Terms and Conditions

Ka Monge Doula & Photography Services

Last updated: 28 feb 2025

1. Introduction

These terms and conditions ("Agreement") govern all services provided by Ka Monge ("I", "me", "my"), including doula support, photography services, and breastfeeding counseling. By engaging my services, you ("Client") agree to be bound by this Agreement. Please read it carefully before booking any services.

2. Services Overview

2.1 Doula Services

I offer birth support, postpartum support, and pregnancy guidance as a doula. My role is to provide emotional, physical, and informational support throughout your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period. I am not a medical professional, and my services complement, not replace, care from licensed healthcare providers.

My doula services may include:

  • Pre-birth consultations and birth plan development

  • Continuous support during labor and birth

  • Postpartum support visit

  • Information and resources for pregnancy, birth, and newborn care

  • Assistance with breastfeeding initiation

  • Education courses for childbirth, breastfeeding, postpartum, initiation of complementary feeding

2.2 Photography Services

I offer photography services that may include:

  • Birth photography

  • Maternity photography

  • Newborn photography

  • Family photography

  • Others

  • Summary videos of events such as weddings, sessions, and births

2.3 Breastfeeding Counseling

I provide education and support for breastfeeding mothers. This includes:

  • Basic breastfeeding education

  • Support with common breastfeeding challenges

  • Information about milk supply, pumping, and storage

3. Non-Medical Nature of Services

As a doula and lactation consultant, I provide educational, emotional, and physical support. All services I provide are non-medical in nature. I am not a healthcare provider, midwife, or physician. I do not:

  • Perform clinical or medical tasks

  • Make medical diagnoses or prescribe treatments

  • Make decisions for you

  • Speak on your behalf to healthcare providers

  • Offer medical advice

My role is to support you through information, comfort measures, and advocacy tools, but all medical decisions remain between you and your healthcare providers. If you have health concerns during pregnancy, birth, or postpartum, you should consult appropriate healthcare professionals.

4. Booking and Payment

4.1 Booking Process

To secure my services, the following is required:

  • A completed and signed service agreement

  • A non-refundable booking fee (amount specified in service package)

4.2 Payment Schedule

  • Booking fee: Due upon signing the service agreement

  • Remaining balance: Due 36 weeks of pregnancy for birth services, "before the session" for photography, or "at the time of service" for other services]

  • For postpartum services billed hourly: Payment is due at the end of each session unless otherwise arranged

4.3 Payment Methods

I accept:

  • Bank transfers

  • Cash

  • Paypal

4.4 Invoicing

I will provide digital invoices for all services. For services eligible for insurance reimbursement, I will provide appropriate documentation upon request.

5. Availability and On-Call Period

5.1 Birth Doula Services

For birth doula services, I will be on call for your birth from 37 weeks until birth. During this period:

  • I will be available 24/7 by phone (call, no messages)

  • I will be ready to join you for labor support with reasonable notice

  • I will arrange for a backup doula during pre planned absences or emergencies

5.2 Backup Doula

In the rare event I cannot attend your birth due to illness, emergency, or simultaneous birth:

  • I will arrange for a qualified backup doula

  • The backup doula will provide the same services outlined in this agreement

  • There will be no additional cost to you

6. Cancellation and Refund Policy

6.1 Cancellation by Client

Clients must notify me at least 48 hours in advance for cancellations or rescheduling. For cancellations:

  • The booking fee is non-refundable

  • Cancellations with more than 48 hours notice: Rescheduling may be available at no additional cost, depending on availability

  • Cancellations with less than 48 hours notice: May incur a fee of up to 50% of the service cost, depending on the specific service

  • No-shows: Full payment is required

Note: Cancellation policies may vary depending on the service type and contract specifics. The exact terms will be specified in your individual service agreement.

