"Just as a woman's heart knows how and when to pump, her lungs to inhale, and her hand to pull back from fire, so she knows when and how to give birth.
~Virginia Di Orio

A "Monitrice" is a labor coach and consumer advocate, a labor support person who has special training, usually in nursing, midwifery or related field.  A monitrice is a woman trained to provide support not only during childbirth but also through the course of your pregnancy. These are services outside the scope of a doula but in addition to them. I will also provide relaxation techniques, comfort measures, emotional, physical, and informational support.  

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, unmedicated birth.

Won't my doctor provide the same care as a Monitrice?
A Monitrice will provide comprehensive prenatal care designed to supplement the care by your physician. I will be able to meet with you on a regular basis, to answer questions and address concerns, between your doctor appointments.   My Agreement

I offer prenatal visits in my office located at Well Rounded Momma.  During these visits we will discuss your upcoming birth, how you are feeling, how your baby is doing along with the clinical aspects of blood pressure checks, urinalysis, measuring the growth of your uterus and checking baby's heart rate and position.  Most lab work will need to be done outside of the office and each one I will give you information about each one beforehand so questions can be answered. The visits usually last an hour to give plenty of relaxed time to get to know one another and talk about fears, stresses, dreams and hopes for the remainder of your pregnancy and birth.  My practice offers : 

• Prenatal visits
• Prenatal testing and lab work
• 24-hour on call services for labor and emergent needs
• Privacy and respect for women and their families
• Continuous hands on assistance during labor and birth in a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere
• Waterbirth services
• VBAC support
• Continuity of care with no seperation of mother and baby
• Newborn Exams
• Childbirth Education
• Placenta Encapsulation for postpartum transition
• Well Woman Exams

Prenatal Visits
Monthly visits until 30 weeks
Every 2 weeks until 36 weeks
Weekly until your baby is born
Visits are in a relaxed environment and provide individual care

Waterbirth Services 
I own a La Bassine inflatable birthing tub that is available to my clients during labor. You are responsible for the accessories needed to have a waterbirth in your home. If you are visiting my site and I am not your care provider but you are still interested in water birth and renting a tub please visit  www.birthwaters.com for information on renting a tub like this or the aqua doula birthing tub.

Childbirth Education is extremely important, especially if this is your first baby. The classes are designed to help you understand your rights as a patient, what choices you have during pregnancy and birth, provide resources, and give you tools to help you during your labor. Please visit  www.wellroundedmomma.com for your options in childbirth education classes.