Hospital-Based Support
Research shows that continuous one-on-one labor and delivery support significantly decreases c-sections and improves birth outcomes. Everyone can benefit from this support, not just those having an out of hospital birth. For those who are planning a hospital birth, I offer an advanced Birth Doula Services (Monitrice services) to provide this same level of one-on-one care.
Experience and Expertise
I prepare women for birth since 2015. During that time I’ve attended over 150 births as a doula and midwife. I have broad experience working with VBACs, twins, and completely unmedicated births to planned c-sections.
Personalized Approach to Care
I recognize that every birthing experience is unique. I take the time to understand your specific needs, preferences, and concerns, tailoring my support to ensure your individual goals are met.
Compassion and Empathy
I am passionate about what I do and approach each client with empathy, respect, and non-judgmental support. I strive to create a safe and nurturing space where you feel heard and supported.
Services
I am dedicated to providing care throughout your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey.
I am here to empower and guide you, ensuring you have a positive and memorable birthing experience.
During your pregnancy, I am available to answer all your questions, provide evidence-based information, and assist you in creating a birth plan that aligns with your desires and preferences. I am here to ensure you feel confident and prepared for the upcoming journey.
I am providing continuous emotional and physical support throughout the entire labor process. I offer comfort measures such as breathing techniques, massage, positioning suggestions, and encouragement to help you navigate the different stages of labor. In addition I perform certain medical tasks, such as monitoring vital signs, assessing fetal heart rate, checking cervical dilation, and performing vaginal exams if necessary. Once we arrive at the hospital, I will continue to support you as a doula until after your baby has been born and you are settled in and breastfeeding well.
I will remain on call for you after your baby has been born to answer any questions you might have. At the postpartum visit, I will check you and your baby’s vital signs; discuss common postpartum concerns like bleeding, diaper counts, weight issues, and sleep; evaluate for postpartum depression if warranted; and make a plan for any areas of concern. We will additionally troubleshoot any breastfeeding difficulties, chat about your birth, and discuss referrals to any resources you may need.
In addition to hands-on support, I provide educational resources to enhance your knowledge and confidence. I offer childbirth education classes, prenatal yoga, and access to a network of trusted professionals in the birthing community. I am committed to empowering you with the information you need to make informed decisions for yourself and your baby.
Advanced Doula Services
$2500
- Access by phone, email, or text throughout your pregnancy.
- Two prenatal sessions in your own home reviewing anatomy and physiology of the birth, mental and physical preparation for birth and postpartum, hospital policies, common procedures, comfort measures for labor, and fetal positioning, among other topics.
- Clinical checkups at your two prenatal visits establish your level of risk and become familiar with you and your baby’s normal vital signs.
- A custom birth plan based on your individual needs and desires.
- On-call phone support in labor.
- In-person support at home from whenever you request my presence until you go to the hospital, and at the hospital until after your baby is born.
- Clinical monitoring of you and your baby while at home, including monitoring of your blood pressure, pulse, and temperature; monitoring of your baby’s heart rate via handheld Doppler; and cervical exams as requested.
- A wide variety of comfort measures and other forms of non-clinical support, depending on your needs in labor.
- Help with breastfeeding immediately after birth.
- One home midwifery postpartum visit to assess for any risk factors, discuss common areas of concern, assist with breastfeeding, discuss your birth, and help you access any resources you may need.
Get a $200 discount from this package if it’s your second or subsequent pregnancy and birth, or if you plan to have a home birth!
F.A.Q
What is a Doula?
According to DONA International, a birth doula is “a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.” Doulas do not perform any medical tasks or interventions but instead provide comfort measures, reassurance, and guidance. Doulas role is non-medical and complementary to the healthcare provider’s role.
What is an Advanced Doula or Monitrice?
Monitrices have dual training in both doula support and midwifery skills. In addition to emotional and physical support, monitrices have the knowledge and ability to perform certain medical tasks, such as monitoring vital signs, assessing fetal heart rate, checking cervical dilation, and performing vaginal exams if necessary. Monitrices can provide a more clinical approach to labor support while still offering the emotional and informational support that doulas provide.
What does Monitrice support in labor look like?
While we are at home I monitor your vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, and temperature, listen to your baby’s heart rate with a handheld Doppler, and perform vaginal exams if requested to determine progress. This allows you to feel safe and comfortable laboring at home without worrying that you will get to the hospital too early or too late in labor. As a midwife, I am trained in normal and abnormal signs in labor; if complications develop, we can immediately head to the hospital.
Who is a good candidate for monitrice services?
Anyone can hire a monitrice, but especially good candidates who:
- Are preparing for their first vaginal birth
- Are planning a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean)
- Have a history of birth or other trauma
- Would like the reassurance of hearing the baby’s heart rate while laboring at home
English