

If I miss a birth due to my error then they would get half of their money back because the first half of the money goes for prenatal visits and the postpartum (which I would still do).

jesscardona · 08-09-2006, 10:23 PM

Thanks...

dorothyh · 08-09-2006, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesscardona

okay, I need some advice I got an email from a mother asking me a bunch of questions!
one of them is that if for some reason I miss the birth, If I would reimburse the deposit... Do many of you reimburse that if you miss the birth?
and what are my feeling on epidurals??
and if I have a back up doula, (which I don't) but I'm just trying to find the best way to answer!

If I miss the birth because of a quick birth, weather, or not sending a backup if I am not available, then they get their 2nd payment back. Half of my total fee is the deposit and non-refundable. If they never call me or call too late or decide they don't want a back-up, then no refund. I would turn this around and say something like this is why it's important for you to call me when you are in early labor even if you don't need me yet; this way I can be ready to leave right away when you are ready for support. If you have never missed a birth, I would throw tell her that as well.

The epidural question - I would say to her that the epidural, like any intervention, has pros and cons, and I do go over more specific information about epidurals in my prenatal visits. I would tell her that there is certainly a time and a place for it and that it is up to her to determine her need for one. I would then turn it back on her and find out what she is thinking - is she trying to avoid one? Then I talk about the diff things we can do instead for helping her cope with her contractions. Does she think she wants one? THen I talk about how having me there will help her to get farther in her labor than she would otherwise, and that getting the epidural later rather than sooner will lower the risks and side effects.

Kim's answer about having a backup is good - I would go with that.

You might want to talk to the other doulas in your area and see if you can find someone willing to back you up - I really like the peace of mind it gives me to have a steady back-up.

Good luck!!

DL · 08-09-2006, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlcdoula

If I miss a birth due to my error then they would get half of their money back because the first half of the money goes for prenatal visits and the postpartum (which I would still do).

DITTO Michelle (tlcdoula)...and if it's her fault for not calling, etc., no refund.

Epidural.....I make sure she is informed of the benefits and risks and then support her educated decision 100%. It's her birth, not mine.

Backup....I also like Kim's answer.