A birth doula contract may not feel like the most important part of your work—but when something goes wrong, it quickly becomes the most important document you don’t have.

Many birth doulas rely on verbal agreements or informal emails, especially early in their careers. While trust and connection are essential in birth work, lack of a written birth doula contract can leave you financially vulnerable, emotionally drained, and legally exposed.

Here’s what can actually happen when you don’t have a doula contract in place.

Birth doula uses a contract to land a job

1. Payment Disputes and Refund Requests

One of the most common issues birth doulas face without a contract is disagreement over payment. A client may feel disappointed if their birth doesn’t go as planned and decide they deserve a refund—partial or full.

Without a written birth doula contract outlining:

Fees
Deposits
Non-refundable portions
Payment timelines

…you have very little protection. Even if you provided continuous support, emotional dissatisfaction can quickly turn into a financial dispute.

2. Unclear On-Call Expectations

Birth is unpredictable, and so is availability. Without a contract, clients may assume you are:

On call earlier than agreed
Available indefinitely
Obligated to attend no matter the circumstances

A clear birth doula contract defines your on-call window, when labor support begins, and when it ends. Without it, boundaries are harder to enforce—especially during emotionally charged moments.

3. Backup Doula Confusion

If you are sick, at another birth, or facing an emergency, clients may feel blindsided if there is no clear backup plan.

Without a contract addressing:

Backup doula policies
Whether clients must accept a backup
Refund expectations

…misunderstandings can escalate quickly. These conversations are extremely difficult to navigate once labor has started.

4. Scope of Practice Risks

Birth doulas are non-medical professionals, but without clear documentation, clients may still expect medical advice, decision-making, or advocacy beyond your role.

A birth doula contract protects you by clearly stating:

You do not provide medical care
You do not diagnose or treat
Clients remain responsible for medical decisions

Without this clarity, you may be exposed to unnecessary risk.

5. Emotional Burnout and Boundary Erosion

Repeated misunderstandings, unpaid labor, and unclear expectations can lead to resentment and burnout. Over time, this impacts your ability to show up fully for families—and can push doulas out of birth work altogether.

A contract supports sustainability. It allows you to do this work with clarity, confidence, and longevity.

Why Every Birth Doula Needs a Contract

A birth doula contract isn’t about mistrust. It’s about:

Protecting your time and income
Creating professional clarity
Supporting families through transparency
Ensuring your business is sustainable

If you’re offering labor support, on-call availability, or backup coverage, a written contract is not optional—it’s essential.

Get a Ready-to-Use Birth Doula Contract

If you want a professionally written birth doula contract template designed specifically for real-world birth scenarios, you don’t need to start from scratch.

👉 Purchase the Birth Doula Sample Contract here:
https://ctdoulas.com/store/p/birthdoulacontract

This template is ideal for birth doulas who want clear boundaries, legal protection, and confidence in their business—before problems arise.

Not ready to take the plunge? Grab my free Doula Contract checklist here.

What Happens When You Don’t Have a Birth Doula Contract