Midwifery and Maternity Services Client Agreement

What a good one includes

• A detailed description of the prenatal visits, birth attendance, and postpartum care sessions included in your standard package.
• A clear, step-by-step plan outlining under what clinical circumstances a hospital transfer becomes necessary and how the transition of care will be managed.
• An explicit breakdown of retainers, payment schedules, insurance billing procedures, and what portions of the fee are refundable if care is transferred early.
• Specific parameters defining when you go on-call for the birth, how clients should reach you during labor, and backup provider arrangements if you are unavailable.
• A section acknowledging the client's right to make informed decisions about their body and baby, while clarifying the boundaries of what clinical risks you can legally and safely support.
• A clause detailing how either party can end the care relationship prior to the birth, including necessary notice periods and transfer of medical records.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Failing to define a clear backup midwife arrangement, which leaves clients stranded and you legally vulnerable if two births happen simultaneously.
• Being vague about refund policies for unexpected hospital transfers, which often leads to painful financial disputes during an already stressful postpartum transition.
• Omitting a formal scope of practice boundary statement, making it unclear where your clinical responsibilities end and hospital staff's begin.
• Using overly clinical or aggressive legal language that damages the therapeutic, trusting relationship before care even begins.

Frequently asked questions