Doula Interview Packet

About Vanessa

I am an artist, activist, and educator, having worked for
over a decade in public health and health education.
My work has taken me all over the country presenting
at national and international conferences, organizing
advocacy events, and educating adolescents, women,
and LGBTQ/non-binary communities about sexual
and reproductive health, childbirth, and social justice.
I also worked within the hospital setting to educate
medical providers on best practices for providing
empowering, culturally sensitive, evidence-based care
to their patients. With my passion and background as
a health advocate and educator, I have transferred
this experience to my work as a doula care provider
to focus specifically on the needs of birthing people,
as I believe an empowered society truly starts with
empowered birth!

I​ have been long acquainted with the community of
birth workers known as doulas. I become personally
acquainted with the transformative support that doulas
provide when I myself gave birth to my first baby in
2015. I employed a doula for the births of both of my
children, and have experienced firsthand the enormous
difference a doula’s presence can make, inspiring me
to finally pursue certification as a birth doula.

​As a mother of two babies and having experienced two very different pregnancies and labors, having a doula
by my side supported me in creating a birth experience that was enormously empowering and transformative.
It is my goal to work with birthing people, their partners and families to achieve a birth experience that
is not only healthy and safe, but also JOYFUL. It is not just through continuous and compassionate labor
support that I believe this is possible for people… it’s also through providing them with information about
their options, education about their rights, supporting them with tools to confidently advocate for themselves
and the birth experience they desire, and being their cheerleader through every stage of the process. I bring
not only a wealth of information and experience to my clients, but also joy, laughter, honesty, intuition, and
reverence.

I was trained in April 2017 as a Birth Doula by the Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association
(CAPPA), and completed my coursework, becoming a CAPPA Cerified Labor Doula in April 2019. Since
officially launching my business in January 2018, I have been blessed to be invited to births almost every
month, and I have loved every minute! I also received training from Birth Arts International as a Postpartum
Doula (May 2018) and a Childbirth Educator (August 2018). Additionally, I am a Certified Lactation
Counselor, certified through the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice (November 2018). I have specific
experience with and prioritize the unique needs of birthing people of color, LGBTQ/non-binary folks, and
am trained in providing trauma-informed care. I’d love to sit and talk with you about your goals and dreams
for your birth and how we can work together to bring your baby into the world with love and joy!
​

nine moons doula care

Joyful Birth Package

Investment is $850 and is all-inclusive of the following:

1. Unlimited phone and email support throughout your pregnancy from the
date of hire. I am available to answer questions, provide encouragement
and affirmation, as well as additional information and resources regarding
your pregnancy, physical discomforts and advice on how to deal with
them, clarifications on conversations you have with your caregiver,
recommendations on what to discuss with your caregiver, or any other
concerns you may have regarding your pregnancy and childbirth.

2. 1-2 in-home prenatal visits: I will come to your home to meet with you
and help you prepare for childbirth. These meetings are tailored to your
particular needs and interests and can include:
• discussing your hopes and fears for your birth
• basic childbirth education (process of labor, how to tell when you are

in labor, physiological components of labor process, coping with early
labor, etc.)
• assisting you with developing a birth plan
• informed consent and decision making for an empowered birth
• overview of comfort measures during labor with hands on practice

3. Continuous labor support from the onset of active labor
• I will meet you either at home or at your place of birth, at your request
• Prior to meeting you, I will be available via phone to provide advice/

support on comfort measures, labor progress, and encouragement
• I am on call 24/7 to be available to come to you at any time once labor

has been established starting at 38 weeks
• Application of comfort measures throughout labor, which can include

verbal support, maintaining of calming ambiance to support labor
progress, massage, counter pressure, movement, sound/intonation,
music, application of water, and more. I can also support birth partner in
applying some of these techniques.

4. 1-2 Hours Postpartum support: After the birth of the baby, I will stay with you
during your “Golden Hour” to provide support with:
• establishing skin-to-skin
• first latch and ensuring breastfeeding is established (if breastfeeding)
• photo documentation, if requested
• answering any questions related to immediate newborn care
• remind you of your birth preferences regarding postpartum and newborn

medical treatment

5. Postpartum Visit: I will contact you the day after you deliver to check on you,
and at least once during your first week home to provide advice and support
during your transition home. During your postpartum follow-up visit, we will have
an opportunity to debrief your birth experience and I can provide a final healing
assessment and additional resources for postpartum healing, breastfeeding, and
newborn care, with referrals as needed. Each family also recieves a very special
gift as a thank you for inviting me to your birth.

