What is the Difference Between a Doula and a Midwife?
When I tell people that I am a birth doula, often times people assume that is interchangeable with a midwife. That I attend only home births, and that I am the medical professional.
That couldn’t be further from the truth!
A home birth midwife is medical professional who has been extensively trained (school and practical hours, or thoroughly trained by practicing midwives). They see a birthing person just like an OB would, starting in early pregnancy, every 4 weeks, then up to every week at the end of pregnancy. They are trained in the process of normal birth, and trained to notice when things might be going beyond where a home birth would go. They make the decision to transfer to the hospital if necessary. They are the keepers of safety, and make sure everything goes smoothly medically.
Doulas, on the other hand, are there for labor support. They are not medical professionals, but they are experts in knowledge and information, and how to support a birthing person/family emotionally and physically during the prenatal time, labor itself, and into the postpartum period. Doulas support their clients in home births, as well as birth center births and hospital births (even cesareans!). Your doula is the person who will empower you to ask the right questions, help you stick to your birth plan, and be with you during the emotions surrounding your birth experience.
Can you have a doula instead of a midwife?
No! Well, of course the decision is up to you, but I still recommend that a midwife attend your birth. But doulas and midwives work together remarkably well. A birthing person will be supported to cope and go through labor and birth the best with support from BOTH a doula and a midwife.