A Monitrice is a Midwife who assists a woman who wants to deliver in the hospital.

More than a doula, she goes to the mom's home in early labor and monitors both woman and baby, keeping them safe for as long as mom wants to remain there -or until the Monitrice believes it would be safer in the hospital.

Once everything shifts to the hospital setting, the Monitrice moves to her doula role, remaining with mom as she labors and births her baby.

Once the baby is born, the Monitrice becomes a helpful resource with breastfeeding or new parenting skills.

Monitrice (What is That?)

Be sure that your Monitrice is legally able to take responsibility for you and your baby. Licensed Midwives and some Registered Nurses are able to fulfill this service.

Why would someone hire a Monitrice

instead of a doula?

Some women want to remain home until labor is well-established, minimizing the technological hospital experience. (This is very common with women wanting a VBAC.)

For many of these women, it's vital to keep both mom and baby safe with:

• fetal heart tone monitoring,
  

• checking blood pressure,
  

• monitoring mom's temperature
  

• having vaginal exams as needed
  

• assessing situation if the amniotic sac ruptures
  

• having an experienced, legally responsible, care provider overseeing the home labor... someone who can quickly determine if labor is normal or if more help is needed immediately.
  

Cost for Monitrice services with Barb is $1600. An $800 non-refundable deposit is required to be put on the calendar and the remainder is due by 36 weeks of pregnancy.

This includes:

• Unlimited email, text, phone calls
  

• At least 2 prenatal visits
  

• Developing a birth plan
  

• Monitoring your labor in the home
  

• Shifting to the doula role in the hospital
  

• Remaining at the hospital for approximately 1 hour postpartum
  

• At least 2 postpartum visits
  

New rules might permit some billing of Monitrice/doula services; we are certainly game to try. Billing for obstetric services does not begin until after the birth, therefore full payment is still required up front.

It's important to remember that Monitrice care costs more than doula care because of the legal nature of the work. Barb's license and midwifery skills are being utilized; this is much more than basic doula care

(and contracts reflect as much).