Additional Services:

Postpartum Healing Package ($65): A collection of healing products and gifts
curated personally to your specific healing needs sent to your home.

Postpartum Care ($30/hour): I am available to support a joyful and
peaceful transition in bringing home your new baby, for you and your family.
Postpartum care includes meal preparation with a focus on postpartum
nutrition, breastfeeding assistance, support with newborn care, light cleaning,
companionship, and more in-depth and personal postpartum healing support.
Evening and weekend availability only; postpartum care is available in 4-hour
shifts only.

Personalized stamped jewelry with your baby’s name, birth date, and birth
weight. Contact me for quote.

Personalized Lactation Counseling: Contact me for services and pricing.

My husband and I chose a natural water birth, and without
Vanessa I’m not quite sure I would have made it through those
contractions without an epidural. Vanessa was attentive, supportive
and flexible. She massaged me, brought my fave essential oils, a
fan to cool me off during those beautiful sweaty moments, and a
medicine ball. She was extremely knowledgeable and ensured that
my birthing plan was adhered to every step of the way. Thanks
again for being nothing short of phenomenal!

Cassandra

P: 856.905.6614 | [email protected] | www.9moonsdoula.com

Testimonials

To discuss my experience with Vanessa,
she was nothing short of amazing. My
husband and I chose a natural water
birth, and without Vanessa I’m not quite
sure I would have made it through
those contractions without an epidural.
Vanessa was attentive, supportive and
flexible. She massaged me, brought my
fave essential oils, a fan to cool me off
during those beautiful sweaty moments,
and a medicine ball. She was extremely
knowledgeable and ensured that my
birthing plan was adhered to every step of the way. Thanks again for
being nothing short of phenomenal!

Cassandra + Baby Parker

My doula search began late in my
pregnancy. After many stressful days of
searching for a Doula, I came across
Vanessa’s website. When visiting Vanessa’s
site I felt a warmth as I clicked through the
site. I was certain that I would get turned
away as a mother midway through her third
trimester but I was pleasantly surprised. My
husband and I had a wonderful experience
with our doula. She is knowledgeable,
accommodating, comforting, warm, and
prompt.

When providing information she always
made sure we understood it thoroughly. She always has made herself available
answering many questions via email, text, visits and phone calls . I owe the
beautiful birth experience my husband and I had to the coping techniques and
comfort measures that Vanessa walked us through. Her presence in the delivery
room was a comfort to us both and we are forever grateful to Nine Moons
Doula Care.

Cawana + Baby Mikaila

“My wife and I ended up having
to search for a new doula mid-
way through my pregnancy, due to
our previous doula having a family
emergency. I was really stressed out
about it because I was specifically
looking for a doula who would be
attuned to my trauma history. We
also really wanted a doula who
had experience with LGBT families.
After lots of searching, we set up
appointments with two doulas. We
met with Vanessa first and ended
up feeling an immediate connection
with her-truly, she ended up being the
perfect doula for us! She is vivacious
and has a wonderful sense of humor
(something that was really important
to both my wife and I) but she’s
also incredibly grounded and allayed the fears and concerns we had,
especially since I had previously miscarried at 13 weeks.

The prenatal visit was amazing and left us feeling well prepared for
birth. We had so much fun but also talked about really specific fears
and desires. One of my favorite things about Vanessa is that she is
very flexible and supportive and does a great job provided objective
information. For example, we were really on the fence about circumcision
and she helped us arrive at the best decision for us. She also helped
me a lot with preparing for birth with pain management techniques.
Throughout my actual labor, she was a solid presence who also laughed
and danced with us as I labored on an exercise ball. My labor ended
up being fairly long and she was there for both of us every step of
the way. At one point, my wife was massaging me and Vanessa was
massaging my wife! I ended up having some interventions that we had
hoped to avoid but Vanessa helped me keep pushing and have the
unmedicated vaginal birth I had hoped for. She also helped both of us
stay grounded in what was ultimately a hectic and stressful environment.
I remember looking at her while there was lots of shouting and ruckus
in the room and she kept me so present and focused on what I needed
to do. Truly, I can’t say enough positive things about Vanessa. After the
birth, while we were soaking up the experience, we just kept saying
“We couldn’t have done this without Vanessa!”

