Service Agreement

Milestone Doulas – Service Agreement

This Service Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into between Milestone Doulas (“we,” “our,” or “us”) and the client (“you” or “your”) receiving support services. Please review all information in this document carefully. If you have any questions or need clarification, contact us before signing.

1. My Role, Scope of Services, and Service Limitations

As your doula and support professional, I provide personalized emotional, physical, educational, and logistical support tailored to your needs. My services include, but are not limited to:

  • Fertility and family planning support

  • Perinatal education

  • Labor and birth doula support

  • Postpartum doula care

  • Surrogacy support

  • In-home decluttering and organization

Important limitations and clarifications:

  • My support is non-medical in nature and I do not provide medical advice, perform medical procedures, or offer clinical diagnoses.

  • All your medical care decisions remain fully with you; you assume complete responsibility for your own care and experience.

  • I do not communicate your medical decisions to clinical staff on your behalf; my role is to support you in expressing your own preferences.

  • For in-home services, I may decline tasks that are unsafe, unsanitary, or beyond my physical ability. We will determine project boundaries together.

2. Client Responsibilities

To ensure that Milestone Doulas can provide safe, effective, and supportive services, clients agree to the following responsibilities:

Timely Communication

  • Provide accurate contact information and notify me promptly of changes.

  • Respond to scheduling requests and updates in a reasonable timeframe.

  • Provide timely updates regarding labor onset and progress (as relevant for birth and postpartum support clients).

Safety and Respect

  • Maintain a safe and respectful environment during in-home services.

  • Disclose any known hazards, pets, or health concerns that could affect the provision of services.

  • Respect professional boundaries and instructions regarding safety, hygiene, and task limitations.

Decision-Making and Autonomy

  • Take full responsibility for all personal, medical, and logistical decisions.

  • Understand that Milestone Doulas provides guidance, support, and resources, but does not make clinical or legal decisions on the client’s behalf.

Scheduling and Appointments

  • Provide adequate notice for cancellations or rescheduling, as outlined in the service agreement.

  • Be prepared for scheduled visits to ensure efficient use of time and resources.

3. Availability and Communication

You may contact me via text, email, or phone with questions or concerns during your contract period. For birth clients, I am on call 24/7 starting two weeks before your estimated due date. For all other services, availability and communication windows will be confirmed during onboarding.

4. Fees and Payment

Service fees are determined by the package you select and outlined in your invoice. A 25% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve services. Payment plans are available for some of our clients, and we will work together to determine an installment plan. Milestone Doulas does not accept insurance, though receipts can be provided for possible reimbursement.

5. Cancellations & Rescheduling

  • If you cancel or reschedule a confirmed visit with less than 2 hours’ notice, that time may be considered as used and not eligible for rescheduling.

  • If I need to reschedule due to sickness, family emergency, the onset of a client’s labor, or for any other reason, I will provide as much advance notice as possible.

For birth support clients:

  • If I miss your birth due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control (such as an extreme weather event or natural disaster), or due to late/lack of notification of your labor, no refund is due.

  • If I miss your birth due to my error, a 25% refund will be offered unless a backup doula is deployed to attend your birth in my place.

6. In-Home Service Health, Safety and Liability

If services are provided in your home, you agree to provide a safe and respectful environment. Milestone Doulas is not liable for injuries, illness, or accidents in the home. I may decline tasks that are unsafe, unsanitary, or beyond my physical ability.

To support the health safety of myself and my clients, I follow strict hygiene practices, including wearing fresh clothes for sessions, frequent handwashing, and prioritizing my overall wellness. If I am feeling sick or have been around someone who is not well, I will notify you as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly. I may use gloves, face masks, or other protective measures as I deem necessary, based on my professional judgment. I reserve the right to accept or decline the use of these items at a client’s request.

A note on personal health: I may choose not to disclose my personal medical information, including vaccination decisions. I value education, research, and the ability to make informed decisions for myself and my clients. I appreciate your respect and trust in me as your doula to make these decisions for myself and my family in alignment with our vision for health.

7. Termination of Agreement

Either party may terminate this agreement in writing. If you terminate after payments have been made, payments are non-refundable. If I must end services due to personal emergency or unforeseen conflict, I will refund any unused portion of your service fee (excluding the deposit).

8. Confidentiality

All personal information you share is treated with respect and confidentiality. Relevant details may be shared with backup doulas or team members as needed to ensure continuity of care. Your notes and personal information will never be shared outside of your care team without explicit permission. You can also refer to Milestone Doulas’ full privacy policy for additional details.

9. Unexpected Circumstances

You acknowledge that many aspects of your journey—including birth outcomes, emotional experiences, and medical interventions—are unpredictable and beyond the control of either party. You agree not to hold Milestone Doulas liable for any undesired outcomes.

10. Entire Agreement

This agreement represents our mutual understanding of services to be provided. All service details, including number and type of sessions, are outlined separately. Any changes to this agreement must be made in writing and signed by both parties.