Terms and Conditions

TERMS OF SERVICE – PRENATAL AND POSTPARTUM YOGA

Please note that refund requests may be made up until 5 days prior to the start of the session you have registered. After that point, no refunds will be given.

There may be no extensions or substitutions of the session you have registered in. Each session is completely separate from any other session. If you miss a class, unfortunately there are no make-up classes.

TERMS OF SERVICE – PRIVATE YOGA

Packages for private yoga are refundable if refund request is received within 5 days of original purchase date. If any of the sessions have been used, refund will be pro-rated based on the regular price of a single private yoga class. After 5 days have passed from the original date of purchase, refunds are no longer available.

Once an appointment is scheduled, 24 hours notice is required for cancellation or rescheduling. If less than 24 hours notice is provided, a class will be deducted from the package to cover the cost of the missed session.

Private Yoga packages must be used within 6 months of the original date of purchase. There will be no refund for unused sessions.

TERMS OF SERVICE – BIRTH DOULA SERVICES

Philosophy of Care

Childbirth is unpredictable and can be challenging. I believe the best support is that which engages and prepares parents emotionally and informationally. Parents deserve support regardless of the path in which their new baby arrives. My support is inclusive and compassionate. Care is LGBTQ friendly and embraces families of all walks of life.

Choosing a Doula:

I will meet with an expectant couple once on an interview basis, either in person or over the phone. This meeting is free of charge and requires no additional commitment. This meeting allows each party to become acquainted and share philosophies to determine if there is a suitable match. Birth and the postpartum period are a profoundly personal experience and you must feel comfortable with your choice of doula.

What is a Birth doula?

As a doula, I accompany women in labour to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience. Doulas draw on their knowledge and experience to provide emotional support, physical comfort and communication with the staff (as needed) to make sure that you have the information you need to make informed decisions as they arise in labour. I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labour progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for comfort. I am independent and self-employed and will be working for you, not your caregiver or hospital.

Before Your Birth:

Once you have chosen me as your doula, I will meet with you and your partner before your birth to go over some basic childbirth education and to assist you in your preparation of your birth plan. These sessions will be conducted at your house, or can be conducted at a place of your choosing.

Once retained, and with receipt of your deposit, we will inform you of your doula’s contact numbers. To cover those times that she may be unavailable, we arrange one or more back-up doulas whom you may request to meet. You and your doula will certainly remain in touch by telephone as your due date approaches.

When you are in labour:

I prefer that you call me when you think you are in labour even if you do not yet need me. I can answer questions and make suggestions over the phone. You will decide if I should come right then or wait for further progress/changes. I will be with you throughout active labour and delivery. I usually need approximately one hour from the time you ask me to come (depending on place of birth). We will also decide where to meet (home, hospital, birth centre). Except for extraordinary circumstances, either myself or our back-up will remain with you throughout your labour and birth.

After birth:

I will usually remain with you for approximately 1-2 hours postpartum, until you are comfortable and your family is ready for quiet time together. I can also assist with initial breastfeeding if necessary/requested.

I am available for phone contact to answer questions about birth or your baby and would like to get together with you within one to two weeks to see how you are doing, review the birth, and get feedback from you about my role.

What Birth doulas do not do:

Perform clinical tasks such as blood pressure, fetal heart checks, vaginal exams, etc.
Make decisions for you. (I will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision. I will also remind you if there is a departure from your Birth Plan.)
Speak to staff instead of you regarding matters where decisions are being made. (I will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you or your partner will speak on your behalf to the clinical )

Failure of a doula to provide service:

I will make every effort to provide the services described here. Sometimes this is impossible (for example, a rapid labour). If my failure to attend your birth is due to my error, there will be no charge for my birth services and I will refund half of your birth fee (remaining is used for prenatal visits and one postpartum visit). If it is due to your failure to call me, no refund is issued. Birth can be a very unpredictable event, and although I will provide physical and emotional comfort to be best of my ability, I cannot guarantee you a problem-free birth.

Fees and Payment:

Payment may be made via cheque, E Transfer, Visa or MasterCard.

Birth Doula Fees:

A deposit of 50% of the total fee is due at time of booking, and is required to secure services (this fee covers the cost of prenatal and postpartum appointments). The remainder of the fee is due at the last prenatal appointment (this portion of the fee covers the labour and birth). Birth care will NOT be confirmed until payment is received.

Cancellation and Refunds

If a client wants to cancel their birth doula care and has paid in full:

The client will be eligible for a 75% refund if given 120 days’ notice from their due date or more.
The client will be eligible for a 50% refund if given 90-119 days’ notice from their due date.
The client will be eligible for a 25% refund if given 60-89 days’ notice from their due date.