-Nicole + Baby Zev

CAPPA Scope of Practice


The Certified Labor Doula

CAPPA Labor Doulas fill an important role in providing emotional, physical, and evidence-based,
informational support to the birthing woman and her family before, during, and after birth.

How CAPPA Labor Doulas work with families

The Labor Doula works with families during pregnancy, during labor and in the birth process, and
in the immediate postpartum time, offering support, encouragement, information, comfort, and
referrals as needed. Labor Doulas can be found working in the community in private practice, in
cooperatives, as part of groups or agencies, as well as serving in various community programs.

How CAPPA Labor Doulas work within the healthcare system

Labor Doulas are skilled support persons who act as consultants and resources, not clinicians.
They therefore work with the healthcare system by encouraging and promoting excellent
communication between the birthing woman and the health care team, encouraging informed
decision making and self-advocacy, supporting the choices of the birthing woman, providing non-
clinical comfort techniques, and offering appropriate referrals when their observance or
counseling uncovers situations that require healthcare attention or support.

Clinical Limitations of CAPPA Labor Doulas

CAPPA Labor Doulas are non-clinical professionals. CAPPA Labor Doula courses do not qualify
a professional to act as a midwife or midwifery assistant, as any alternative medicine provider, or
as any medical care provider. Labor Doulas do not diagnose medical conditions, perform clinical
procedures, prescribe or administer treatment for medical conditions, make medical decisions for
the birthing woman, or direct families to act against medical advice.

CAPPA does not train its certified professionals to prescribe, perform, or provide
complementary/alternative therapies including, but not limited to, essential oils, placenta
medicine, herbal treatments, etc. CAPPA professionals do not prescribe, perform, or provide
alternative/complimentary therapies as part of their role as a CAPPA certified professional. Those
who are trained, certified, licensed, or a recipient of a degree in these therapies are required to
present these services as separate from their role as a CAPPA certified professional.

CAPPA Standards

CAPPA Labor Doulas work within CAPPA’s standards of practice to uphold the following
(available to read as individual documents): code of conduct, a grievance policy, mission
statement, vision statement, organization philosophy, and social media policy. CAPPA Labor
Doulas use current evidence-based knowledge information in their practice. They maintain their
knowledge and skills through continuing education. They work within the legal framework of their
individual community and region.

CAPPA Labor Doulas:

Provide non-biased emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy,
labor and the birth process, and the immediate postpartum period

Work closely with the birthing woman and her family as she explores her values and
needs surrounding birth

Encourage the birthing woman to seek care and a place of birth that reflects her values
and needs

Assist in the preparation of birth preferences to facilitate communication with the birth
team

Model, teach, and encourage effective communication

Encourage informed decision making

Provide information on birth options and resources

Provide the woman with non-medical comfort techniques for labor, such as positions and
movement, comforting touch, visualization, breathing techniques, and affirmation

Seek to foster a cooperative, respectful, and positive atmosphere with the birth team

Provide support to the birthing woman’s partner or family

Support and assist initial breastfeeding

Assist the mother in processing her birth experience

Answer general questions about newborn care and breastfeeding

Refer to healthcare professionals when support requires clinical assessment, a need for
prescription, or medical diagnosis

Who are trained, certified, licensed, or a recipient of a degree in
alternative/complimentary therapies including, but not limited to, essential oils, placenta
medicine, herbal treatments, etc. are required to present these services as separate from
the role of a CAPPA certified professional

The CAPPA Labor Doula is not a clinician and therefore does not:

Diagnose medical conditions

Perform clinical procedures

Interpret medical diagnoses or clinical results

Prescribe or administer treatment of medical conditions

Make decisions for the birthing woman

Speak for the birthing woman

Attend births that are intentionally unassisted by qualified medical professionals

Transport any family members

Prescribe, perform, or provide alternative/complimentary therapies including, but
not limited to, essential oils, placenta medicine, herbal treatments, etc. as part of the role of a
CAPPA certified professional

Evidence on: Doulas

By Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN, APRN of EvidenceBasedBirth.com

Question: What is a doula? or be admitted to a NICU. In these studies, the best results
Answer: A birth doula is a companion who provides people occurred when the continuous support was provided by a
trained doula—someone who was not a staff member at the
with continuous support during labor and birth. hospital and not part of the birthing person’s social network.

