Terms & Conditions
Effective Date: July 15, 2026
1. About These Terms
These Terms and Conditions govern your use of the Black River Birth Services website at blackriverbirthservices.com and describe the general terms under which doula services are provided by Black River Birth Services, LLC.
By accessing our website, submitting an inquiry, booking a consultation, or entering into a service agreement with Black River Birth Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
These Terms and Conditions should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference and governs how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.
If you have any questions about these terms please contact us at:
Black River Birth Services, LLC
Tiffany Kahofer, Owner and Lead Doula
Email: info@blackriverbirthservices.com
Phone: 810-712-1310
Website: blackriverbirthservices.com
2. About Black River Birth Services
Black River Birth Services, LLC is a professional doula practice owned and operated by Tiffany Kahofer, a ProDoula Certified Labor Doula, ProDoula Certified Postpartum and Infant Care Doula, and Certified VBAC Specialist. Black River Birth Services serves families in Port Huron, the Blue Water Area, and surrounding Southeast Michigan communities.
Black River Birth Services is an approved Michigan Medicaid doula provider. Services are available to private-pay clients, Medicaid-enrolled clients, and clients using HSA, FSA, or eligible employer benefits such as Carrot.
3. Nature of Doula Services
3.1 Non-Medical Services
Doula services provided by Black River Birth Services are non-medical in nature. Tiffany Kahofer is not a licensed medical provider, nurse, midwife, or physician. Doula support does not replace the care of your obstetrician, midwife, nurse, or any other healthcare provider.
Black River Birth Services does not diagnose medical conditions, prescribe treatments, perform medical procedures, or make clinical decisions regarding the care of any client or baby. All medical decisions remain the sole responsibility of the client and their chosen healthcare provider.
3.2 Independent Contractor Status
Black River Birth Services operates as an independent contractor and is not an employee, agent, or representative of any medical provider, hospital, birth center, facility, insurance company, or Medicaid entity.
3.3 Scope of Practice
Tiffany Kahofer provides support within the professional scope of practice of a certified doula. This includes continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. The doula works in collaboration with the client and supports the client's informed decisions within that scope of practice.
3.4 Emotional Support
Black River Birth Services provides emotional support and comfort measures as part of doula care. Tiffany Kahofer is not a licensed mental health provider and does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions. If concerns arise during the course of services, referrals to qualified mental health professionals may be recommended.
4. On-Call Availability and Labor Support
On-Call Window
Tiffany Kahofer will be on call for labor support beginning at thirty-seven (37) weeks gestation through forty-two (42) weeks gestation. Attendance at births occurring outside of this on-call window is not guaranteed and will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
Early Labor Support
Phone support will be provided throughout early labor. Once active labor has begun, in-person support will be provided as requested by the client via telephone.
Required Method of Labor Communication
Clients must contact Tiffany Kahofer by telephone when labor is believed to have begun. Telephone communication is the only acceptable method for initiating in-person labor support. Text messages, emails, or social media messages are not sufficient to initiate labor support and may result in delayed response or inability to attend.
Arrival Time.
Tiffany Kahofer will make reasonable efforts to arrive within two hours of a telephone request for in-person support, subject to circumstances including weather, traffic, and other active clients.
Routine Communication
Outside of labor, routine communication will occur during business hours of 9:00am to 5:00pm unless otherwise agreed. Delayed or indirect communication during non-business hours may affect availability and response times.
5. Telehealth Services
Prenatal and postpartum support services may be provided either in person or via telehealth including phone calls, video conferencing, or other electronic communication platforms based on client preference, scheduling availability, distance, illness, or other circumstances.
Telehealth prenatal and postpartum support allows for communication, education, and birth planning without requiring in-person attendance. Clients acknowledge that telehealth services are limited to verbal and visual interaction and do not include physical presence or hands-on comfort support.
Telehealth prenatal and postpartum visits are considered a valid form of service delivery. Clients may request in-person support when available; however, availability is not guaranteed.
Telehealth and Insurance Coverage. Telehealth prenatal and postpartum doula services may be covered by Michigan Medicaid when provided in accordance with applicable Medicaid policies and eligibility requirements, subject to program guidelines and verification of eligibility at the time of service. Virtual labor and birth support is not covered by Michigan Medicaid or most insurance plans and is the financial responsibility of the client.
6. Limitation of Liability
Birth is unpredictable and outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Black River Birth Services LLC does not guarantee specific birth outcomes, labor lengths, birth experiences, or the presence of the doula at any particular moment during labor.
