What is a monitrice?
A monitrice is a birth professional who blends doula support with additional clinical training and support. A monitrice utilizes clinical training to enhance their skilled doula support. They can offer information such as confirmation of whether your water has broken, listening to fetal heart tones, the position of the baby, checking the vitals of a pregnant person or even checking the dilation of their cervix. The monitrice helps you make choices by giving you the most information about what is happening in your particular labor and birth.
What makes you qualified to provide monitrice services?
Hi, I’m Ash! My clinical experience began when I became certified as an EMT in 2008. I worked as an EMT-Basic for a short time, quickly realizing I wanted to dive deeper. I graduated with my Associates in Emergency Medicine as a Paramedic in 2009. I then worked in the field as an advanced life support provider until deciding to return to birth work. I caught many babies and utilized many skills in my ambulance that are helpful to me in my work now as a monitrice.
Additionally, I began my midwifery education and served as a student midwife from 2016 to 2018, and now I enjoy serving families as an advanced student from January 2023 until the present. I utilize all of these skills daily in my current work and education.
While my clinical education is comprised above, I also bring an extensively experienced eye to the birth room. Since I’ve seen almost 700 babies born, and almost as many labors, I have a keen sense of when labors are normal - and when it might be time to dig deeper.
How do I know if monitrice services are right for me?
Folks who benefit from monitrice support are; first time parents, those who would like to labor at home until late in labor, those with a history of long labors or funky fetal positioning, VBACs, those with more advanced advocacy or support needs, or anyone who anticipates needing a little extra reassurance about whether their labor is progressing normally. Because we don’t know how labor will go - I offer this as an add-on to our doula support package. I also offer limited spots for clients who would like to work with me specifically throughout their entire pregnancy.
As a monitrice, I am different than a midwife because while I can provide you with information that a midwife may give you, I am not telling you what to do with that information or making clinical decisions about your care. I am there to help you labor confidently and assuredly, knowing all the information you can about your circumstance and the decisions available to you. Once it’s time, we head to your place of birth (or call your midwives over) - and I slip into the role of a very experienced doula for the remainder of your birth.
If a monitrice seems helpful for you, the investment is listed below. I work congruently with the Rosemary team to add this service on to our doula package and am present as needed to provide this information alongside their support. I also take a few clients through their entire pregnancy, working specifically with me throughout your whole journey.
RWC doula client add on: $250
Work with me specifically for your doula & monitrice care: $2800 (limited availability - reach out to see if I’m available for your due date).
