Doula Monitrice & Planned Hospital Birth
What is a monitrice?
A monitrice is a doula with additional medical training that allows her to perform medical tasks that are not normally in the scope of practice of a doula. These tasks may include vital signs, monitoring fetal heart tones, and vaginal exams. The monitrice works as an adjunct to the medical care received by the client’s chosen doctor or midwife. The primary responsibility of the doula monitrice is the emotional and physical comfort of the laboring mother. It is important to keep in mind that although your monitrice will help you obtain the information necessary to make an informed decision, she will not make decisions for you or speak to the staff on your behalf.
As your monitrice, Heather will accompany you in labor to help ensure a safe and satisfying birth experience in the hospital setting.
Why does Heather, a licensed midwife, offer doula monitrice services?
Heather provides doula monitrice services for families who are planning to have a hospital birth and would like to receive the benefits of the Midwifery Model of Care.
Heather began her birthwork in supporting pregnant families as a DONA certified doula in 2003 before becoming a licensed midwife in 2011. She also has the experience of personally birthing her son as well as assisting at other births either at home, birth center or in the hospital. She enjoys the lessons and experience that comes from growing up around birth. Her mother, Gerri, is a DONA Certified Doula Trainer as well as an ASPO/Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (UCSD), so Heather has benefited from her knowledge and expertise through the years.
What is included in doula monitrice services for a planned hospital birth?
Heather draws on her knowledge and experience as well as that of others to provide emotional support, physical comfort and, as needed, communication with the staff to make sure that you have the information you need to make informed decisions as they arise in labor. I can provide reassurance and perspective to you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for comfort. Heather will be your personal support person while your selected physician will be your care provider.
As your monitrice, Heather works for you, not your caregiver or the hospital.
- 1-2 Prenatal visits. This provides an opportunity to get to know each other.
- Help explore ideas, discuss our birthing options, any fears or concerns, and prepare our birth plan.
- Be available for phone consultations about the pregnancy, birth and postpartum issues.
- I am there to provide physical comfort, emotional support and advocacy at the birth location of your choice
- 1-2 postpartum visits during the two weeks following the birth
- Provide encouragement and emotional support, and offer non-medical physical comfort measures for labor and the birth. Example: massage, movement, changing of labor positions, etc.
- Help to maintain a peaceful and calm environment for us, and help to ensure a satisfying and fulfilling birth experience
- Assist us in getting the information and education necessary to make informed medical decisions
- Assist with establishing breastfeeding.
Monitrice Services
- 1-2 prenatal visits
- Continuous labor support at the hospital
- 1-2 postpartum visits during the two weeks following the birth
- Personalized prenatal care throughout pregnancy
- One nutritional visit
- Continuous labor support at the hospital
- A minimum of 3 postpartum visits within the first month
Consult Your Midwife
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