Birth Doula Agreement

Between Bonnie Walker (ABN: 94 795 586 184 trading as “Bonnie the Doula”) & the Client

 

1. Purpose of This Agreement

This agreement outlines the emotional, physical, and informational support Bonnie Walker (your birth doula) will provide during your pregnancy, labour, birth, and immediate postpartum period. It ensures that both parties understand their responsibilities and expectations as you prepare for birth.

☐ I understand the purpose of this agreement and the support Bonnie offers as a birth doula.

 

2. Scope of Support

What I Offer as Your Doula:
Bonnie will support you through:

• Prenatal visits to explore your birth preferences, discuss fears, and prepare emotionally & practically
• Labour & birth support, whether at home and/or in hospital
• Postpartum visits to debrief the birth, support recovery, and offer guidance with baby care, feeding and emotional transitions to parenthood
• Educational tools including Bonnie’s online courses & printable workbooks
• Emotional support via in-person or Zoom appointments and WhatsApp throughout pregnancy
• Phone support during labour or in urgent situations

 

What I Don’t Do as a Doula:
To protect your safety and clarify Bonnie’s non-clinical role, it’s important to know that she will not:

• Perform any clinical tasks (e.g. checking dilation, taking blood pressure, monitoring baby’s heart rate)
• Offer medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment
• Replace the role of your doctor, midwife, or medical team
• Attend your birth in place of a qualified healthcare provider
• Make decisions on your behalf
• Guarantee a specific birth outcome

☐ I understand what is included in the scope of doula support. I understand that Bonnie is not a medical professional and will not perform clinical tasks, offer medical advice, or replace my care provider.

 

3. Communication

Bonnie is available to you via WhatsApp and phone for emotional support, check-ins, and questions during your pregnancy.

•  Messages will usually be responded to within 24 hours on weekdays
• Text messages sent after 9pm may not be seen until the next morning, as Bonnie’s phone notifications are silenced overnight
• If you think labour is starting or you need urgent support, please call Bonnie directly on +61 0409 485 098—your phone call will break through even when notifications are off

☐ I understand when & how to contact Bonnie, and that phone calls are best for urgent or time-sensitive support

 

4. On-Call Period

Bonnie will be officially on call for your birth from 38 weeks gestation until your baby is born. During this time, she’ll keep her phone nearby, her doula bag packed, and be ready to join you when needed.

If labour begins before 38 weeks, Bonnie will do her best to be there—but depending on her availability or if she is attending another birth, she may call on her trusted backup doula to support you instead.

Bonnie may need up to 60 minutes (plus travel time) to arrive once you’ve asked her to come, so staying in touch during early labour is important. Keeping her updated helps her plan her commitments, rest, and be fully present when you need her.

☐ I understand that Bonnie is officially on call from 38 weeks, and that if labour begins earlier, she will do her best to attend or send a backup doula if needed.

 

5. Backup Doula

There may be times when Bonnie has prior commitments during your on-call window (such as family responsibilities or planned unavailability). If this is the case, she will give you advance notice and ensure a thorough handover and warm introduction to your backup doula, so you feel confident and supported in their care.

Bonnie will introduce you to two trusted backup doulas during pregnancy and provide their names, contact details, and relevant information so you know exactly who may be attending if she is unavailable on the day.

Bonnie also reserves the right to call in a backup doula at any time due to illness, overlapping births, personal emergencies, or any unforeseen circumstances that prevent her from being physically present.

☐ I understand that Bonnie may call on a trusted backup doula and that I will be introduced to both backups and provided with their full details during pregnancy.

 

7. Labour & Birth Support

During early labour, Bonnie recommends staying at home, resting, and updating her on any changes. Bonnie will join you when you feel you need her during labour. You are in charge of deciding when to call her in, but it’s important to stay in touch during early labour—even if you’re not ready for support yet.

She will provide emotional, physical, and informational support—whether you’re labouring at home, heading to hospital, or navigating changes along the way.

If you're giving birth in hospital, Bonnie will accompany you (if permitted) and remain with you until your baby is born. If a caesarean birth becomes necessary, she will support you and your partner in whatever way hospital policy allows.

☐ I understand that Bonnie will join me in early labour and stay until my baby is born, including hospital and caesarean birth support if permitted.

 

8. Postpartum Visits

Bonnie will visit you at home in the days or weeks after birth. These visits are for birth debriefing, emotional support, and baby care guidance. The number of visits is based on the package chosen.

☐ I understand that postpartum visits are included and based on the support package selected.

 

11. Elective Caesarean Births

If you choose a planned caesarean, Bonnie will support you emotionally and practically leading up to the birth. This includes in-person hospital support (where allowed) and postpartum care.

☐ I understand that Bonnie will still support me if I choose an elective caesarean.

 

12. Miscarriage or Pregnancy Loss

In the event of miscarriage or pregnancy loss, Bonnie will offer full emotional support and compassionate flexibility with your contract.