Tiffany Kahofer and Black River Birth Services LLC shall not be held liable for the following: actions or decisions of medical providers, nurses, or hospital staff; hospital, birth center, or facility policies that limit doula presence or participation; birth outcomes beyond the doula's control; emergency situations requiring medical intervention; circumstances arising from force majeure as described in Section 10; or any outcomes resulting from the client's own medical decisions or provider recommendations.
Facility Policy Limitations
The client acknowledges that hospital, birth center, or provider policies may limit or restrict the doula's presence or participation during labor, birth, or postpartum recovery. Such limitations do not constitute a failure to perform services and do not alter the terms of any service agreement.
Birth Circumstances
Doula services apply to all birth outcomes and circumstances including but not limited to cesarean birth, planned or unplanned induction, preterm birth, rapid labor, birth occurring outside the anticipated service area, or circumstances that prevent in-person support.
7. Backup Doula Provision
In the event that Tiffany Kahofer is unable to attend a birth due to overlapping births, illness, personal emergency, severe weather, or other circumstances beyond her reasonable control, a qualified backup doula will be offered to provide labor support under the terms of the applicable service agreement.
The backup doula shall be considered a substitute provider. Acceptance of backup doula support fulfills Black River Birth Services LLC's obligation under the service agreement. If a client declines the offered backup doula, services shall be considered rendered.
Clients will be informed of the backup doula arrangement in advance of their due date as part of the prenatal preparation process.
8. Safety and Professional Boundaries
Tiffany Kahofer reserves the right to leave the birth environment if personal safety is compromised. Circumstances that may require the doula to leave include but are not limited to verbal abuse, physical threats, harassment, substance use creating an unsafe environment, or other conditions that compromise the safety or wellbeing of the doula. In such cases services rendered shall be considered fulfilled and no refund will be issued.
Black River Birth Services LLC maintains professional boundaries consistent with the doula scope of practice at all times. Clients are expected to treat Tiffany Kahofer and any backup doula with respect and professionalism throughout the service engagement.
9. Force Majeure
Black River Birth Services LLC shall not be held responsible for failure to provide services due to circumstances beyond reasonable control including but not limited to severe weather, natural disasters, public health emergencies, illness, accidents, travel restrictions, or government-mandated closures. In such circumstances every reasonable effort will be made to arrange alternative support including backup doula coverage or telehealth support where appropriate.
10. Confidentiality
Black River Birth Services LLC is committed to protecting the confidentiality of all client information. Medical and personal information obtained during the course of doula services is treated with the highest level of care and confidentiality.
All information shared by clients during prenatal sessions, labor support, and postpartum visits is kept strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to third parties except in the following circumstances: when necessary to secure a qualified backup doula for the client; when required by applicable law or valid legal process; when the client has provided explicit written consent; or when disclosure is necessary to protect the safety of the client, baby, or others.
Client information may be used to maintain internal records and prepare professional documentation related to doula services provided. All information is handled in accordance with the confidentiality and privacy standards described in our Privacy Policy available at blackriverbirthservices.com/privacy-policy.
11. Illness, Exposure, and Health and Safety
Clients agree to notify Tiffany Kahofer immediately of any known or suspected contagious illness, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory illness, or recent household exposure to contagious illness prior to any scheduled visit or labor support.
If Tiffany Kahofer determines that in-person support presents a health risk due to illness or exposure, she may decline in-person attendance and may offer telehealth support at her discretion. In such cases services shall be considered rendered under the applicable service agreement.
Clients also agree to notify Tiffany Kahofer promptly of any changes to their due date, scheduled induction dates, scheduled cesarean, or provider recommendations that may affect scheduling and availability. Failure to provide timely notice may limit doula availability.
12. Cancellations and Appointments
Clients are requested to provide at least twenty-four (24) hours notice whenever possible if a scheduled prenatal or postpartum appointment must be canceled. Clients who miss a scheduled appointment without prior notice have forty-eight (48) hours to contact Tiffany Kahofer to reschedule.
If a client fails to contact Tiffany Kahofer within forty-eight (48) hours of a missed appointment, or misses more than three (3) scheduled appointments without prior communication, Black River Birth Services LLC reserves the right to discharge the client from care. Discharge will be communicated in writing.
Discharge from care due to cancellations or failure to communicate does not relieve the client of financial obligations under any applicable service agreement.
13. Social Media and Photography
Black River Birth Services LLC respects client privacy with respect to social media and photography. General non-identifying status updates related to doula work may be posted on social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram. All other information including client names, baby names, birth details, and birth photographs will only be shared with explicit written client permission.
