Welcome, Mama— you’re in the right place

First off: congratulations on the journey you’re on. I’m Emily, your integrative maternal support practitioner + postpartum doula, and I’m honored you’re here. You’ve taken a bold step toward getting supported for this next chapter — and I’m so glad we’re doing it together.

This page is your “launch-pad” for working together around birth and arrival. As we prepare for your baby (and life with your baby), I want to ensure that everything is set up clearly so you feel confident, nourished, and seen.

What comes next

1. Contract – Please review and sign your service agreement so we’re fully aligned on scope, schedule, fees, and expectations.

2. Questionnaire / Intake Form – This is your chance to tell me what you need, what you hope for, and what your concerns are. The more honest you are on this form, the more tailored–the support I can offer for you and your birth team.

3. Next steps meeting – Once those are submitted, I’ll schedule our prep conversation (if we haven’t already) where we’ll go over your responses, clarify your desires and hurdles, and pull together your personalized plan.

Agreement for Labor/Birth Maternal
Support Practitioner Services

As your Labor Doula:

• I accompany birthers/families in labor to facilitate a safe and powerful birth experience.

• I provide emotional support, physical comfort, and communication with your healthcare provider to ensure you have the information needed to make informed decisions in labor.

• I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning, and other techniques for comfort.

• I can be a constant for a birthing couple in a time of ever-changing hospital shifts and alternating provider schedules.

• I work for you, not your health care provider or hospital.

As your Labor Doula, I will not:

• Perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure, fetal assessments, vaginal exams, etc.

• Make decisions for you. Instead, I will help you gather the necessary information to make an informed decision.

• Speak to the staff on your behalf regarding healthcare decisions. I will, however, discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you or your partner will speak directly to the clinical staff.

• Transport clients in my vehicle(s), no matter the circumstance.

• Replace your spouse/birth partner; instead, I work with them. A doula knows pregnancy, labor, and birth, and the partner knows the birther — it’s a perfect team.

Prenatal meeting:

I will meet with you and your partner at approximately 30 weeks and at approximately 36 weeks into your pregnancy. These meetings will be approximately 2-2.5 hours and will cover such issues as:

• Discussion of or assistance in creating your birth plan

• Your knowledge of the birth process

• Your feelings on pain medications

• Pain management techniques

• Labor and birth positions

• Breathing

• An ideal labor and birth environment and experience

• www.ez-wellness.com 314-322-2330

• Breastfeeding

• Baby Care

Late Pregnancy:

Once I enter the on-call period (37-42 weeks), I encourage clients to check in every few days to advise me via phone or email on how they are doing. During the on-call period, I am committed to being within 30 miles of Saint Louis at all times unless previously discussed with you and covered by your backup doula. If I need to turn off my phone, I will give you advance notice before this happens and will check my voicemail at least every 1-2 hours.

When you think you are in Labor:

Please call, even if you do not feel like you need support at that time; I can answer questions or make suggestions over the phone. I will usually need 90 minutes to get to you from the time you request my presence. We can also decide where we should meet (at your home or the hospital). Except for extraordinary circumstances, I will remain with you throughout your labor and birth.

If there is a false alarm and I have been called to the hospital, there will be a charge of $50 (due at the time of occurrence). THIS CAN USUALLY BE AVOIDED WITH PHONE CONTACT, A VISIT TO YOUR DOCTOR'S OFFICE, OR A CALL TO TRIAGE.

During your Labor and Delivery:

I will provide continual physical, emotional, & informational support during labor and birth.

I will be with you from the onset of active labor until 1-2 hours after the birth. I may require short, infrequent breaks if the labor is longer than 3 hours, but I will never leave you alone without at least one member of your support team.

If support is needed for more than 24 hours, I will call in your backup doula (an extra fee of $25/hour may be charged). I reserve the right to be relieved by your backup doula if I am ill or for any reason that I am unable to support you during your labor properly.

After the Birth:

I will remain with you for one to two hours after birth until you are comfortable and ready for quiet time with your family.

Surgical Birth:

Scheduling a surgical birth does not nullify this contract.

In the case of a scheduled surgical birth that is medically indicated and where I cannot be present in the Operating Room, immediate lactation and family support are offered for up to 90 minutes. In the case of a medically indicated surgical birth, a 3rd meeting will be scheduled for preparation & planning for the upcoming birth.

Failure to Provide Services:

I will make every effort to provide the service described in this agreement. Sometimes this is impossible. If I am unavailable to attend your labor and unable to provide a backup doula, I will refund your balance minus a $200 retainer fee. If it is due to your failure to call me, I will keep the agreed-upon full fee for the service. If my inability to provide service is due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control (for example, natural or catastrophic events or extremely rapid labor), I will refund $200 and offer 10 hours of postpartum support.

Cancellation of Contract:

If you choose to cancel this contract, you may do so at any point before you reach 34 weeks pregnant. Cancelling before 34 weeks means I will keep a $200 retainer as well as $75 for each prenatal visit we've already had. I will return whatever balance remains. If you choose to cancel the contract after you reach 34 weeks of gestation, there will be no refunds, and I will keep the agreed-upon full fee for service.

Emergency Delivery:

In some circumstances, labor progresses more quickly than anticipated. Call me to advise that your labor has progressed very quickly and delivery is imminent, or that your baby has been born unexpectedly at home. I will call an ambulance and arrange for you to be transferred to the hospital. If your baby arrives unexpectedly at home with me present, you or your partner will be responsible for the delivery of your baby. I will take whatever measures I am capable of to attempt to keep you and the baby safe and comfortable until EMS arrives.

Fees:

• The fees for the services described above are $1200, to be paid in full before or during our first prenatal meeting.

• Payments can be made via check, Healthie app, cash, Venmo, or Credit Card via PayPal.

• Non-sufficient funds payments will be subject to a $100 administration surcharge.

This agreement is meant to be fair to both parties so that all parties may feel secure in their mutual commitment. You agree to pay for the services described above by signing this contract. In return, the doula, Emily Zwilling, commits to providing these services. It is understood that neither of my representatives is to be held responsible or liable for any undesirable or unexpected outcome resulting from birth doula support. Should a disagreement occur, the undersigned agrees to resolve issues amicably, excluding your name and its representatives from any penalty or fault.

The signatures below indicate the client understands and agrees to the content and terms herein.