Terms of Service
How to choose a doula.
The perinatal period is an intimate and special moment that you will hold closely in your heart. You will want to make sure that you feel comfortable, confident and trust within your doula.
To select your doula, you may browse 'The Team' page to view introductions/bio's for all of our current team members. If there is a doula that you would like to be connected with specifically, please let us know. If not, we will reach out to the team to check availability and you will be connected by email with the appropriate team member/s for 'meet and greet' interview/s.
The 'meet and greet' interview is an excellent opportunity to make a connection with your doula. Share your birth preferences, philosophies and wishes for care. Your doula will be able to identify how they can support you/your partner best.
Once you have selected a suitable doula match for your care and your order has been placed, services will begin.
Choosing Your Doula
You are encouraged to browse our team profiles and request a specific doula if desired. If no preference is indicated, Greater Toronto Doulas will match the client with an available doula based on fit and availability. A complimentary “meet and greet” interview may be arranged so that the client can discuss their preferences, philosophies, and support needs before confirming services.
Services begin once payment is received and booking is confirmed.
Scope of Services
Greater Toronto Doulas provides non-medical emotional, educational, and practical support during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.
Birth Doula Services Include:
On-call support during business hours for questions from booking until 6 weeks postpartum
Two prenatal visits (approximately 2 hours each)
On-call support for labor and birth
Attendance at birth, with arrival within approximately 1.5 hours of request
Continuous support through labor and up to 2 hours postpartum
One postpartum visit (1–2 hours)
Access to an emergency backup doula if needed
Postpartum Doula Services Include:
Emotional and physical support for the family
Infant care education and feeding support
Light household tasks
Meal preparation
Daytime or overnight support as scheduled
Ongoing communication support by phone, text, or email
Minimum postpartum bookings:
Day shifts: 4 hours minimum
Overnight shifts: 8 hours minimum
All postpartum hours from the initial booking must be used within 12 weeks, unless otherwise agreed.
Non-Medical Support Disclaimer
Your doula is an independent, non-medical support professional and is not a substitute for medical care. Doulas do not perform medical tasks, provide clinical advice, or make medical decisions on your behalf.
Clients retain full responsibility for all medical decisions and acknowledge that Greater Toronto Doulas and its doulas are not liable for medical outcomes.
Payment Terms
All service fees are subject to applicable taxes, including HST.
Payment in full is due at the time of booking in order to reserve your doula and secure service availability.
Because booking reserves your doula’s on-call time and schedule, all payments are non-refundable except where explicitly stated in this agreement.
Additional hours, extensions, or add-on services will be billed at the current posted rates.
Statutory holiday postpartum shifts, if agreed upon, are billed at 1.5 times the regular hourly rate.
Parking fees paid by your doula during scheduled shifts will be invoiced to you weekly once services begin.
Cancellations and Refunds
Birth Doula Services
Payments for birth doula services are non-refundable, including in the event of:
Planned or unplanned cesarean birth
Use of backup doula services
Failure to notify your doula in time to attend the birth
Cancellation within 12 weeks of your estimated due date
If cancellation occurs before 28 weeks of pregnancy, a partial refund may be issued at the discretion of Greater Toronto Doulas, less fees for services already rendered.
Postpartum Doula Services
All postpartum bookings are non-refundable once confirmed.
A minimum of 48 hours notice is required to cancel or reschedule a postpartum shift.
If less than 48 hours notice is given:
The full scheduled shift fee will apply
If the doula arrives and the client is unavailable for 30 minutes or more, the shift will be considered cancelled and the full shift fee will apply.
Repeated cancellations or rescheduling may result in forfeiture of fees for the affected shifts.
Rescheduled shifts are subject to doula availability.
Failure to Provide Services
Greater Toronto Doulas will make every reasonable effort to provide the agreed services.
If your doula is unable to attend due to illness, emergency, unsafe weather, or other unforeseen circumstances, a backup doula may be assigned where possible.
If Greater Toronto Doulas is unable to provide the scheduled service due to our error and no backup is available, the client will receive a refund for the portion of services not provided.
No refund will be issued where services cannot be delivered due to:
Client delay in notifying the doula
Rapid labor progression
Unsafe conditions at the service location
Circumstances beyond our control
Illness and Health Safety
Clients agree to notify their doula promptly if anyone in the home has symptoms of contagious illness.
Services may be rescheduled until the household has been symptom-free for at least 24 hours.
Failure to notify your doula of illness in the home may result in forfeiture of the scheduled service fee.
If your doula becomes ill, all reasonable efforts will be made to reschedule or arrange backup support. Missed services will be rescheduled where possible, but refunds will not be issued.
Both parties agree to follow reasonable health and hygiene practices.
Client Responsibilities
Clients agree to provide a safe and respectful environment for their doula.
For postpartum services, clients must:
Provide legal and safe parking access
Ensure safe access to the home, including snow and ice removal where applicable
For overnight shifts, provide a suitable resting space for the doula when the baby is sleeping and all duties are complete. (A flat surface is required. Such as a bed or couch.)
If errands are requested before a shift, the doula’s paid time begins upon arrival at the first errand location.
Unexpected Outcomes
Greater Toronto Doulas recognizes that unexpected outcomes can occur, including medical complications, miscarriage, or stillbirth.
If a pregnancy loss occurs before 28 weeks and before substantial services have been provided, a refund may be issued at the discretion of Greater Toronto Doulas.
If prenatal services have already been completed, a partial refund may be considered.
Support remains available during these circumstances, and clients are encouraged to reach out to their doula.
Professional Conduct and Dispute Resolution
Greater Toronto Doulas and its team members agree to provide respectful, professional, and non-judgmental support.
Any concerns regarding services should first be brought to management for resolution. Both parties agree to make reasonable efforts to resolve disputes in good faith before legal action is taken.
Governing Law
These Terms of Service are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein.
Any disputes arising from these services shall be resolved in the courts of Ontario, Canada.