Tiffany Kahofer may photograph or video record during labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum period only with the client's explicit written consent, obtained through the applicable service agreement. Images and recordings taken with client consent may be used for educational, informational, and promotional purposes related to doula services including websites, social media, and educational materials.
Clients who grant consent for photography or social media sharing acknowledge that Black River Birth Services LLC cannot control how content shared on social media may be further disseminated, shared, reposted, or used by third parties.
14. Michigan Medicaid and Insurance
Black River Birth Services LLC is an approved Michigan Medicaid doula provider. Clients using Michigan Medicaid for doula services acknowledge that coverage is subject to active eligibility on the date services are rendered, applicable program guidelines, administrative and documentation requirements, and reimbursement rates established by the State of Michigan.
Medicaid coverage, eligibility, prior authorization requirements, and reimbursement determinations are made solely by Michigan Medicaid or the applicable managed care plan, not by Black River Birth Services LLC. We make every reasonable effort to assist clients in navigating the coverage process but cannot guarantee that services will be covered, reimbursed in full, or reimbursed at all.
Clients are strongly encouraged to verify their coverage directly with their Medicaid plan or insurance provider prior to services being rendered. Failure to verify coverage may result in the client being financially responsible for services provided.
For detailed information about how Michigan Medicaid covers doula care, visit our Medicaid coverage guide at blackriverbirthservices.com or read our full guide on Michigan Medicaid doula coverage on our blog.
15. Website Use
Permitted Use. This website is provided for informational purposes about Black River Birth Services LLC and the doula services offered. You may use this website to learn about our services, read our blog content, contact us, and book consultations.
Prohibited Use. You may not use this website for any unlawful purpose or in any way that could damage, disable, or impair the website. You may not attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the website or any systems connected to it.
Intellectual Property. All content on blackriverbirthservices.com including text, blog posts, images, graphics, logos, and other materials is the intellectual property of Black River Birth Services LLC unless otherwise noted. You may not reproduce, copy, distribute, or use any content from this website for commercial purposes without express written permission from Black River Birth Services LLC.
You may share links to our blog content and pages for non-commercial purposes with appropriate attribution to Black River Birth Services LLC.
Accuracy of Information. The information on this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, legal, or financial advice. While we make every effort to keep information current and accurate, we make no warranties regarding the completeness or accuracy of any content on this website.
16. Third-Party Links and Resources
Our website and blog content may contain links to third-party websites including hospital websites, research organizations, and external resources cited in our educational content. These links are provided for informational purposes only.
Black River Birth Services LLC does not endorse, control, or take responsibility for the content, privacy practices, or accuracy of any third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies and terms of any third-party websites you visit through links on our site.
17. Disclaimer of Warranties
This website and the information contained on it are provided on an as-is basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Black River Birth Services LLC does not warrant that the website will be uninterrupted or error-free, that defects will be corrected, or that the website or the server that makes it available are free of viruses or other harmful components.
18. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
Any dispute arising out of or related to these Terms, the website, or the doula services provided by Black River Birth Services LLC will first be addressed through good faith direct communication between the parties. If a dispute cannot be resolved through direct communication, the parties agree to attempt mediation before pursuing any other legal remedy.
Any legal action arising from these Terms shall be brought in the appropriate courts of St. Clair County, Michigan. The prevailing party in any such action shall be entitled to recover reasonable legal fees and costs.
19. Severability
If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable under applicable law, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable while preserving the original intent of the provision.
20. Entire Agreement
These Terms and Conditions, together with our Privacy Policy at blackriverbirthservices.com/privacy-policy and any applicable service agreement signed by the client, constitute the entire agreement between the client and Black River Birth Services LLC regarding the subject matter herein.
These Terms supersede all prior discussions, representations, or agreements whether oral or written regarding website use and general service terms. No verbal statements or prior communications shall modify or override these Terms unless agreed to in writing by both parties.
21. Changes to These Terms
Black River Birth Services LLC reserves the right to update or modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. When changes are made the effective date at the top of this page will be updated. We encourage you to review these Terms periodically.
Continued use of this website or engagement with our services following any changes to these Terms constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, please discontinue use of this website and contact us to discuss your service arrangement.
22. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact us:
Black River Birth Services LLC
Tiffany Kahofer CD-L, CD-PIC, C-VBACS, CBE
Owner and Lead Doula
Email: info@blackriverbirthservices.com
Phone: 810-712-1310
Website: blackriverbirthservices.com
Service Area: Port Huron, Michigan and surrounding Blue Water Area communities
These Terms and Conditions were last updated on July 15, 2026. Black River Birth Services LLC reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Continued use of our website or services constitutes acceptance of the current Terms.