Doula contracts - what's reasonable?

[Settlersofcatan]

I've been talking to some potential doulas - mostly because it is likely that my DH will not be able to be with me for the whole of my labour because of our 2 year old (we don't have family who are used to looking after him so I think my DH will need to go back home at points to see him).

The doula that we preferred has what I think is a bit of a ridiculous contract. In the eventuality that she doesn't attend the birth due to her misjudgement (e.g. she doesn't think labour is progressing that rapidly and thus doesn't come) or her unavailability (e.g. her childcare falls through), we'd still be liable for 60% of the full fee.

I queried this with her and she said it's because she would have done the antenatal sessions, would still do the postnatal session and (this is the bit I think is most ridiculous) been on call for the birth. Surely it's a bit crazy for me to be paying the partial fee for her on call time in the eventuality that she is unavailable because that's the whole point of being on call?!? The whole point of the antenatal sessions for me is to make sure that she is on the same page as us about what we do and don't want during labour/birth so I wouldn't feel like I had really got much from them if she were unavailable.

The fact that she's unwilling to change the contract puts me off but maybe that's just the way doulas work? Any experience or advice welcome!

I contacted the other doula that I liked and her contract is similar but the proportions are a bit better - it's 50% of the fee in this eventuality and her rate is considerably lower anyway so the amount in question is quite a lot lower. I think I'm tempted to go with her instead.

I'd talk to her about what it actually means in practical terms. What is the likelihood of childcare arrangements falling through? How quickly would she come during labour?

I can see how doulas need predictable income and if someone has a baby in one hour at home before they have the chance to get there, it's pretty hard for the doula to earn nothing having kept the time free. They'll still be providing benefit through pre- and post-natal services.

Re the childcare - I think some doulas have links with other local doulas and say they'll try to provide a substitute if they can't make it. Is it worth asking about that?

I suppose at the end of the day it all comes down to whether you trust her!

I have no experience with doulas but the difference between 50% and 60% doesn't seem that great to me. Obviously the amount will be very different if their fee is very different - but it feels like the principle is broadly the same.

So I guess in your shoes I'd weigh up how much I preferred the first one against how much I preferred the second fee!

I am happy for unforeseen issues like rapid birth to be on me because that's not in her control but it doesn't feel right for issues where she has misjudged things or not been available to be mostly on me. The lack of interest in negotiating on it has made me feel less confident - if she had full confidence in her judgment and arrangements, I would have thought she would agree to a lower % in that eventuality.

The pre and post natal services aren't that important to me - I really want someone with me throughout labour and birth, that's the crucial thing (for me).

I liked doula 2 actually more but she has a lot less experience which is why she charges less.

(Disclaimer - I've never used a doula) I would go with whomever you feel most comfortable with. Doulas do not act in a medical capacity, they are purely to provide emotional and physical support to the labouring woman, so I'm not sure how much 'experience' they really need, tbh. Far more important is how you feel with them around you, and if that feels better with the less experienced, cheaper one, I'd say that's a Win-Win!

My doula - in the unlikely event she can’t make a birth - has a back up team of doulas that would be rung around to make sure someone made the birth. Does yours have provisions such as this?
Also as per PP how likely is it that she couldn’t attend? Has it ever happened?- she could tell you this.
I’m paying 50% for the antenatal and postnatal appointments and 50% for the birth.