If any prenatal appointments have taken place, the refund will be prorated accordingly. Proof of your due date may be requested at the time of the refund.

No refund or modification of services will be provided in the following circumstances:

cancellations within 60 days of the due date
in the event of a planned or unplanned cesarean delivery
in the event that you do not call me or do not give me enough notice for me to make your delivery
in the event that backup is needed

Confidentiality

Personal information is collected for contact purposes including my newsletter, which I use to regularly be in touch with my clients about important information regarding their care, upcoming events and recent studies regarding topics on pregnancy and parenting. Contact information including name, phone number, email address and due date and other relevant personal information may be shared with another doula who is, or becomes involved in your care.

TERMS OF SERVICE –POSTPARTUM DOULA SERVICES

Philosophy of Care

Choosing a Doula:

What is a Postpartum Doula?

A postpartum doula is trained to help new families in the early weeks with their new baby. From help with breastfeeding (infant feeding), education on newborn care, running errands, helping with older siblings, nighttime support, self-care recovery measures, adjustment to new roles and anything else a new family needs help with, parents find the additional support invaluable. Studies have shown that a doula’s presence reduces postpartum depression and increases a parent’s ability to bond with their baby.

What Postpartum doulas do not do:

Perform clinical tasks such as blood pressure, check temperatures, assess or diagnose any medical conditions, etc.
Make decisions for you. (I am there to support your choices and decisions and will provide you with information to assist you)
Take over care of the baby/siblings, however will assist with all your duties relating to your children.
Do heavy house cleaning such as mopping, cleaning bathtubs, or yard work.
Provide medication or formula outside of the written instructions on the label or written out by the care provider

Failure of a doula to provide service:

I will make every effort to provide the services described here. Sometimes this is impossible (for example, I may get called to a birth during my shift). If my failure to attend a shift is due to my error, there will be no charge for the hours missed. If it is due to your last minute cancellation of services, no refund is issued. 48 hours’ notice is required for changes.

I agree to work for you on a pre-determined schedule, subject to availability and mutually agreeable hours. For billing purposes, an hour is considered to begin when I arrive at your home on a previously arranged time. If I run errands for you on my way to your home, the hour begins when I arrive at the first stop.

No refunds are given on the retainer fee. The retainer reflects my commitment to be available to you as well as your commitment of payment for securing my services. The retainer is equal to two weeks of service. You will then be billed at the end of each week for the week’s hours. The retainer will be used for the final two weeks of work.

Overnight support:

Overnight support allows parents to get much needed sleep, which is associated with greater well-being. I will make every attempt to keep the baby(ies) as quiet as possible so you can get the most sleep possible. I will adjust my techniques as the baby(ies) get older. When the baby(ies) is/are asleep I may have a little cat-nap. You can expect me to always be attentive to the baby(ies) needs and be regularly checking-in on the baby(ies). I will clean bottles and prepare bottles if required, and if I can do that without waking you. This is sometimes difficult if the kitchen is near your room. We will consistently communicate so that we’re all using the same techniques. Overnight shifts are typically 10pm to 6am unless otherwise agreed upon. When I am asked to stay late, extra time will be billed at the same hourly rate.

Statutory holidays:

If a regularly scheduled postpartum shift falls on a statutory holiday, the client will have the option of cancelling the shift or paying 1.5x the regular rate. I do not typically work on statutory holidays and would be doing so at my sole discretion.

Fees and Payment:

Payment may be made via cheque, E Transfer, Visa or MasterCard.

Clients will submit deposit of 2 weeks of service as a non-refundable deposit. This deposit is required to reserve postpartum doula care. Clients booking less than 2 weeks of services will pay their booking in full. Clients will then be billed at the end of each week, starting the week service begins. Once we’ve been given notice, we will begin to use the deposit for the last 2 weeks of care. The deposit may extend over 2 weeks of care if hours are used less frequently than the first two weeks of care.

Postpartum clients MUST use their hours within 3 months of their birth date. Any hours remaining after this time will be expired. If the client would like to extend their postpartum contract, they can submit a registration form for additional time and their hours will need to be used within 3 months of submitting their renewing form.

Postpartum doula care will NOT be confirmed until payment is received.

Cancellation and Refunds

If a client wants to cancel their postpartum care:

The client will be eligible for a 50% refund of their initial booking if given 60 days’ notice from their due date or more.

No refund is provided for cancellations within 60 days of the due date.

Once a client has started care with their postpartum doula, 48 hours’ notice will be required to reschedule a shift. If 48 hours’ notice is not given, the client will be charged for the entire shift.

Confidentiality

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