WHAT IS A DOULA?
Doula – A Greek word meaning “woman who serves”. In labor support terminology, doula refers to a specially trained birth companion (not a friend or loved one) who provides labor support. She performs no clinical tasks. 
(Excerpt from DONA International website – www.dona.org)

HOW WE PRACTICE:
MUM doulas share on-call availability, meaning that we rotate on-call responsibility each week. Our clients get to know us during prenatal visits and one of us then attends their birth. This provides our clients with peace-of-mind, knowing that they will be comfortable with the doula attending their birth. This differs from doulas practicing solo, where their clients may give birth with a back-up doula with whom they haven’t formed a relationship. 

MUM doesn’t have a standard "doula routine" that is used with every client. We feel that it is important to adapt to the needs of each individual client. We are there not only to support the mother, but the partner as well (if applicable). It is not our intention to replace the partner. Rather, it is our goal to provide the information, reassurance, and support that will enable the partner to participate in the birth, at the level that the client finds most comfortable. 

MUM DOULA SERVICES:
We offer an initial interview at no cost. 
We offer two prenatal visits. During these visits, we become familiar with the client’s birth plan and preferences, discussing any possible fears or concerns. Different labour comfort measures and coping techniques are reviewed in detail and postpartum issues are also discussed. 
We provide a binder filled with several informational hand-outs on labour/birth/postpartum topics. 
We are available by phone or email to answer any questions that may come up between or after prenatal visits. 
We are on call (around due date) for the client’s birth. We would join you in labour, whenever you feel the need for extra support. We would remain with you, providing constant informational, physical, and emotional support throughout the birth. 
We stay with the client for 2-3 hours during the postpartum period to ensure the client is comfortable, and that breastfeeding (if that is your method of feeding) is well established. 
We may able to take pictures/video during or after the birth. Due to the unpredictability of birth, we can not guarantee the amount of pictures taken. If photography is important to you, we can discuss the option of having a photographer attend the birth as well as provide referrals, if necessary. 
We visit the client once during the postpartum period, to review the birth experience and answer any questions. 
We can refer clients to appropriate postpartum resources, if needed. 
We provide a brief birth story, from your doula’s perspective. 

MUM DOULA SERVICE FEES:
We charge $600.00 for doula services. A retaining fee (50%) is required upon signing of our contract, and the balance is required within two weeks of the client’s birth. Payment arrangements can be discussed after the client’s initial meeting.