These are the Standards of Practice that we ask every member of BABA to sign:
Scope and Limits to Practice: All care providers, as members of BABA, will provide services and care to the highest of ethical standards as set forth by your profession. Straying outside of the specified service in which the client is seeking care should be immediately explained to the client. This allows the client to make an informed decision about accepting out of scope treatments.
Communication: The care provider will return all calls/emails (unless otherwise communicated) to the potential/existing client within 3 days (72 hours), whether or not you can work with this client. If you are unable to work with a client for whatever reason, it is appropriate to refer them to other BABA members of the same field or other care providers in your field. When providing resources outside of BABA it is important to communicate this to the client.
Contracts/Agreements: When working with a client referred from BABA it is preferable that a contract or agreement is signed by both parties. The document should state the following:
These are the Standards of Practice that are specific to doulas:
A) Services Rendered The doula accompanies the woman in labor, provides educational, emotional and physical support, suggests comfort measures, and provides support and suggestions for the partner. Whenever possible the doula provides pre-and post-partum emotional and educational support, including explanation and discussion of practices and procedures, and assistance in acquiring the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about her care. Doulas do not prescribe treatment. Therefore, suggestions or information provided within the role of doula must be done with the provision that the doula advises her client to check with her primary care provider before using any application or treatment.
B) Limits of Practice BABA doulas do not perform clinical or medical tasks such as taking blood pressure or temperature, fetal heart tone checks, vaginal examinations, or postpartum clinical care. If doulas who are also health care professionals choose to provide services for a client that are outside the doula's scope of practice, they should not describe themselves as doulas to their client or to others. In such cases, they should describe themselves by a name other than 'doula' and provide services according to the scopes of practice and the standards of their health care profession. On the other hand, if a health care professional chooses to limit her services to those provided by doulas it is acceptable according to BABA standards for her to describe herself as a doula.
C) Informational Support The doula promotes the client's wishes as expressed in her birth plan, in prenatal conversation and intra-partum discussion, by encouraging her client to ask questions of her caregiver and to express her preferences and concerns. The doula helps the mother incorporate changes in plans, if and when, the need arises and enhances the communication between client and caregiver. Clients and doulas must recognize that the doula's role does not include speaking instead of the client or making decisions for the mother. The doula's role is best described as support, information and mediation. Clearly put, the doula should not take it upon herself to address the care-providers directly. Rather, she is there to remind her client that questions can be asked at all times and for any reason.
D) Referrals For client needs beyond the scope of the doula's practice, referrals are made to appropriate resources. If you are unable to work with a client, return all calls and make appropriate referrals within 72 hours.
E) Continuity of Care The doula must have a back up doula in place to ensure the client receives care if the doula is unable to attend the birth. This arrangement should include payment expectations between the doula and the back up.
If there are dates that you are unavailable to provide services, then you must get agreement with your client and provide an opportunity for an introduction with the back up doula.
Should any doula feel a need to discontinue service with an established client, it is the doula's responsibility to notify the client in writing. If the client so desires and it is appropriate for the doula, the doula can assist them in finding a replacement doula.