A doula is like a midwife, right?

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When I had my second child, I chose to hire a doula for my hospital birth. Many people were confused by why I would hire a “kind of midwife” if I already had a doctor. I would then try and explain what a doula is. I hope I explained their roles well in those days, but today I want to better explain what a doula and a midwife’s roles are and what you can expect from each.

A doula will tell people they "support the pregnant person with emotional, educational, and physical support during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum”, but what does this mean?

A doula will meet with the pregnant person and their partner during pregnancy 1-3 times. During these times, a doula will offer resources the pregnant person may need such as breastfeeding support; nutritional resources, like WIC offices or food banks; labor techniques, such as natural labor support and medicinal labor support; and various pregnancy resources, like chiropractors, childbirth education, and message therapists.

Doulas will help the pregnant person make a birth plan by offering education on various aspects of the birth plan. The doula will also go over what the pregnant person wants the doula to do to help them during labor which includes things like counter-pressure, different positions to labor and deliver in, and relaxation techniques such as acupressure points and breathing techniques.

During labor and delivery, a doula is present from the time a laboring person request their doula. A doula will help the laboring person into positions for comfort. The doula will also encourage the partner to assist the laboring person if that’s what the partner and pregnant person wants. The doula will also help the laboring person with aromatherapy and different comfort techniques. If the laboring person gets an epidural, the doula then helps the laboring person into different positions and offer them emotional support. The doula also offers education on different medical interventions being offered so the pregnant person can make informed decisions.

As you can see, the doula is there to assist the pregnant person and their partner with their wishes during pregnancy and labor. The doula makes no medical decisions for the pregnant person. They only offer education and resources so the pregnant person can advocate for themselves.

A midwife is a trained medical professional. They either hold a bachelor's degree in nursing and a master’s degree followed by becoming licensed by the state they will work in or they will take schooling and apprentice for 3-5 years followed by becoming licensed. Midwives offer fertility counseling and annual checkups before pregnancy. During pregnancy, they will offer medical services like blood pressure checks, growth of baby, and listening to baby’s heartbeat. They will care for the health of the pregnant person and their baby. Midwives can work in a home setting, birth center, or hospital. They offer a more holistic care of the pregnant person. Many times, midwives will ask for food and sleep logs to ensure the pregnant person is as healthy as they can be.

During labor and delivery, a midwife will stay in contact with the pregnant person to determine when their help is needed. Once the midwife recognizes active labor, they will either come to the person’s home or meet the pregnant person at the birth center or hospital. During labor, the midwife will focus on the clinical aspects of labor and delivery. They will monitor baby’s heartbeat, monitor the pregnant person’s blood pressure, and ensure the safety of mom and baby. After delivery, midwives will assist with breastfeeding, monitor health of baby, and facilitate delivery of placenta.

While midwives do many of the roles of a doula, they are medical professionals who must ensure the health of mom and baby. A doula can focus on the emotional and physical well-being of a pregnant person. A doula will stay with the pregnant person throughout their labor and delivery. A doula compliments a midwife or a doctor. They are one part of the birth team.

I am hoping this clarifies the roles of a midwife versus a doula. Did you learn anything about each of these professionals? What else would you like to know about doulas or midwives? Leave your questions below!