What Is a Doula Monitrice?
A doula monitrice is a licensed midwife who serves as your birth doula in the hospital. Unlike a traditional doula, a monitrice brings both emotional support and clinical expertise into the birth space.A monitrice can provide early labor support at home, assess maternal and fetal well-being, monitor labor progress, offer clinical insight and guidance, support informed decision-making, collaborate with your hospital care team, provide comfort measures and positioning, advocate for your birth preferences, offer emotional grounding.
What We Offer
Home Labor Assessment & Hospital Transfer
One of the most valuable aspects of monitrice care is the ability to begin support at home.
During early labor, we come to you and provide:
• Maternal assessment
• Fetal heart tone monitoring
• Labor progress evaluation
• Comfort measures and positioning
• Emotional reassurance
• Guidance on timing your hospital arrival
Care Package
Comprehensive Monitrice Package - $5,000
This all-inclusive package provides clinical-level support beginning in pregnancy and continuing through your postpartum transition.
Payment plans available.
Superbill available upon request for potential insurance reimbursement.
What Monitrice Care Includes
• Four prenatal birth planning visits
• Personalized labor preparation & education
• On-call availability beginning at 37 weeks
• Early labor home assessment (maternal + fetal evaluation)
• Continuous labor support at home and hospital
• Clinical guidance, comfort measures & advocacy
•Immediate postpartum support (including feeding guidance)
• Two postpartum follow-up visit + birth debrief
Frequently asked questions
We understand that preparing for breastfeeding or navigating feeding challenges with your newborn, often comes with questions. Our FAQ section is here to provide clarity and reassurance
What is the difference between a doula and a monitrice? ∨
A traditional doula provides emotional and physical labor support but does not offer clinical assessment.
A monitrice is a licensed midwife who serves as your birth doula — providing both continuous emotional support and clinical expertise. A monitrice can assess labor progress, monitor maternal and fetal well-being, and offer medical insight while supporting your hospital birth.
You receive the heart of a doula with the skill of a midwife.
Do you replace my OB or hospital midwife? ∨
No. Your OB or hospital midwife remains your primary medical provider.
Your monitrice works alongside your hospital team, offering continuous support, advocacy, education, and clinical insight throughout labor and birth.
What does home labor assessment mean? ∨
Your monitrice comes to your home in early labor to evaluate both you and your baby. This includes:
- Maternal assessment
- Fetal heart tone monitoring
- Labor progress evaluation
- Comfort measures
- Guidance on when to go to the hospital
This allows many families to labor longer at home while knowing their baby is being carefully monitored.
Will you come to the hospital with us? ∨
Yes. Once it is time to transfer to the hospital, your monitrice accompanies you and remains with you for continuous labor and birth support. You will have familiar, trusted support from home through delivery.
When should I book monitrice care? ∨
Most families book between 20–30 weeks of pregnancy to ensure availability. Monitrice care is limited due to on-call scheduling.
What hospitals do you attend? ∨
We attend births throughout San Diego County, including Scripps, Sharp, UCSD, Kaiser, and Palomar hospitals.
Do you provide postpartum care after birth? ∨
Yes. Your package includes immediate postpartum support and a follow-up visit to debrief your birth and support early feeding.
Do you accept insurance for monitrice services? ∨
Monitrice services are offered as a private-pay package and are not typically covered by insurance. However, we can provide invoices and documentation for potential reimbursement through employer benefits or wellness programs.
What if I need a cesarean birth? ∨
Your monitrice continues to support you emotionally and clinically through labor, cesarean birth, and immediate postpartum recovery whenever possible under hospital policies.
Do you attend VBACs? ∨
Yes. We support families planning vaginal birth after cesarean and provide additional education, preparation, and advocacy.
What if my labor is very long? ∨
Your package includes continuous support throughout your labor and birth, regardless of length.
What if I go into labor early? ∨
Your on-call window and backup planning will be reviewed during prenatal visits to ensure you are supported in a wide range of scenarios.
Do you have backup support? ∨
Yes. In the rare case of an emergency or conflict, a qualified backup monitrice will be arranged.
How do payment plans work? ∨
We offer flexible payment plans to make monitrice care accessible. Payment plans are discussed during your consultation.
How do I get started? ∨
Start by booking a complimentary consultation to see if monitrice care is the right fit for your family.