6.2 Missed Birth

If I miss your birth because:

  • You did not contact me in time

  • You did not follow the notification protocol in our agreement

  • The birth progressed too rapidly

Then:

  • Full payment is still required

  • I will provide two additional postpartum visits as compensation

6.3 Cancellation by Provider

If I cancel services:

  • You will receive a full refund including the booking fee

  • I will attempt to find a suitable replacement provider

7. Transportation and Location

7.1 Travel Costs

  • My fee includes travel up to 40 kilometers from [your location]

  • For distances beyond 40 kilometers, additional charges apply at €0.30 per kilometer

  • Parking fees are the responsibility of the client

  • For births requiring me to be present for more than 12 hours, reasonable accommodation may be requested for overnight stays

8. Photography Terms

8.1 Image Delivery

  • I will deliver a selection of edited images within 4 weeks after the session

  • Images will be provided via digital download.

  • Raw/unedited files are not provided

8.2 Copyright and Usage

  • I retain copyright of all images

  • You receive a license to use the images for personal use

  • If you wish to share images online, please credit Ka Monge

  • For public/commercial use of images, separate written permission and payment is required

8.3 Image Usage and Model Release

  • By default, I will use the images created during our sessions for educational purposes, social media, web contests, portfolio, and promotional materials.

  • If you do not wish for your images to be used for any of these purposes, you must notify me in writing via email.

  • Each contract includes specific terms about image usage for your particular service. Please review these terms carefully.

  • If you initially consent to image usage and later request removal of an image that has already been used for contests or advertising, you will be responsible for covering any expenses I have incurred as a photographer (such as contest entry fees, printing costs, or advertising placement).

  • I will always respect the sensitive nature of birth and postpartum images and use discretion in their public display.

  • For images containing minors, additional consent and approval processes may apply.

9. Confidentiality

I prioritize client confidentiality. All personal and medical information shared with me, whether written or verbal, remains private and secure. I will not disclose your personal information except:

  • With your explicit consent

  • To a backup doula in case of emergency (limited information)

  • When required by legal process or court order

Your privacy is a cornerstone of the trust relationship between us, and I take all reasonable measures to protect your personal information in accordance with GDPR regulations.

10. Liability Limitation

10.1 General Liability

While I endeavour to provide the highest quality of service, I cannot guarantee specific outcomes related to:

  • Birth experiences

  • Breastfeeding success

  • Photography results in challenging environments

  • Slight delays in the delivery of photographic material due to causes beyond control

10.2 Photography-Specific Liability

For photography sessions:

  • I take all reasonable care with equipment and technique

  • In case of technical failure beyond my control, liability is limited to a refund a % or rescheduled session

  • I cannot guarantee specific artistic outcomes or similarity to sample images

11. Client Responsibilities

As the client, you agree to:

  • Provide all relevant health information that may impact the services provided

  • Communicate preferences, concerns, and questions openly

  • Attend scheduled sessions and be present at the agreed time

  • Follow the communication protocol established for birth services

  • Inform your healthcare providers about your decision to use doula services

  • Communicate needs and concerns promptly

  • Provide a safe working environment for service provision in your home

Clear and honest communication is essential for me to provide you with the best possible support.

12. Intellectual Property

All materials I provide, including educational resources, remain my intellectual property. These materials may not be reproduced or shared without permission.

13. Communication

Clear communication is essential. During the on-call period for birth doula services:

  • Call when you think labor has begun

  • Update me about significant changes

  • Allow 2 hour response time for non-urgent communications

  • For urgent matters, call repeatedly until I answer

14. Disputes

In the event of any dispute arising from this Agreement:

  • We agree to first attempt resolution through direct communication

  • If necessary, mediation may be used before pursuing legal action

  • This Agreement is governed by the laws of the Netherlands

15. Term and Termination

This Agreement is effective from the date of signing until the completion of services or termination by either party according to the cancellation terms.

16. Changes to Terms and Conditions

I reserve the right to modify these terms and conditions. Any changes will be communicated to you and will not apply retroactively to services already booked.

17. Acknowledgment

By engaging my services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms and conditions.