Our Monitrice Services:

Your birth experience with a OC Monitrice can include the following:

• A free interview in the comfort of your home
  
• Prenatal visit(s)
  
• 24 hour telephone support
  
• Guaranteed backup
  
• Birth planning and preparation
  
• Labor support in your home, hospital and/or birthing center
  
• Newborn photographs/ video
• At least one postpartum visit
• Checking & assessing maternal vital signs
• Checking & assessing fetal heart rate with a doppler
• If desired, performing a vaginal exam for fetal position, presentation, station, effacement, dilation.
• Observing & assessing the progress of your labor
• Providing information and support to anyone that you consider part of your "birth team".
  
  
  Our rate is flexible and will be discussed on a case by case basis in your free non-obligated interview.

What is a Monitrice?

Monitrice work is very similar to doula work, with a broader range of support options. It means that both Courtney & Sherill have midwifery skills and doula skills wrapped up in one package. We still provide labor support, still provide guidance and reassurance during the intense work of labor, still use all the labor support tools that we had as a doula....but it is a bit more.

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 Cesarean 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%

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.

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"Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing is so gentle as true strength."

~ Ralph Sockman