Personal Code of Conduct

I will support women in their choices for childbirth.

I will support any type of family –two parent/single parent, heterosexual/homosexual, any religion or any ethnic background.

I will provide all parents with information about their options during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum.

I will encourage bonding and establish realistic expectations for parents.

I will encourage and support breastfeeding, but also recognize that it is an individual decision.

I will ensure that my fees are fair, reasonable and considerate with services preformed and the client’s ability to pay. I will clearly state my services, fees, terms of payment and refund policy with each client. I will attempt to assist in DONA’s mission for “A doula for every woman who wants one” by making reduced cost and free services when appropriate.

I will not divulge confidential information received in a professional capacity from my clients.

I will make every effort to honor agreements and contracts for professional services.

I will treat all colleagues in an ethical, professional and respectful manner at all times.

I will uphold and advance the values, ethics, knowledge and mission of my profession.

Personal Scope of Practice

As a Labor Doula…

Assists the woman and her family before, during, and after birth by providing emotional, physical, and informational support. It is not within the labor doula’s scope of practice to offer medical advice or perform any medical or clinical procedure.

During pregnancy:
The labor doula’s role is to assist families in preparing a birth plan, to provide information about birth options and resources, and to provide emotional support.

During labor and birth:
The labor doula facilitates communication between the family and the caregivers. She supports the mother and her partner with the use of physical, emotional, and informational support.

Postpartum:
The labor doula assists the mother in talking through her birth experience, answering questions about newborn care and breastfeeding within our scope of practice, and referring the family to appropriate resources as needed.

As a Postpartum doula…

Provide informational and educational information to the family. Medical advice is not given; referrals to appropriate studies and published books are within the postpartum doulas scope. The postpartum doula will determine ahead of time what duties she feels comfortable with performing for the postpartum family and she will share this information with the family prior to accepting a position with the family.

Postpartum doulas do not perform clinical or medical care on mother or baby such as taking blood pressure or temperature, fetal heart tone checks, vaginal exams or postpartum clinical care.


	Personal Code of Conduct I will support women in their choices for childbirth. I will support any type of family –two parent/single parent, heterosexual/homosexual, any religion or any ethnic background. I will provide all parents with information about their options during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. I will encourage bonding and establish realistic expectations for parents. I will encourage and support breastfeeding, but also recognize that it is an individual decision. I will ensure that my fees are fair, reasonable and considerate with services preformed and the client’s ability to pay. I will clearly state my services, fees, terms of payment and refund policy with each client. I will attempt to assist in DONA’s mission for “A doula for every woman who wants one” by making reduced cost and free services when appropriate. I will not divulge confidential information received in a professional capacity from my clients. I will make every effort to honor agreements and contracts for professional services. I will treat all colleagues in an ethical, professional and respectful manner at all times. I will uphold and advance the values, ethics, knowledge and mission of my profession. Personal Scope of Practice As a Labor Doula… Assists the woman and her family before, during, and after birth by providing emotional, physical, and informational support. It is not within the labor doula’s scope of practice to offer medical advice or perform any medical or clinical procedure. During pregnancy: The labor doula’s role is to assist families in preparing a birth plan, to provide information about birth options and resources, and to provide emotional support. During labor and birth: The labor doula facilitates communication between the family and the caregivers. She supports the mother and her partner with the use of physical, emotional, and informational support. Postpartum: The labor doula assists the mother in talking through her birth experience, answering questions about newborn care and breastfeeding within our scope of practice, and referring the family to appropriate resources as needed. As a Postpartum doula… Provide informational and educational information to the family. Medical advice is not given; referrals to appropriate studies and published books are within the postpartum doulas scope. The postpartum doula will determine ahead of time what duties she feels comfortable with performing for the postpartum family and she will share this information with the family prior to accepting a position with the family. Postpartum doulas do not perform clinical or medical care on mother or baby such as taking blood pressure or temperature, fetal heart tone checks, vaginal exams or postpartum clinical care.