Our Standard of Care Practices
Each doula listed has agreed to the following as a minimum standard of care.
Prenatal Care
We will provide at least 3 prenatal visits, which will include, but is not limited to, the following:
Establishing a relationship with the mother and family.
Education in choices in childbirth (setting, attendants, interventions, ect.)
Parent's responsibility for birth.
Breastfeeding education.
Planning for the postpartum period.
Referral to other support providers when necessary (classes, support groups, midwives, doctors, counselors, etc.)
Discussion of general well-being and health of mother and family unit.
Meeting the other birth attendants when possible.
Birth Care
We believe in continuous labor support. This means Birth Support Providers must agree to:
Be on call during the "birth month" and must have back-up available if necessary.
Be with laboring mothers at home and in the planned place of birth.
Be committed to guiding women and families throughout the process of birth and must have the required flexibility and support in their own lives to provide this level of commitment.
Postpartum Care
We will provide postpartum support which will include the following:
- Immediate postpartum support in the birth setting (getting family settled, help with initial breastfeeding, ensuring parental wishes for baby care are being respected, etc.)
- At least 2 follow-up visits in the family's home.
- Referral to other support providers when necessary.
- Available for phone consultations for at least six weeks postpartum.