I am training to be a ppd and just got a call from another doua about possibly providing pp care to a new mom of twins and a three year old. complications from a c-section.

Does anyone have a sample contract that I could look at? What do you bring in your doula bag?

ANY suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

I PM you a copy of my contract.

In my doula bag:
--always a sling (for twins, NoJo or Over The shoulder baby holder works great).
--Water bottle and food for me.
--For twins, I'd bring a feeding/care chart in case they don't already have one.
--Possibly a coloring book/bubbles/play doh etc. for 3 yr. old
--Informational sheets on breastfeeding, etc. as well as my notebook with notes from all tranings and conferences
--Business sheets: invoices, contracts, business cards, etc.

HTH! Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Hi Lori,

Working with twins is not that much different than working with one if you space yourself. you need to get a feel of when the babies need to eat if your feeding them a bottle, so that you can wake one up and feed and then the second one. If mom is breastfeeding you can call her and help her get them both latched on, so that she can feed them at the same time. Then take one at a time to change diaper, swaddle and burp. If both babies cry at the same time I usually will put one in a swing or bouncy seat and the other in my arms and then switch. It just takes practice.
what I bring with me is always my own food although many couples will offer me their refrigerator and often order out dinner for them and for me. I like to have snacks in my bag. I always bring my own water cause I don't like Arrowhead. I make sure to have tampons or pads and an extra pair of underwear just incase. My toothbrush and stuff. I never wear perfume and I use non scented deodorant cause lots of moms are very sensitive to smells. I try to be smell proof.... I always bring my laptop and many times they will hook me up with their wireless internet connection.
I have a calendar book to write down my hours. Many doulas that live in the Los Angeles area where I live charge $35-45 an hour for twins. I am on a twins job now. I worked for this client as her doula when her little girl was born a year and a half ago. I then charged her $20 an hour. I only worked for her for 2 weeks. This time it was going to be long term, until babies were sleeping through the night at around 6-7 months old. I am charging her $22 an hour for the first 8 hours and then $20 for each additional hour each day. The money is steady every week and I am helping them financially as well. I already have so many referrals from them that it has made up for the difference in what I am charging them now. My normal rate for a single baby is $25 but many of my clients that are having their second I am charging $20 an hour. That's just me, I want to be fair and at the same time make a living. I am doing just fine. Hope this helped

If this is Daytime care for a few hours I would not eat.
She is paying for your time and if you are only there 3 - 4 hours there is no reason for you to eat on her time.
If you are only working days a few hours Do not text or talk on your phone while at her house.

I travel very light!
Bring your local resource list with phone numbers for pump rentals, lactation consultants etc. and when you leave keep track of your hours.

• Parent resource list.
• Client Invoice.
• breastfeeding /poo recording chart

I usually collect ask for the check the second visit or if i feel it's not that hectic house the first visit.

I don't use a contract.

I don't routinely use a contract but this is what mine looks like if a client asks for a contract.
You can always adjust contracts as needed for individual clients.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Contract for Postpartum Doula Services

This agreement is between clinet name and my name for the purpose of providing postpartum doula Care.

Responsibilities and Limitations of the Doula

I agree to provide non-medical physical, emotional and informational support after the birth of your baby. I will help with self-care recovery, postpartum comfort measures, infant care, parenting information, and provide assistance with learning to feed and take care of your baby.

Practical support will include preparing simple meals, snacks, laundry, errands, educating and assisting parents with breastfeeding and general newborn care, bathing, diapering, and umbilical cord care, soothing techniques and reading the baby’s feeding and sleeping cues, learning to use a breast pump if needed. The tasks and focus of care provided by the doula each day will depend on the priorities requested or needed by the family.

The postpartum doula does not diagnose any medical conditions for mother or baby, but will refer you to call your health care provider, if she notices anything of concern.

The doula will do laundry, food shopping, errands, tiding up the kitchen and house, but does not do major housecleaning tasks, such as scrubbing bathrooms, mopping floors, washing windows.

If the Postpartum doula has a car, she cannot transport clients in her car.

There are occasionally unforeseen events or unpredictable emergencies that may affect a scheduled visit with your family, In the event of illness or emergencies for either party or severe weather, we can reschedule or have a back up doula work.
Fees for Services

The fee is $45.00 per hour with a minimum booking of 15 hours for $675.00 (can be used daily or over two week’s time from when she begins working with you) you may add additional time with the doula as needed. The doula typically works three to five hours per day with a three-hour minimum per visit. The balance of $375. is due when the doula begins working with you.

A deposit of $300.00 will be due upon agreement of this contract.
This deposit will be applied to the $675.00 (fifteen hours).
Please return this signed copy with the $300. deposit, check made payable to:

In the event that you choose not to utilize doula services the deposit will not be refunded.

Thank you all for your replies. They are always very helpful. I haven't been able to get back with you before today. Computer wasn't working and a bunch of other things. This was more of an emergency situation. Dad was home alone with the toddler and the twins, mom was in the hospital. I didn't have time for anything really. I only charged them $15.00 an hour and was with them for 42 hours. I am so surprised to see how much you all are able to charge (maybe I need to move!) I know of a couple experienced ppd's who are charging $18-$20/hr in our area. It is a fairly new idea in a large city. Hoping that it will catch on along with birth doula's. There are several birth doulas in the area, but still many who want to know what a doula is! We'll keep moving forward though.

Thanks again!