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Code of Ethics for Postpartum Doulas
DONA International’s Code of Ethics sets high standards
Our Code of Ethics helps us to practice with integrity by clearly defining our ethical responsibilities to clients, colleagues, the profession and society. It requires us to maintain high standards of personal integrity and professional competence and practice.
I. RULES OF CONDUCT
A. Propriety
The doula should maintain high standards of personal conduct in the capacity or identity as a Postpartum Support Provider.
B. Competence and Professional Development
The doula should strive to become and remain proficient in the professional practice and the performance of professional functions through continuing education, affiliation with related organizations, and associations with other Postpartum Support Providers.
C. Integrity
The doula should act in accordance with the highest standards of professional integrity.
II. ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY TO CLIENTS
A. Primacy of Client’s Interests
The doula’s primary responsibility is to her clients.
B. Rights and Prerogatives of Clients
The doula should make every effort to foster maximum selfdetermination on the part of her clients.
C. Confidentiality and Privacy
The doula should respect the privacy of clients and hold in confidence all information obtained in the course of professional service.
D. Obligation to Serve
The doula should assist each client seeking postpartum support either by providing services or making appropriate referrals.
E. Reliability
When the doula agrees to work with a particular client, the obligation is to do so reliably, to the best of the doula's ability, for the term of the agreement.
F. Fees
When setting fees, the doula should ensure that they are fair, reasonable, considerate, and commensurate with services 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.
III. ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY TO COLLEAGUES
A. Respect, Fairness and Courtesy
The doula should treat colleagues with respect, courtesy, fairness and good faith.
B. Dealing with Colleagues’ Clients
The doula has the responsibility to relate to the clients of colleagues with full professional consideration.
IV. ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY TO THE POSTPARTUM SUPPORT PROFESSION
A. Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession
The doula should uphold and advance the values, ethics, knowledge and mission of the profession.
B. Community Service
The doula is encouraged to assist the DONA International vision of “A Doula For Every Woman Who Wants One” by making reduced cost or no cost postpartum support services available when possible
V. ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY TO SOCIETY
A. Promoting Maternal and Child Welfare
The doula should promote the general health of women and their babies and, whenever possible, that of their family and friends as well.
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