Question: What does doula support look like? Question: How can doulas work with partners?
Answer: Physical support from a doula includes the use of Answer: Ideally, doulas and the birth partner (i.e. spouse,

massage, pressure, and soothing touch. Doulas create a calm partner, family member) work together to improve the
environment, assist with water therapy, and help keep you mother’s birth. Studies have shown that the most positive
nourished with ice chips, food, and drinks. birth experiences for fathers/partners are ones where they
Emotional support from doulas helps people feel a sense have continuous support from a doula or midwife. In one
of pride and empowerment after the birth. Examples of important randomized trial, adding a doula to a supportive
emotional support include encouragement and praise, helping partner reduced Cesarean rates from 25% down to 13%. These
you see your situation more positively, keeping you company, differences were even more apparent with a labor induction.
showing that they care for you, and helping you debrief after When labor was induced, the Cesarean rate was 59% with a
the birth. partner alone, and 13% when partners worked together with
Doulas can also support you with information during doulas.
pregnancy and birth. For example, they can guide you and
your partner through labor and suggest techniques like Question: What’s the bottom line?
breathing, relaxation, movement, and changing positions. Answer: Of all the ways birth outcomes could be improved,
Doulas help you find evidence-based information about your
options, and they can help explain medical procedures. continuous labor support seems like one of the most
As far as advocacy goes, most doulas will not speak on your important and basic needs for birthing people. Research has
behalf. However, doulas should support you in your right to shown that labor support from doulas is both risk-free and
make decisions about your body and your baby. They will also highly effective.
use advocacy techniques such as encouraging you to ask
questions and speak up for what you want. Doulas can also Disclaimer & Copyright:
enhance communication between parents and providers. This information does not substitute for a care
provider-patient relationship and should not be relied
Question: What is the evidence on doulas? on as personal medical advice. Any information should
Answer: There have been 26 randomized trials that tested not be acted upon without professional input from
one’s own healthcare provider. © 2017. All rights
the effects of continuous labor support on more than 15,000 reserved. Evidence Based Birth® is a registered
people giving birth. Overall, people who receive continuous trademark. Permission is granted to reproduce this
support are more likely to have a normal vaginal birth and handout in print with complete credit given to the
less likely to have pain medication, negative feelings about author. Handouts may be distributed freely in print but
childbirth, and Cesareans. In addition, their labors are shorter not sold. This PDF may not be posted online.
and their babies are less likely to have complications at birth

Doulas should be viewed as a valuable, evidence-based member of the
birth care team.”

1. Bohren, M.A., Hofmeyr, G., Sakala, C., et al. (2017). “Continuous support for women during childbirth.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 7.
Art. No.: CD003766.

2. Johansson, M., Fenwick, J., & Premberg, A. (2015). “A meta-synthesis of fathers’ experiences of their partner’s labour and the birth of their baby.” Midwifery
31(1): 9-18.

3. Jordan, C. (2013). “Therapeutic presence and continuous labor support.” In Best Practices in Midwifery, Ed. by Anderson, B. A. & Stone, Sjourna. E.

4. McGrath, S. K. and Kennell, J. H. (2008). “A randomized controlled trial of continuous labor support for middle-class couples: effect on Cesarean delivery rates”. Birth 2008;
25:3.

5. Morton, C. H. and Clift, E. G. (2014). Birth Ambassadors. Texas: Praeclarus Press.

For more information visit EvidenceBasedBirth.com/Doulas /evidencebasedbirth @BirthEvidence

Birth doulas are speci cally trained and experienced to o er pregnant people physical, emotional,
and educational support before, during, and after childbirth. Just at home? Nope! Your doula can
support you at home, in a birth center, or a hospital. That said, doulas do not provide medical
support. That work is still for your midwife or OBGYN to do!

