Birth Doula Partnerships

Doula Partners are independent doulas who contract with the Labor of Love Family Foundation to provide doula services to mothers enrolled in our program.

Rather than clients hiring and paying the doula directly, the Foundation coordinates services with the client and compensates the doula according to the agreed-upon contractor rate.

The Foundation partners with community organizations that serve pregnant women and families. Mothers are referred to our program based on their need for additional pregnancy and birth support.

Many of the women we serve may have limited support systems, financial barriers, limited access to childbirth education, or other circumstances that make professional doula support difficult to access independently.

No. Doula Partners serve as independent contractors, not employees of the Labor of Love Family Foundation.

Doulas maintain their own businesses and may continue working with private clients or other organizations while partnering with the Foundation.

When a mother is accepted into the program, the Foundation reviews her location, estimated due date, individual needs, preferences, and available doulas.

Whenever possible, we aim to create a thoughtful match between the mother and doula rather than simply assigning the first available provider.

The doula will have the opportunity to review the potential assignment before accepting the client.

No. Being a Doula Partner does not mean you must accept every client.

You will be contacted when an appropriate opportunity becomes available. You can review your availability and determine whether you are able to take the client.

Once you accept a client, however, we expect you to honor that commitment and provide dependable care according to the service agreement.

Services may vary depending on the program or partnership through which the mother is referred. Birth support will generally include:

• Prenatal preparation and education. 1-2 in person prenatal meeting depending on partner organization client is referred through

• Communication with the client leading up to birth.

• On-call availability beginning at the designated point in pregnancy.

• Continuous labor and birth support.

• Physical and emotional comfort measures.

• Support for informed decision-making and communication.

• Partner or family support when applicable.

• Postpartum follow-up.

Specific expectations will be provided before you accept a client.

The Foundation manages program enrollment and administrative coordination.

Doulas will receive the information and documentation necessary to provide services and will be responsible for completing any required records related to prenatal appointments, birth attendance, postpartum follow-up, and program reporting.

Birth Doula Partners are compensated by the Labor of Love Family Foundation, rather than by the mother receiving services.

Compensation and payment schedules will be clearly outlined in the independent contractor agreement before a doula begins accepting clients.

Because doulas are independent contractors, they are responsible for their own applicable taxes and business expenses unless otherwise specified in their agreement. Doulas will be paid the average rate of doula support in WI through the Foundation, but have the ability to write off the difference for their services as a charitable donation.

Birth work is unpredictable, and we understand that emergencies, illness, overlapping births, or other circumstances can occur.

The Foundation will maintain procedures for backup doula coverage. If you believe you may be unable to attend a birth, communication with the Foundation should happen as soon as possible so appropriate coverage can be coordinated.

Yes. We want every mother in our program to receive a consistent standard of compassionate and professional care.

Birth Doula Partners may be required to complete orientation, program-specific training, documentation training, and periodic continuing education or team meetings.

Our goal is not to eliminate each doula's individual style, but to make sure everyone understands the Foundation's expectations, policies, and standards of care.

Certification, training, experience, insurance, background requirements, and other qualifications will be reviewed as part of the Doula Partner application process.

Applicants will be asked to provide information about their education, birth experience, certifications, service area, availability, and approach to doula care.

We are looking for doulas who are compassionate, dependable, professional, and comfortable serving women from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances.

Our Doula Partners should be committed to providing respectful, nonjudgmental support while helping mothers feel informed, heard, prepared, and cared for throughout their birth experience.

Yes. Because Birth Doula Partners are independent contractors, they may continue operating their own doula businesses and accepting private clients.

We do expect doulas to carefully manage their availability and communicate potential scheduling conflicts before accepting a Foundation client.