What is a Monitrice and Doula?
While their scope of practice is vastly different, monitrice and doulas are both professionally trained and skilled in supporting you and your partners desires during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. The following lists will explain the difference between monitrice and doula services and will help you decide which option best fits your needs.
Monitrice
Many families want the benefits of laboring at home but want to birth in a birth center or hospital setting.
We support your choice!
A monitrice not only provides doula support in your chosen birth setting, but as a midwife she can also provide a full spectrum of in-home medical care to low-risk clients as they labor. This is a great option for families who feel more comfortable birthing in a medical facility such as a hospital but also want to stay at home as long as possible during active labor
​
WHAT MONITIRICE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
-
all services listed under doula heading are also available through your monitrice
-
unlimited direct calling and texting access to both midwives for questions or concerns in pregnancy and postpartum
-
whole food nutritional guidance
-
discuss your goals for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum and help creating a birth plan
-
on call and available for your birth 24/7 starting at 37 weeks gestation
-
active labor support at home if desired- labor support includes monitoring baby's heart tones and mother's vital signs, palpating baby's position, and cervical checks (if requested)
-
special focus is given to helping partners engage in the labor process to the degree that they desire to be involved
-
breastfeeding support immediately after birth and through postpartum
-
co-care options - because we are certified professional midwives we can work along side your medical facility care provider offering some of your prenatal and postpartum visits at your home. This is especially helpful if your provider is out of town.
Doula
When you, your partner, and your birth wishes are supported you walk away from your experience feeling empowered, confident, and nurtured. Our number one goal is to help you feel secure and in tune with your body during labor.
​
A doula is a necessary part of your birth team regardless of the type of birth planned - medicated birth, non-medicated birth, VBAC, or cesarean. Doulas are specially trained in physical and emotional labor support as well as how to offer educational support and resources to families during birth. As your medical providers handle all your medical needs, your doula helps you and your partner navigate each contraction by providing pain relieving comfort measures based on mom's signs and labor symptoms.
​
WHAT DOULA SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
-
unlimited email access for non-medical questions from time of booking until 4 weeks postpartum
-
prenatal visit to discuss your goals for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum
-
help create a birth plan
-
informational support for you and your partner to prepare you for informed choice options during birth
-
available for your birth starting at 37 weeks gestation
-
labor support at home if desired before transferring to labor at intended birth place- doulas offer pain relieving comfort measures only (relaxation techniques, breathing techniques, massage, acupressure, various labor and birth position suggestion) - doulas support DOES NOT include medical support in the form of vitals, fetal heart tone, or cervical evaluations
-
special focus is given to helping partners engage in the labor process to the degree that they desire to be involved
-
breastfeeding support immediately after birth
-
postpartum visit to discuss your birth, gaze at the baby in your arms that used to be in your belly, and enjoy the memories
Doula services are AMAZING! But don't just take my word for it. Check out these resources and learn more about the benefits of doulas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0slPvUuKlOw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZyyP6AVmJM
https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/
​