Adds to Your Education There from Start to Baby

Should you still take a childbirth education class While OBGYNs, nurses, and midwives may need
if you have a doula? Yes! Your doula can help you to go in and out of your birth space to check on
understand things your class covered brie y, and other patients or prepare materials for your next
in a way that’s personalized to your experience. stage of labor, your doula’s role is to remain by
your side for as long as you want them to be.
Equips Partner to Support You
Creates Space for Your Voice
A doula’s role is not to replace an involved partner.
Doulas support partners as they process their own Your doula will know what you did and did not
fears, hopes, and questions about labor and birth, want as a part of your birth space and plan, so
o er partners helpful advice on practical ways to if something begins to stray, and you’re in the
support the birthing parent, and are an extra set middle of laboring, they can bring your birth
of hands during labor to multiply that support. team’s attention back to you, and make room
for you to voice your choices.
The Magic Bringer of Things
Knows All the Right Spots
Your doula likely has a bag to bring to your birth
like you will, too. Inside it? Maybe honey sticks, Doulas are trained to know the best positions
oils, massage tools, hair clips, or more. You may for birthing people at di erent points in labor,
be surprised by just how magical it feels when how and where to apply pressure to relieve
your doula brings you a cool washcloth for your pain, and other comfort measures, too.
head or neck, or water with a straw!
Your doula will squeeze your hips, press your
lower back, hold your hands, breathe with you,
moan with you, tell you you’re amazing, strong,
and capable of birthing your baby into the earth
— while standing up, on hands and knees, lying
on your side — whatever you need and
whenever you need it.

Find the Right Doula For You

The right doula for one person may not be
the right doula for you. Consider what
personality, abilities, and skills
you want your doula to have
and start looking around!
Interview several doulas
in your area to nd the
one who ts best with
you and your family.

Information in this infographic comes from:
Evidence on: Doulas (www.evidencebasedbirth.com); Having A Doula: Is A Doula For Me? (www.americanpregnancy.org); Birth Doula: Everything You Need To Know About This Birthing Angel (www.mamanatural.com);
8 Moments During Birth When Your Doula Is The Greatest Person In The World (www.romper.com); The Doula and the Partner: How They Work Together to Help the Birthing Woman by Penny Simkin, P.T. (www.warnerwellness.com)

Knows Birthing Parent Best Knows Birth Best

Partner, you’ve been in the birthing parent’s Doulas enter into your birth space with
life far longer than your doula. You can read speci c training and insight to o er about
their face, body language and understand the labor process. Your doula will be able to
the meaning behind the things they say out assure you when labor gets challenging,
loud in ways few others can! You are the answer questions medical sta may not have
most highly trained and experienced person time to, and encourage you in what support
in the room to tend to your partner. is most helpful at what stages.

Approaches with Intimacy Engages from Experience

No one can replace or replicate the level of While this birth may be the partner’s rst, it
care that you have for your birthing partner it may be one of dozens for the doula! Your
or the baby coming into the world. Your doula has a folder in their mind full of tips
touch, voice, and words will resonate, and if and tricks they’ve picked up from other
your partner wants some physical intimacy births, and they can use those tips and tricks
during labor, that’s all you! for both parents’ bene t.

Does Same Tasks Uniquely Switches In/Out as Needed

For the most part, anything your doula can Even the most involved partner may want a
do partners can do too! Having a doula moment to rest, need a bathroom break, or
squeeze the birthing parents’ hips may feel a bite to eat during labor. With a doula, you
di erent than having their partner do it. Just can be sure the counter pressure train
think, how much more does any gift mean doesn’t stop! The birthing parents’ needs
when it comes from the person you love? and comfort do not have to lapse.

Living Their Moment Advocate’s Perspective

Who’s going to raise this new baby with the Though your doula cares about you and your
birthing parent? Who’s going to tell the birth family very much, their view of your birth
story to this new baby when they’re older? space won’t be as emotionally guided. They
Who’s going to carry this memory closest to can keep a critical, attentive eye on what’s
their heart? You partner! So live it with your happening in the room and with the birthing
partner fully! parent, and help protect your birth goals.

nine moons doula care

Hiring Agreement

As a Doula, I accompany people in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience. I am a
non-clinical provider who will draw upon my knowledge and experience to provide emotional support,
physical comfort and communication with your health care 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 will support you to my fullest in facilitating the kind of birth you have envisioned
for yourself and your family. I am independently self-employed. As your doula, I am working for you, not
your caregiver or hospital/birth center.

