Doula vs. Midwife

One of the most common responses I get when I tell people I’m a doula is “Oh, isn’t that like a midwife?”

In some ways they’re right. We both work with people during the childbearing year (the childbearing year is the duration of pregnancy and the first 3 months postpartum). The main difference, however, is that midwives are medical care providers while doulas provide physical and emotional support, advice, and education.

The term ‘doula’ is used to describe both birth doulas and postpartum doulas. Birth doulas support families during pregnancy and labor, while postpartum doulas help families after baby arrives. Some doulas offer both types of support, others specialize in one.

Doulas are not medical professionals. We don’t provide any medical care during pregnancy and we don’t offer postpartum wellness visits. We don’t diagnose medical conditions or write prescriptions. These are things that your midwife or doctor can do for you. We are, however, experts on pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. We will be there for you 100% and walk with you through this exciting and challenging time. We can answer your questions as your body changes during pregnancy. We can help you make a shower gift registry and tell you whether that vibrating bassinet that connects to your iPhone is actually worth the $1000 (hint: they usually aren’t!). We can help you write a plan for your birth and discuss your fears. We can share your joy and take photographs after your baby is born. We can sit right beside you on your couch and help you with breastfeeding techniques when your sleep deprived brain can’t read one more book on ‘perfect latch technique.’ We can hold your baby while you sleep, make you a warm meal (and do the dishes!) or teach you how to wear your baby so you can both get out of the house and take a walk around the block.

Even if you have a hospital birth or a birth center birth we, as doulas, will come to your home. Birth doulas will come for prenatal visits and one or two postpartum visits in your home. Postpartum doulas will come to your home for a number of weeks or months after you give birth. If you prefer virtual care during COVID-19, many doulas also offer support remotely via phone or video chatting. Whether in person or virtually, we will be by your side to provide non-judgmental support that is entirely specific to you and your family!

So what do midwives do then? Are they like my Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN)? In short, yes! Midwives are trained medical professionals who can provide medical care during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period just like an obstetrician can. They can also offer well-woman care, diagnosis and treatment of gynecological issues, yearly check-ups, and fertility counseling just like gynecologists can. Therefore, it is perfectly possible that a person could go through their entire fertile lifespan seeing only a midwife for all their reproductive care. While OB/GYNS are experts in gynecological surgeries, high-risk pregnancies, and surgical births, midwives are experts in physiological births, in routine births, and in pregnancies with no underlying conditions. Some midwives deliver babies at home and some midwives work in hospitals, clinics, or birth centers. Midwives have different certifications and education so it’s important to do your research and pick the type of midwifery practice that is right for you.

Whether you choose to work with a midwife or a doctor and whether you choose to have a birth doula, postpartum doula, neither or both: the most important thing is that you feel supported, listened to, and respected, and that you have a birth and postpartum care team that uplifts and believes in you!