PALS Doulas Code of Ethics

Rules of Conduct

1. Propriety. The Doula will maintain high standards of personal conduct in her labor support capacity and/or identity.
2. Competence and Professional Development. The Doula will strive to become and remain proficient in the professional practice and performance of labor support functions through continuing education, affiliation with related organizations, and associations with other Doulas.
3. Integrity. The Doula will act in accordance with the highest standards of professional integrity.

Ethical Responsibility to Clients

1. Primacy of Client’s Interests. The Doula’s primary responsibility is to her clients.
2. Rights and Prerogatives of Clients. The Doula will make every effort to foster maximum self-determination on the part of her clients.
3. Confidentiality and Privacy The Doula will respect the privacy of clients and hold in confidence all information obtained in the course of professional service.
4. Obligation to Serve. The Doula will assist each client seeking labor support either by providing services or making appropriate referrals.
5. Reliability. When the Doula agrees to work with a particular client, her obligation is to do so reliably, without fail, for the term of the agreement. The agreement (verbal or written) will clearly state any limitations on the Doula’s availability and include clear backup plans for such situations when the Doula is unavailable. (See Continuity of Care in “Standards of Practice”.)
6. Fees. When setting fees, the Doula will ensure that they are fair, reasonable, considerate, and commensurate with service performed and with due regard for the client’s ability to pay. The Doula must clearly state her fees to the client, and describe the services provided, terms of payment and refund policies.

Ethical Responsibility to Doula Colleagues

1. Respect, Fairness, and Courtesy. The Doula will treat colleagues with respect, courtesy, fairness and good faith.
2. Dealing with Colleagues’ Clients. The Doula has the responsibility to relate to the clients of colleagues with full professional consideration.

Ethical Responsibility to Health Care Providers of the Client

1. Respect, Fairness, and Courtesy. The Doula will treat her client’s caregivers with respect, courtesy, fairness and good faith.
2. Recognition of Clinical Responsibility. The Doula recognizes that responsibility for clinical management belongs to the Health Care Provider (nurse, midwife, physician) and the client. The Doula does not interfere with clinical management beyond making suggestions to, or asking questions of, the Health Care Provider and client, based on her knowledge of the client’s birth plan and preferences.

Ethical Responsibility to the Doula Profession

1. Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession. The Doula will uphold and advance the values, ethics, knowledge, and mission of the profession.
2. Community Service. The Doula is encouraged to assist the profession by making reduced cost or no cost labor support services available when possible.

Ethical Responsibility to Society

1. Promoting Maternal and Child Welfare. The Doula will promote the general health of women and their babies, and whenever possible, that of their family and friends as well.