Birth Sling Hire Terms & Conditions

Mother Co PTY LTD trading as Mother Mother Doula
ABN: 97 688 593 017
Email: hey@mothermotherdoula.com
Mobile: 0410 281 161
Website: mothermotherdoula.com

These Birth Sling Hire Terms & Conditions apply to the hire of all Birth Slings and related accessories (“Hire Equipment”) from Mother Co Pty Ltd trading as Mother Mother Doula (“we”, “us”, “our”). By booking, paying for, collecting, accepting delivery of, using, or returning any Hire Equipment, you (“the Hirer”, “you”, “your”) agree to be bound by these Terms.

These Terms apply in addition to our general Website Terms & Conditions, Refund & Cancellation Policy, and any booking confirmation or written agreement issued by us. If there is any inconsistency, the more specific hire terms will apply to the extent of that inconsistency.

Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts or modifies any rights or remedies you may have under the Australian Consumer Law where those rights cannot lawfully be excluded.

1. Hire Details

Standard Hire Period: 4 weeks (28 days)
Refundable Bond: $50.00
Hire Fee (4 weeks): $60.00
Additional Week (7 days): +$20.00, subject to availability

The refundable bond will be processed within 5 business days once the Birth Sling and all included accessories have been returned, inspected, and confirmed to be complete, clean, and undamaged, subject to any deductions permitted under these Terms. Additional banking or card processing time may apply and is outside our control.

Any extension request must be made before the agreed return date and is subject to availability. Early return does not entitle the Hirer to any full or partial refund.

2. What’s Included in Your Hire

Your hire includes:

• 1 x Birth Sling

• 2 x Arm Slings

• 1 x Door Anchor

• 1 x Beam / Branch Anchor

• 1 x Carry Bag

• 1 pack of Birth Sling Labour Positions cards

Colours may vary slightly from digital representations and are subject to availability.

3. Purpose of Hire and General Warning

The Birth Sling is supplied as a non-medical labour comfort and positioning support tool only. It is not a medical device, does not constitute medical advice, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition.

Any information we provide about Birth Sling use is general in nature only and does not replace advice from your midwife, obstetrician, GP, physiotherapist, or other appropriately qualified healthcare provider.

The Hirer is solely responsible for determining whether the Birth Sling is suitable for their own circumstances and for obtaining any professional advice they consider necessary before use.

We do not guarantee that use of the Birth Sling will:

• improve labour progress

• reduce pain

• improve positioning

• avoid intervention

• be suitable for every user

• produce any specific birth outcome

4. Safety

Use of the Birth Sling is undertaken at the Hirer’s own risk.

Mother Mother Doula does not accept responsibility for birthing outcomes, personal injury, or misuse of the Birth Sling.

Based on manufacturer guidance, the user must:

• have a steady gait

• be able to support themselves without assistance

• be able to call for assistance if needed

• keep both feet on the ground at all times

• never use the sling as a swing

• ensure the sling is securely installed according to manufacturer instructions using a safe anchor point capable of supporting the required load

The Hirer is responsible for ensuring the sling is installed and used safely and appropriately at all times.

5. Contraindications

The Birth Sling should not be used if the user has:

• ruptured membranes without engagement of the fetal head

• unstable blood pressure

• impaired balance or any condition affecting safe upright posture

• altered mentation, including dizziness, faintness, or impaired awareness

• any condition requiring bed rest or restricted mobility

If the Hirer is uncertain whether the Birth Sling is appropriate for them, they must seek advice from their midwife, obstetrician, GP, or other qualified healthcare provider before use.

