What is the difference between a doula & a midwife?
ByAlso, what does a doula do that a midwife doesn’t and vice versa? I am not pregnant, but I want to give birth naturally. My cousin just gave birth naturally and she had a doula and I was wondering what is the difference between that and a midwife.
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5 Comments
April 6th, 2010 at 5:20 am
A midwife is the one who actually provides the ‘medical’ support for your pregnancy and labor. She does prenatal exams and monitors you during labor and, if necessary, treats complications or refers you to a doctor for care.
A doula offers emotional support during labor. She is NOT a substitute for a midwife or doctor, but is hired in addition to one. (There are also post-partum doulas who come to your home after baby arrives to help with breastfeeding and baby care — and, again, offer emotional support during those early days.)
April 6th, 2010 at 6:00 am
A doula is an assistant and advocate for you with your doctor, the hospital, etc., while you’re in labor. They make sure that you’re comfortable, that everyone is following your birthing plan, and they can talk to people (doctors, nurses, administrators, etc.) on your behalf.
A midwife is a trained medical professional (they are often a registered nurse) who handles the actual labor and birth. Many women have a midwife attend them during labor instead of a doctor.
April 6th, 2010 at 6:09 am
Hi! In answer to your question, a Doula is the one that provides emotional support and coaching to the woman in labor. She is there to help the mother focus, relax, and enjoy the birthing experience, to embrace it so to speak. She is also there to provide the partner (dad) with a chance to experience the birth in a different way too, as he can focus on what’s going on and not just strictly on the woman’s needs…which I think is a great idea.
A Midwife is the one that would perform any medical tasks. She would check your cervix, catch the baby, assess you and the child, etc. She is responsible for knowing when there is a problem, etc.
In my humble opinion, both are great. If you are looking to give birth at home, I recommend hiring both…if you plan to deliver in a hospital or birthing center, you probably only need the doula, as the facility would provide you with the medical staff. A doula does not test anything, or provide any medical intervention, so I recommend having a midwife at home as opposed to a doula if you can’t have both
In any case, congrats on your decision and don’t let anyone tell you you can’t when that time comes for you!
April 6th, 2010 at 7:06 am
A midwife is there to deliver the baby and monitor the health and well-being of you and your baby during the birth. Accredited midwives are certified and generally have the option of delivering in the home or at a hospital. Non-accredited midwives traditionally will delivery your baby within your home or theirs.
A doula is an additional support during labor, who is experienced in childbirth. They are there to offer you physical care, emotional support, massage, meditation, and to help with breathing exercises and changing positions. They will continually attend to the mother during the birth, and may also act as a labor coach.
April 6th, 2010 at 7:27 am
Everyone has given great answers about the difference between midwives and doulas. I am 39 weeks pregnant with our 1st, a girl, and we are planning on delivering at a birth center. If you want to give birth naturally in a hospital, I recommend having a doula on hand. The medical staff is not always willing to let a mother birth naturally and might eventually wear down your resolve to do so with the offer of pain relief…epidurals and such…and sometimes the more interventions you use, the more you need. Sometimes epidural lead to unnecessary C-sections. A doula could help you stick to your plan. A great book that I’m reading right now is called Birthing From Within. My husband and I also took the Birthing From Within birthing classes. Well worth it! At the birthing center they do have the pain reliever Nubain on hand, don’t know if I’ll use it. I have my sister in law ready to do massage on me for pain relief.