During your pregnancy, I will meet with you at least once during the pregnancy to gather an
understanding of your desires for your birth experience. If time-of-hire permits (prior to 26 weeks), face to
face prenatal visits will be offered for no additional fees at 28 and 36 weeks. It is the responsibility of the
client to schedule these visits, allowing a minimum of two weeks advance notice. Appointments can be
made via phone, text, or email. Appointment dates and times are subject to change, based on birthing
times of other clients. During our visits, I will want to become familiar with your plans for labor, birth
and postpartum. We will discuss when to call during labor, and what to expect when we arrive at the
hospital. I will also want to know your own best ways of coping with pain and fatigue and how you and
your partner foresee working together. We will also review your plans for postpartum and basic newborn
care. In between visits I will be available by telephone or by email to answer any questions or concerns.
Starting at 38 weeks until the time of birth, I will be on-call for you 24/7.

As a doula, I do not perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressures, fetal assessments, vaginal exams,
etc. I am present to provide for your physical comfort, emotional support and advocacy. I also will not
make decisions for you or your partner, speak on your behalf to others, or speak to others instead of you
regarding matters where decisions are being made. I will help you get the information necessary to make
an informed decision.

When you are in labor, I prefer that you call me (no text or email) when you think you are in labor,
even if you do not yet need me. I can answer questions and make suggestions over the phone. We will
decide at this time whether I should come to you right then or wait for further change. We will also decide
together where to meet--at your home, the birth center, or the hospital. In the case of a long early labor, or
an induction, I can check in periodically and come when you are moving into active labor. I usually need
at least an hour to an hour and a half to get to you from the time you request my presence. Except for
extraordinary circumstances, I will remain with you throughout your labor and birth.

After birth, I usually remain with you for one to two hours, unless you are comfortable and your family is
ready for private time together. I can also assist you with breastfeeding, if necessary. I am available for
phone contact to answer any questions you may have. I will call at least once after the birth. An in-home
postpartum visit is available up to 6 weeks post-birth, if desired, to see how you are doing, to review the
birth, to admire your baby, and to get feedback from you about my role. It is the responsibility of the client
to call and schedule this visit. I will also provide you with documentation to assist in filing for insurance
reimbursement, if requested. Please allow up to one week for these documents to be completed.

Responsibilities of the Client
You are responsible to inform your caregiver that a doula will be present at your birth. You are
responsible for keeping me informed of the details of your pregnancy and conversations with your
provider. When you suspect that you are in labor, you are responsible for notifying me immediately by
phone (no text or email) so I can make any personal arrangements (i.e. childcare). It is your decision as
to when you would like me to meet you in labor. You are responsible for understanding the policies of
your care provider or birthing location and make any accommodations necessary for me to attend your
birth. If your medical care provider or the policies at your birthing location prevent me from providing
services, my fee is still due in full. If hospital policy prevents me from being with you during a cesarean
birth, I will still provide immediate postpartum support, and my fee is due in full. I recommend you discuss
your plans for doula support with your provider before the birth.

My fees for these services as described is $850. A $425 retainer fee is due when you select me as
your doula. The balance is due prior to the “on call” time (38 weeks). Failure to pay in full may result in
my not being available to attend your birth. Any modifications to this fee and payment schedule will be
outlined in writing. I will refund partial fees only in the event that I fail to be available. If you go into labor
before 38 weeks, or if you are admitted to the hospital before your due time, please still call me. I will
make every effort to attend your birth however I may not be available.

In the event I am unable to attend your birth due to illness, I am with another mother who is in labor,
or unforeseen circumstances, I will provide an experienced doula to attend your birth in my place. If I or
another doula are unable to attend your birth, and this is due to my error there will be no charge for my
services and I will refund the retaining fee. I will make every effort to provide the services described in this
agreement, however, sometimes this is impossible (ie, a rapid labor and birth, natural disaster, dangerous
driving conditions). If failure to attend your birth is beyond anyone’s control, our agreement stands as is.
If I am not called for the birth, the fees will not be refunded, as I may have turned away other clients for
your space to be reserved. If the client chooses to cancel service before 37 weeks, all but the retaining
fee will be returned. After 37 weeks, there is no refund for cancellation.

