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I am grateful to all of those families whose births I attended as a doula. I have had to make a tough decision to move out of my role as a doula and work as a midwife and a monitrice.
What does that mean? You can still hire me as a monitrice. Monitrice work is very similar to doula work, with a broader range of support options. It means that I have my midwifery skills and my doula skills wrapped up in one package. I still provide labor support, still provide guidance and reassurance during the intense work of labor, I still use all the labor support tools that I had as a doula....but it is a bit more.
What is a Doula/Montorice?
A "Monitrice" is a labor coach and consumer advocate, a labor support person who has special training, usually in nursing, midwifery or related field as well as specific doula training. She provides physical, emotional and informational support to the expectant mother and her partner during labor, delivery and in the postpartum period. Studies prove that having a skilled birth attendent present at birth, a woman's labors are shorter, they have fewer medical interventions, fewer cesareans and healthier babies. Evidence also suggests that women are more satisfied with their birth experience when a doula/doula is present and fathers stay more involved with their partner and baby.
Research Indicates that having a doula/montrice can:
* Decrease in C-sections rates by 50%
* Decrease in labor length by 25%
* Decrease in pitocin use by 40%
* Decrease in requests for pain meds by 30%
* Decrease in forcepts use by 40%
* Decrease in use of epidurals by 60%
Services I provide as a Monotrice
*I am available 24 hours by phone for questions re. prenatal care, labor signs, postpartum care etc...
* I come to your home
* I help you in labor with pain management and coping methods ie: the birth ball, Yoga Birthing, walking, changing positions for back labor and pain relief, hot and cold compresses, accupressure, reflexology, massage, water therapy, soothing and encouraging words, soothing music of your choice, and maintaining a calm and peaceful birthing atmosphere.
* I act as your support in a hospital birth, working with other supporting hospital staff so that your physical and philosophical choices are met with respect and implemented compassionately.
* I am with you continually throughout your labor and for 2 hours after the birth of your baby.
* I will visit you, at least once, postpartum.
* I check maternal vital signs.
* I check fetal heart rate with a doppler
* If desired perform a vaginal exam for fetal position, presentation, station, effacement, dilation and possible membrane rupture.
* I will observe the progress of your labor.
* I will remain present during the more active phases of labor and through delivery.
* I will recommend measures which can help alleviate pain in specific situations.
* I will periodically throughout labor make further fetal and maternal assessments.
* I will accompany you to at least one prenatal appointment with your care provider, one in home consultation and 2 other prenatal visits
* As part of my services I offer Birthing From Within classes as well
* I provide information and support anyone that you consider part of your "birth team".
More about Monitrice work:
As a Monitrice, I can provide services that are outside the scope of a doula. These services can begin anytime after the first trimester.
In my private practice, I work with couples, or single moms, who prefer a labor support person with medical and more extensive educational background. I can also provide relaxation techniques, visualization and exercise programs, individually designed to fit the needs of the individual mom or couple. I will monitor blood pressure, but will not make clinical assessments or decisions for you. If you are planning a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC), or have any medical or emotional concerns, this program may be what you are looking for.
Who needs a Monitrice?
Every pregnant woman can benefit from the experienced support of a Monitrice during pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period. A Monitrice is particularly useful for first-time mothers, women having a VBAC, and women who have strong negative associations with previous births. A Monitrice is also useful for couples who desire a natural, un-medicated birth.
What does that mean? You can still hire me as a monitrice. Monitrice work is very similar to doula work, with a broader range of support options. It means that I have my midwifery skills and my doula skills wrapped up in one package. I still provide labor support, still provide guidance and reassurance during the intense work of labor, I still use all the labor support tools that I had as a doula....but it is a bit more.
What is a Doula/Montorice?
A "Monitrice" is a labor coach and consumer advocate, a labor support person who has special training, usually in nursing, midwifery or related field as well as specific doula training. She provides physical, emotional and informational support to the expectant mother and her partner during labor, delivery and in the postpartum period. Studies prove that having a skilled birth attendent present at birth, a woman's labors are shorter, they have fewer medical interventions, fewer cesareans and healthier babies. Evidence also suggests that women are more satisfied with their birth experience when a doula/doula is present and fathers stay more involved with their partner and baby.
Research Indicates that having a doula/montrice can:
* Decrease in C-sections rates by 50%
* Decrease in labor length by 25%
* Decrease in pitocin use by 40%
* Decrease in requests for pain meds by 30%
* Decrease in forcepts use by 40%
* Decrease in use of epidurals by 60%
Services I provide as a Monotrice
*I am available 24 hours by phone for questions re. prenatal care, labor signs, postpartum care etc...
* I come to your home
* I help you in labor with pain management and coping methods ie: the birth ball, Yoga Birthing, walking, changing positions for back labor and pain relief, hot and cold compresses, accupressure, reflexology, massage, water therapy, soothing and encouraging words, soothing music of your choice, and maintaining a calm and peaceful birthing atmosphere.
* I act as your support in a hospital birth, working with other supporting hospital staff so that your physical and philosophical choices are met with respect and implemented compassionately.
* I am with you continually throughout your labor and for 2 hours after the birth of your baby.
* I will visit you, at least once, postpartum.
* I check maternal vital signs.
* I check fetal heart rate with a doppler
* If desired perform a vaginal exam for fetal position, presentation, station, effacement, dilation and possible membrane rupture.
* I will observe the progress of your labor.
* I will remain present during the more active phases of labor and through delivery.
* I will recommend measures which can help alleviate pain in specific situations.
* I will periodically throughout labor make further fetal and maternal assessments.
* I will accompany you to at least one prenatal appointment with your care provider, one in home consultation and 2 other prenatal visits
* As part of my services I offer Birthing From Within classes as well
* I provide information and support anyone that you consider part of your "birth team".
More about Monitrice work:
As a Monitrice, I can provide services that are outside the scope of a doula. These services can begin anytime after the first trimester.
In my private practice, I work with couples, or single moms, who prefer a labor support person with medical and more extensive educational background. I can also provide relaxation techniques, visualization and exercise programs, individually designed to fit the needs of the individual mom or couple. I will monitor blood pressure, but will not make clinical assessments or decisions for you. If you are planning a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC), or have any medical or emotional concerns, this program may be what you are looking for.
Who needs a Monitrice?
Every pregnant woman can benefit from the experienced support of a Monitrice during pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period. A Monitrice is particularly useful for first-time mothers, women having a VBAC, and women who have strong negative associations with previous births. A Monitrice is also useful for couples who desire a natural, un-medicated birth.