Postpartum Doula Contract – Protect Your Business and Clients

Are you a postpartum doula looking to safeguard your services, set clear expectations, and create a professional foundation with your clients?

Our comprehensive Postpartum Doula Services Agreement is designed specifically for postpartum doulas and their clients, making it easy to establish professional boundaries, clarify responsibilities, and ensure smooth working relationships.

Why Every Postpartum Doula Needs a Contract

As a postpartum doula, your time, expertise, and emotional labor are valuable. A properly written doula contract protects both you and your clients by clearly outlining:

• The scope of your services

• Payment schedules and policies

• Communication expectations

• Safety and mandated reporting protocols

• Client responsibilities

• Policies for harassment, cancellations, and rescheduling

With this contract, you’ll prevent misunderstandings, protect your legal and professional interests, and provide clients with confidence in your care.

What’s Included in the Postpartum Doula Services Agreement

Our professional postpartum doula contract covers every aspect of your postpartum services, including:

1. Scope of Services

Clearly define the non-medical support you provide: emotional guidance, infant care education, feeding support, and parental recovery assistance.

2. Fees & Payment

Transparent payment terms include:

• 25% retainer due at booking

• 25% pre-birth payment

• Weekly billing for remaining services

• Late payments subject to a 10% late fee

• Federal holidays and fully awake overnight care billed at 1.5× normal rate

3. Communication Policy

Set expectations for communication with clients:

• Text or email Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (excluding holidays)

• Non-urgent messages responded to within 12–24 hours

• Phone calls scheduled as needed outside office hours

4. Client Responsibilities

Clearly define client expectations, including updates on labor, delivery, hospital discharge, and ongoing newborn care concerns.

5. Mandated Reporting & Safety Protocol

Outlines the doula’s responsibilities as a mandated reporter, including steps for addressing safety concerns and establishing safety plans.

6. Harassment & Abuse Policy

Protect yourself: the contract allows the doula to leave immediately in cases of harassment, threats, or abuse.

7. Backup Doula & Rescheduling Policy

Clients and doulas have a 2-week window to reschedule canceled services, ensuring flexibility for both parties.

8. Confidentiality & Professional Rights

Protect sensitive information and your professional rights during and after your services.

Why This Postpartum Doula Contract Is Different

Unlike generic contracts, this agreement is tailored specifically for postpartum doulas, reflecting the realities of postpartum care, including:

• Overnight and fully awake care

• Federal holiday policies

• Doula rest policies

• Detailed client communication expectations

• Clear payment schedules and late fees

It’s designed to protect your business, reduce liability, and enhance client relationships.

Benefits of Using This Postpartum Doula Agreement

• Establishes professional credibility with clients

• Prevents disputes and miscommunication

• Sets clear boundaries and expectations

• Protects both you and your clients legally

• Simplifies payment and scheduling management

Who Should Use This Contract

• Postpartum doulas offering in-home or virtual support

• Doula agencies providing postpartum services

• Any postpartum professional wanting to formalize services and agreements with clients

Instant Download – Ready to Use

This is a digital product, ready for instant download and use. Customize the contract with your business details and client information. It’s formatted to be client-ready and legally sound for postpartum doula services in most states.

Start Protecting Your Postpartum Doula Services Today

Invest in peace of mind and professionalism with a contract that sets expectations clearly and protects your work.

Important Disclaimer

This document is provided as a sample birth doula contract only. I am not an attorney, and this template does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations vary by state and jurisdiction, and every doula business has unique needs.

By purchasing or using this contract template, you acknowledge that:

• This contract is a starting point only

• You are responsible for reviewing and modifying it to suit your specific business

• You should have this document reviewed by a licensed attorney before using it with clients

I assume no liability for how this contract is used or for any outcomes related to its use. This template is offered to support your business operations, not to replace professional legal counsel.