6. Hirer Responsibilities

The Hirer agrees that:

• the Birth Sling will only be used by the person named on the hire form unless we have expressly agreed otherwise in writing

• all safety requirements and contraindications will be followed

• the Birth Sling will only be used for its intended purpose

• the Birth Sling will not be used in a negligent, unsafe, unlawful, or unsuitable manner

• the sling and all accessories will be returned on or before the agreed return date

• return of the sling is the Hirer’s responsibility

• if postage is approved, tracked shipping must be used at the Hirer’s cost, and risk remains with the Hirer until the Hire Equipment has been safely received and inspected by us

• additional hire weeks are charged at $20.00 per week, subject to availability

• no refund will be issued if the sling is unused or the Hirer changes their mind

• the sling will not be lent, sub-hired, transferred, sold, altered, cut, stitched, modified, or otherwise tampered with

• any visible fault, missing item, or issue identified on collection will be reported to us promptly and before use where reasonably possible

7. Returning the Sling

Unless noticeably soiled or contaminated with bodily fluids, the Birth Sling should be returned unwashed.

Mother Mother Doula sanitises all equipment between hires.

If light cleaning is required before return, the following instructions apply:

• low-temperature hand wash only

• no bleach

• do not tumble dry

• air dry only

The Hirer must not attempt heavy cleaning, sanitising, bleaching, machine drying, or any cleaning method likely to shrink, damage, weaken, or alter the sling or accessories.

All Hire Equipment must be returned:

• on time

• complete

• dry

• free from damage beyond fair wear and tear

• free from contamination requiring specialist disposal or replacement

8. Late Returns, Loss, Damage and Replacement Costs

Late returns may incur fees deducted from the bond and, if the bond is insufficient, invoiced separately.

If the Birth Sling or any included components are lost, stolen, not returned, or returned in a condition that makes them unsafe, unhygienic, or unsuitable for future hire, the Hirer may be charged the full replacement cost.

Current replacement cost for the Birth Sling is RRP $210.00, plus replacement cost of any missing or damaged accessories where applicable.

Damage, contamination, or missing components may also incur:

• cleaning fees

• repair fees

• replacement charges

• administrative costs

• loss of future hire income where reasonably incurred

If the cost of cleaning, repair, restoration, or replacement exceeds the bond amount, the Hirer remains liable for the difference.

9. Contamination and Biohazard Waste

If the Birth Sling is grossly contaminated, it may need to be discarded and replaced.

Gross contamination includes circumstances where the item is:

• saturated or dripping

• caked with bodily fluids

• able to release blood or bodily fluids when compressed

• able to flake or shed dried bodily fluids

Where gross contamination occurs, the full replacement fee may be charged.

10. Liability and Indemnity

Mother Mother Doula:

• checks each sling for cleanliness and function prior to hire

• provides general usage information where applicable

• does not guarantee the effectiveness, suitability, or outcome of sling use

To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any injury, incident, adverse event, loss, damage, or claim arising from:

• the use or misuse of the Birth Sling or accessories

• unsafe installation

• use contrary to instructions or manufacturer guidance

• failure to observe contraindications or safety requirements

• the Hirer’s individual health circumstances

• failure to seek appropriate professional or medical advice

• delayed, changed, or restricted birth circumstances

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Hirer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Mother Co Pty Ltd, Mother Mother Doula, Sarah Del Borrello, and our officers, employees, contractors, and agents from and against any claim, liability, loss, cost, damage, or expense arising from the Hirer’s use, misuse, possession, handling, storage, transport, installation, or return of the Birth Sling and all accessories, except to the extent caused by our negligence, fraud, or any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

11. No Guarantee of Outcome

We do not guarantee that use of the Birth Sling will:

• improve labour comfort

• improve labour progress

• reduce intervention

• reduce pain

• improve positioning

• improve birth outcomes in any particular way

Each labour is different and responses to comfort tools vary from person to person.

12. General

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that provision will be read down to the extent necessary or severed, and the remainder of the Terms will continue in full force.

Our failure to enforce any right under these Terms at any time does not waive that right.

These Terms are governed by the laws of Western Australia.

13. Agreement

By proceeding with a Birth Sling hire booking, the Hirer confirms that they have read, understood, and agree to all terms and conditions outlined in this agreement.