You may choose:

• A partial refund for any unused support,
• Or the option to hold your deposit for future pregnancy support—whichever feels most comforting and right for you

This does not void the agreement; Bonnie will still honour any support already provided and remain available for debriefing or emotional care if you wish.

☐ I understand that in the case of miscarriage, I can choose a refund for unused support or carry forward my deposit for future care.

 

13. Childbirth Education

Bonnie’s online course and printable workbook form the backbone of her birth education approach. While she provides tools, support, and insight, the responsibility for preparation lies with you. Birth is unpredictable, and no specific outcome can be guaranteed.

☐ I understand that I am responsible for my own birth preparation and choices.

 

14. Confidentiality

Your personal information will be kept strictly confidential. Birth photos and stories will only be shared on social media or websites with your written permission.

☐ I understand that my privacy is protected and photos will never be shared without consent.

 

15. Health & Communicable Illness

You and Bonnie both agree to disclose any communicable or infectious diseases to ensure appropriate care and safety.

☐ I agree to disclose any relevant health concerns, and understand Bonnie will do the same.

 

16. Mutual Respect & Right to Withdraw

This relationship is built on mutual respect, open communication, and trust.

Bonnie is committed to supporting you with care, integrity, and professionalism—and she asks the same in return. If at any point she feels misled, mistreated, or that the working relationship is no longer safe or aligned, she reserves the right to withdraw her services.

☐ I understand that this is a respectful working relationship, and that Bonnie may withdraw her services if she feels misled or mistreated.

 

17. Waiver of Liability

You acknowledge that Bonnie is not responsible for the outcome of your birth, and her services do not replace medical care. You release her from liability related to any outcomes in your pregnancy, labour, or postpartum period.

☐ I acknowledge and agree to the waiver of liability and understand the limits of Bonnie’s role.

 

18. Dispute Resolution

In the unlikely event that a dispute arises between us, we agree that all matters will be resolved under Western Australian law.

Unless otherwise stated, neither party is entitled to claim attorney’s fees or expenses resulting from the dispute. Every effort will be made to resolve concerns with respect, honesty, and professionalism.

☐ I understand that any disputes will be resolved under Western Australian law, and that attorney’s fees are not recoverable unless otherwise agreed.

 

19. Legal Requests & Subpoenas

If Bonnie is required to respond to a subpoena or legal request involving your care (e.g. providing records, appearing in court, or giving testimony), you agree to reimburse her for:

• Time spent preparing or appearing
• Loss of earnings
• Travel expenses
• Legal fees (if applicable)

This includes responding to subpoenas, depositions, or other formal demands related to the services provided.

☐ I understand that if legal records or testimony are requested, I am responsible for covering Bonnie’s time, expenses, and legal costs.

 

20. Payment Terms & Refund Policy

To secure your place, a $1000 deposit is required upon signing this agreement, with the balance due by 36 weeks. Bonnie cannot go on call at 38 weeks unless fees have been finalised.

☐ I agree to pay the full balance by 36 weeks pregnant, on or before: ____/____/_____

 

Once your place is secured, Bonnie declines other potential clients and refers them to her birthing colleagues.

Bonnie is committed to being at your birth, but in the unlikely event that this is not possible, the following refund policies apply:

• If Bonnie is unable to attend your birth due to unforeseen circumstances and her backup doula is also unavailable, a partial refund may be offered
• If the backup doula attends your birth, no refund will be issued—even if you had preferred Bonnie to attend
• If Bonnie must leave early due to a family emergency and her backup doula cannot step in, a partial refund may be offered for any unused support
• If Bonnie is unable to attend but a refund is agreed upon, this does not void the rest of your contract—Bonnie will still provide postpartum support
• If you fail to contact Bonnie or give enough notice, and she does not have time to attend your birth, no refund will be given
• If Bonnie arrives within 120 minutes of your call and the baby has already been born, there is no discount or refund

While Bonnie’s birth support is unlimited, she asks for common sense and mutual understanding. In rare cases where labour extends beyond 15 hours, she may need to briefly step away to rest, arrange childcare, or care for her family. In this case:

• She will communicate clearly with you
• She may arrange for her backup doula to step in temporarily (at no extra charge)

You also acknowledge that full doula fees still apply in the event of extraordinary circumstances, including if your birth ends in a caesarean.

☐ I understand the payment terms and refund policy, and that full fees still apply in the case of caesarean birth or last-minute attendance issues.

 

21. Final Agreement

By signing below, you confirm that you’ve read this agreement, understand the scope of support, and agree to the outlined terms.

 

Client Name: __________________________________________________________

Estimated Due Date: ____________________________________________________

Signature: ____________________________________________________________

Date Signed: _______/_______/_______

 

Birth Partner Name (optional): ___________________________________________

Signature (optional): ____________________________________________________

Date Signed: _______/_______/_______

 

Doula Name: Bonnie Walker

Signature: _____________________________________________________________

On Call From: _______/_______/_______

Date Signed: _______/_______/_______