Cesarean Section is not a surgery that we anticipate happening at the time of hire. In the event you
have a cesarean section, planned or emergency, all fees remain the same. I will stay and offer as
much support as the medical staff will allow. It is up to you to secure my place in the operating room. If
scheduled, I will meet you at the hospital at your scheduled time. I will accompany you in the operating
room if allowed by medical staff, and offer emotional support and breastfeeding support after the birth.
If for some reason I am not allowed to be present in the operating room (emergency, policy, etc.), I
will join you after the birth in the recovery area or in your postpartum room to provide emotional and
breastfeeding support after the birth.

Payment: After reciept of contract, I will invoice you based on an our agreed payment schedule. Payment
may be made electronically via the invoice. Checks may be made payable to Nine Moons Doula Care,
LLC and mailed to 44 Whitebirch Court Lumberton, NJ 08048.

I/We, the undersigned, agree to the terms and conditions stated above and I fully understand the
responsibilities of the doula as well as my own.

Birthing Person’s Name (Print) Birthing Person’s Signature Date

Partner’s Name Partner’s Signature Date

Due Date Doula’s Signature Date
P: 856.905.6614 | [email protected] | www.9moonsdoula.com

Sample Prenatal Meeting 1

1:50pm
Arrive, Greetings, and Settling In/Setup, questionnaires

2:00-2:10
Ice Breaker: Hopes and Fears around birth (10 mins)

2:10 - 2:40
Review Stages of Labor… short review since you already had childbirth edu class… any
questions you might have about the process of labor (30 mins)

● Signs of Labor and when to call me (5 mins)
● Stages of Labor Early Labor, Active Labor, Transition, Delivery - plus what you can do in

each stage, how to encourage labor progress (10 mins)
● Addressing PAIN: Fear/Tension/Pain Cycle, mental readiness, coping methods (15

mins)

2:40 - 3:10
Comfort Measures (30 mins)

● Comfort Measures for Early Labor
● Comfort Measures for Active Labor

3:10 - 3:40
Birth Vision/Birth Plan (30 mins)

● Why a Vision vs. a Plan
● Share birth vision template
● Birth Plan Card Sorting Activity and Discuss options

3:40-4:00
Self/ Partner Advocacy in a Hospital Setting (20 mins)

● What are your current expectations of hospital birth?
● Review Informed Consent
● Your Rights
● Share B.R.A.I.N. decision making tool
● 1 or 2 scenarios using B.R.A.I.N tool, if necessary

4:00-4:05
Closing (5 mins)
Pregnancy & Birth Affirmations

Homework:​ Postpartum Workbook!
Suggestions for an optional second prenatal meeting:​ Breastfeeding 101, more in-depth on
hospital procedures, newborn care/ coming home/postpartum, finalize birth vision (birth plan)

Sample Prenatal Meeting 2

10:50-11
Arrive, Greetings, and Settling In/Setup

11:00-11:20
Check In… Questions about anything since last visit? Touch base on maternity leave process
(20 mins)

11:20-12:00
Breastfeeding 101 (40 mins)

● Breastfeeding Myths
● Latch
● Watch Videos:

http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/baby-led_attachment_video.html/context/1645
● Common Challenges: Engorgement, clogged ducts, mastitis, breast refusal/ nipple

confusion
● Pumping - going back to work
● Bottle feeding and pace feeding

12:00 - 12:40
What to Expect at the Hospital (40 mins)

● Process
○ Checkin In - Triage - labor and delivery
○ Initial check and monitoring
○ Nurse will be your best friend (hopefully). Shift changes.
○ Walking around, tub, shower, birth ball, peanut ball, ambience
○ Once fully dilated: environment changes… getting ready for baby → doc takes
centerstage
○ Birth of baby → ADVOCATE (skin to skin, delayed newborn
monitoring/care/weighing, take advantage of “alert phase”)
○ Baby Procedures: APGAR, Weigh/length, wiping (not necessary), chord
clamping, eye drops, warmth and wrapping (skin to skin is best). Everything but
weight measurement can be done in mom’s arms.
○ Mom Procedures: delivery of placenta (skin to skin helps), stitches, clean up, new
linens
○ Transfer to Mom and Baby Room (newborn at bedside)

● Common Procedures/ Policies
○ IV/Hep Lock
○ Monitoring
○ Pain Medication
○ Rushing Labor and “Failure to Progress”
○ Induction

○ Eating/Drinking
● Review Informed Consent
● Review B.R.A.I.N tool, role play if necessary

12:40 - 1:00
● Review remaining materials from session 1
● Practice comfort measures