Doula vs. Midwife: Who are They and How can they Support your Pregnancy & Labor?
Choosing the right support during your pregnancy, labor, and postpartum journey is essential. Both doulas and midwives offer valuable expertise, but their roles differ significantly. How do you decide which one is right for you, or if you should have both?
Explore the key differences between doulas and midwives and make an informed choice about the care team that will be by your side every step of the way.
What is a Doula?
A Doula is an individual who provides physical, emotional, and educational support to an expecting mother. A doula can begin to provide support while you are pregnant, helping you navigate pregnancy and help you to create a birth plan.
A doula cannot provide gynecological medical care during your pregnancy, as they do not have access to medical devices or have completed the proper medical training. You also may choose to use the support of a doula only during childbirth. During labor, a doula will help with breathing techniques, offer massages, suggest labor positions, encourage your partner’s participation and give them guidance on how they can best support you. A doula is not medically trained, therefore cannot deliver your baby. Lastly, a doula can provide postpartum support in your home for you and your infant, including lactation support and newborn care.
What is a Midwife?
A midwife is a health care professional who is medically trained. There are different tiers of midwives within the profession, but this article will be referencing the highest level of midwife, a Certified Nurse Widwife who is a registered nurse and has completed at least a master's degree in nursing with a focus on midwifery from an accredited program. A Certified Nurse Midwife can provide gynecological medical care, as well as care during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum. If you choose to have a Certified Nurse Midwife as your medical professional and you have a normal pregnancy and birth, you might not need to be seen by an OB/GYN. Though, at the first sign of complications, your midwife should immediately refer you to an OB/GYN. During labor, Certified Nurse Midwifes can deliver the baby and order any prescriptions you may need; however, they are can only assist a physician during a cesarean section. Lastly, a midwife like a doula has a more holistic and hands-on approach to maternal care. They often spend more time one-on-one with a patient and support natural unmedicated deliveries. They also provide mental and emotional support and breastfeeding or lactation education and assistance. Their postpartum care extends 6-8 weeks after delivery where they focus on your recovery and newborn care. Be sure to do your research about your prospective midwife, ask for their highest form of education or training, state and nursing licensures, and their experience before excepting their care.
Doula vs. Midwife vs. OB/GYN
Required Training and Experience:
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Doula: Training and certifications differ by state. Before selecting your doula, insist that they provide you with their training, certifications, and experience prior to receiving support.
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1. Registered nurse license.
2. Graduate degree either Masters or Doctoral in Nursing.
3. Certificate of completion from an accredited nurse-midwifery education program
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Medical Doctorate with a residency in OB + Gyn
Role throughout pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum:
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Provide advice, techniques, and emotional, physical, and educational support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum
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-Provide routine gynecological care
-Provide medical care for a normal uncomplicated pregnancy
-Deliver a baby vaginally
-Refer you to a doctor
- Routine postpartum medical care
- Lactation education
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-Provide medical care
-Perform surgery (c-sections)
-Manage high-risk pregnancies and labor or complications during all stages of pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum
- All postpartum medical care
Can they deliver your baby vaginally?
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No.
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Yes.
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Yes.
Can they preform home deliveries?
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No, but they will be present for support.
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Yes, for routine deliveries.
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Ob/Gyns mostly perform deliveries in hospital-based settings.
Can they provide medical care for high-risk pregnancies?
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No. Only emotional and physical support.
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No.
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Yes.
Can they be in the delivery room?
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Yes.
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Yes.
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Yes.
When does a Doctor need to get Involved in Pregnancy or Delivery?
Though a CNM is medically trained, they are only able to provide care for non-high-risk pregnancies. Your midwife will immediately refer you to a doctor if your pregnancy is showing signs of being high-risk or having potential complications. During labor and delivery, a doctor will be brought in if any complications occur. Remember, doulas typically do not have formal medical training and are not equipped for sole medical maternal care or delivery.
How do I Choose what Support is Right for Me?
Luckily, all three people can be in the delivery room, supporting you while you give birth.
If you plan on having a home birth, you will need to choose a Midwife as your health care provider.
If you plan on giving birth in hospital, a doctor or a midwife can be selected.
If you have a history of high-risk pregnancy or delivery, you should first see a doctor.
Regardless of where you give birth, a doula is always an option, if you also have the care of a doctor, midwife, or both. If you want someone there, beyond your partner, to support you emotionally and physically, while providing different labor and delivery techniques, consider hiring a doula. A doula knows your birth plan and will be your best advocate during delivery.
What Qualities Should I be Looking For?
First are foremost, choose someone who you trust and who makes you feel comfortable and heard. A doula, midwife, and doctor should respect your opinions and value your input on pregnancy and delivery.
When selecting a midwife or doula, always ask for their experience, certifications, state licenses, and education level. You may also ask them to provide references from women and families they have worked for in the past. Do not be afraid to do your own research before choosing the right support for you.
Whether you choose to have the support of one, or all three, each person can be beneficial in your pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum journey. Your needs are important and unique, so choose based on the level of care you see fit.