What is a Monitrice?
A monitrice is similar to a doula, in that she is trained to provide support to a couple during labor. Unlike a doula, however, a monitrice receives additional training that enables her to provide clinical assessments during labor, including blood pressure, fetal heart tones, and vaginal exams. These additional skills can benefit a mother who wishes to remain at home as long as possible during labor, minimizing the amount of time she spends in the hospital prior to the birth of her baby. Having a labor attendant who is able to check cervical dilation and effacement, and to monitor the baby's heart tones, enables the mother to labor at home with confidence, knowing that her baby is handling labor well, and that she will arrive at the hospital neither sooner than she wishes, nor too late.
A monitrice provides the same emotional, physical, and informational support as a doula during labor, so there is no need for a mother to hire both a doula and a monitrice. A monitrice does not, however, assist in the birth of the baby; for this a mother would need to hire a midwife.
Studies have shown that when mothers have professional birth attendants, whether doula or monitrice, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.
What about my doctor?
Some care providers are more supportive than others. A monitrice will provide comprehensive prenatal care designed to supplement the care by your physician. Available upon request is a referal list of care providers I recommend that are fully supportive of natural birth and mom’s choices in labor and birth.
What Clients are Saying...
We were referred to Alison by our Hypnobirthing instructor. She thought
that Alison would be a good fit for my husband and I. She was right!
Alison did a wonderful job at listening to our birth wishes and helping
us stay
as true to them throughout the end of my pregnancy and our daughter's birth.
Alison followed through on every detail and was never too busy or preoccupied with anything else to take a random phone call or question.
We also hired Alison for her monatrice services and are glad that we did. She was always more than willing to help with prenatal care suggestions and is very knowledgeable in her field.
We are excited to use Alison and her services someday again!!
We hired Alison as our Doula and we could not be happier with
the experience. She met and exceeded all of our expectations. From
a father and birth partner's perspective I was very impressed with
all that Alison did. She gave me (and my wife) the support and
confidence that we needed. Being a first time dad I had no idea
what I was doing and what to expect, but Alison walked us through
the whole process both before and during the birth. I felt valued
as part of the birth process and I never felt replaced. We were
both able to relax and let nature take it course. I would not want
to go through a birth without a Doula especially one as good as
Alison. The peace of mind I received from Alison being there during
our birth was priceless. I cam convinced the birth would not have
gone as easily and smoothly if she was not there. It was an amazing
experience and Alison was a huge parts of making that happen.
