Difference between a the roll of a Monitrice and Doula…

A doula does not perform clinical tasks.  A monitrice offers clinical judgement, where as a doula is not allowed too.  Someone providing monitrice service is a nurse, midwife or midwife student. Someone with training in medical and midwifery care. However, once your Montrice gets to the hospital then they become the role of your doula. This is a wonderful option for women that would like to be monitored and labor at home as long as possible, but deliver in the hospital or birth center setting.

​What does a Monitrice do?

Prenatal visits. 

We will discuss your goals for labor and birth.

We will create a birth plan.

We will work on relaxation techniques, comfort positions, and holistic remedies for comfort.

We will discuss the role you would like your Montrice to play at your birth.

A basic over view of childbirth, and the postpartum period.

They will help assist you and your partner to make informed decisions.

They will be taking your vital signs, listen to heart tones, palpating baby’s position, and upon your request cervical checks (only at term and if requested). 

24/7 on call beginning 4 weeks before your EDD, and 4 weeks after your birth. During Labor I will provide support, help your partner with comfort measures during labor and birth. 

You can also rent a tub by request to labor at home in. 

Postpartum visits.

​Chest feeding support. 

The scope of work for a monitrice is different from both doula and a midwife in the following ways:

• Monitrice Services are only to assess normal progress in labor; not for medical treatment or diagnosis. I do not offer medical advice or diagnosis.
• Monitrice Services are outside the scope and practice of Doulas.
• They will not act as your midwife. You still need a primary care provider.
• They can offer information and resources on non-allopathic treatments for a healthy pregnancy.
• They will attend your hospital or birth center birth as your doula, but cannot offer clinical support once there. Since they do not provide medical advice or diagnosis, they will not speak to the hospital staff about your medical care on your behalf.
• They provide emotional and physical support for you and other members of your birth team, as I do for all my doula clients.

Monitrice services include the following:

• Unlimited Email and Text support
• Meet with you 2-3 times to get to know you and your individual wants/needs.
• Provide herbal/nutritional counseling to help you keep your pregnancy low-risk.
• Be on call for you from 37 weeks gestation on.
• Access to the client portal of educational resources.

• Join you when you are ready for labor support at home as a monitrice and at the hospital as your doula.
• Provide birth doula support at the birth location as your doula.
• Help you with the transition from home to hospital.
• Provide emotional, physical, or other support to you and other members of your birth team.

• Stay with you until chest feeding is established.
• Help arrange a meal for you.
• Home visit 3-4 days postpartum to help you determine if there are any complications that may require medical attention. During this visit, I can help assess chest feeding, weigh baby, and provide other consultation or resources to help establish a healthy relationship.
• 4 hours of postpartum doula support.