Our primary purpose is to have reliable back up doula support that is sustainable for ourselves, our families and the clients we serve. We want to be able to take vacations and be able to take mental health, or sick days while providing our clients continuous support.


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Did you know that on average doulas burn out by the second year of doing this work? It's easy to get burned out from the 24/7 on-call work. So we decided to form a collective that we can use to support each other, back each other up as needed, collaborate, and so on.

Together, we have a lot of knowledge, training, experience and skills in all things pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Having supported hundreds of families as a collective, we love this "heart" work that doula support requires. We also recognize a need to make this work more sustainable.

We seek to elevate our profession by setting a new standard of self care for doulas, charging sustainable rates, and having high expectations for client care. In this collective model, we're able to provide one another emotional support, reliable back up doula support, and learn from one another.

An added benefit of this collective is that we still have independent businesses but maintain the collective model rather than an agency one.


Back-Up Expectations and Agreements

When a doula agrees to work with a particular client, their obligation is to do so reliably, without fail, for the term of the agreement. All Metro Detroit Birthworkers doulas will support continuity of care by securing a back-up doula in case they are unable to attend a birth. 

MDB doulas are required to have a written agreement with their back-up doula explaining expectations, responsibilities, terms, and fees. Doulas may use their own agreements, or use the Metro Detroit Birthworkers Doula Back-Up Agreement template, as long as all parties agree to it. 

Doulas have the responsibility to relate to the clients of colleagues with the same consideration and respect as their own.  Continuity of care is essential to ensure a positive and supportive experience for clients.  After ensuring that there is informed consent, it is important to convey information about any services provided or client needs that arose, if working collaboratively with another doula’s client.