Doula vs. Midwife
Physicians, midwives and nurses all play their own important part in the clinical health of the mother and baby. Doulas compliment this care by providing non-medical care. While most people think they have similar functions, doulas and midwives actually have different training, duties, and certifications. A doula and a midwife offer different types of services.
Both doula and midwife support the childbirth experience. They are at the labouring mother’s side. They bring a spirit of connection that includes all the members of the childbearing family in the big event.
A doula differentiates herself from a midwife in the following way:
Doulas are not healthcare practitioners. They do not have medical training and cannot replace a midwife or doctor, but rather add additional services.
Doulas “mother the mother.” They are trained individuals who can provide continuous mental, physical, and emotional support for the labouring mother.
They have deep wisdom, comfort and encouragement to offer.
They serve as educators, advocates and cheerleaders for the labouring mother.
They look for ways to make the mother feel comfortable.
They can guide the labouring woman in breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning.
Doulas inform the couple about their birth options and help them identify their preferences.
Doulas act as a link between the mother and the medical care team. They keep lines of communication open between them.
They help families get the answers to their questions so they can make informed decisions about their care.
They not only focus on the needs of the mother but also on the needs of the childbearing family.
They try to keep the family calm.
They involve the partner to labour and birth at the levels they are comfortable with.
They assist families in gathering information about the course of their labour.
A midwife’s characteristics on the other hand are:
Midwives have medical training and during the birth process, focus on delivering a healthy baby.
Midwives can anticipate problems and do continual assessment on the mother and baby.
Certified nurse-midwives can do many of the same things as doctors, including:
Perform gynaecological exams
Provide prenatal care
Administer pain medications
Give labour-inducing drugs
Monitor the fetus using electronic equipment
Order an epidural
Perform an episiotomy
Deliver a baby vaginally
Resuscitate a baby
Stitch tears
Work with you and your family to manage your physical, social, and mental care throughout your pregnancy and afterward
Provide personal counselling and education
Be at your side to help during your entire labour and delivery, not just the birth if possible
Help you give birth with less technology and sometimes fewer medications
Refer you to an OB or other specialist if you need more medical attention at any time
