It can be a bit overwhelming to experience pregnancy. There are so many new terms, morning sickness, baby kicks and endless decisions. Between shopping for swaddles and choosing baby names, one of the biggest decisions you will face is who you can count on to support you during your birth.
Some expectant mothers choose to have their babies under the care and supervision of an obstetrician. Others prefer a more natural approach, often involving a doula or a Midwife. What’s the difference, and how can you decide which role is best for you?
We’ll break it down and explore why women increasingly include a birth doula alongside a midwife in their birth teams.
What is a Doula?
A doula, a non-medical, trained professional, provides emotional, educational, and physical support to women before, during and after childbirth. The word “doula”, which means “woman who serves”, comes from ancient Greek. A doula’s role is to support you and empower you during your birth journey.
Doulas do not perform any clinical duties. They will not check your dilation or monitor the heartbeat of your baby. will hold your hand and rub your back. They’ll advocate for you, reminding you to breathe if things become overwhelming. The person in the room who calms you down when things are intense. They know your birth plan and can be a calming presence when contractions start.
Consider a doula to be a birth guide, emotional anchor and fierce supporter all in one.
What is a midwife?
A midwife is a qualified medical professional–usually a registered nurse or someone trained specifically in midwifery–who has studied obstetrics, gynaecology, neonatal care, and all aspects of childbirth. The midwife is medically trained and can monitor the mother as well as her baby during pregnancy, labour, and after delivery.
They will check your blood pressure, track your baby’s growth, perform scans, catch the baby during delivery, and ensure that everyone is healthy and safe before, during and after birth.
In short, a midwife delivers your baby.
You can rely on them for any clinical issue. You may see a nurse midwife for the entire duration of your pregnancy, depending on whether you opt for public care, midwifery groups, or home birth.
Doula and midwife: What is the real difference?
What’s the difference between each of these roles?
This is what it comes down to:
- A Midwife has been trained to take care of your body and that of your child in a medically sound way.
- A doula has been trained to take care of you emotionally, physically and mentally.
They are vital. They ensure that you and your child are safe. Midwives cannot always be by your side in a hospital, especially when staff are stretched. A doula.
What Doulas Bring to Your Birth Space
You’ll probably hear something like this from any mother who has used a doula:
“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without her.”
Take the case of a mother named Emily who gave birth to her daughter recently. She had a midwife as well as a doula to help her with both of her births. Her doula for her first child was also a midwife trainee, so she had the best of both worlds. Her most empowering moment came when she decided to clearly define both roles the second time.
She says, “My midwives delivered me a baby.” “But my doula helped me get through the labour.”
Emily’s early stages of labour at home were intense and long. Her partner was understandably tired and needed rest. The doula was there to help, not only physically but also emotionally. The doula was her anchor. She helped with everything from massages and pressure techniques to just being there.
The doula is a wonderful addition to the birthing process. No matter how long the labour lasts, they will stay with you. They do not rotate shifts nor take breaks. They are a constant, someone who knows you, your story, fears, preferences, and strengths.
Do Doulas Make a Difference in Real Life?
Yes. Studies have shown:
- Reduce the risk of caesarean up to 50 %
- Reduce the length of labour
- Reduce the use of pain relievers
- Reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy
- Enhance overall satisfaction with birth for mothers
That’s huge.
It’s simple: When a woman feels supported and confident, she is more likely than not to have a successful labour. Doulas know that birth is a mental, emotional and physical experience.
But I already have a midwife. Do I also need a doula?
Answer in a nutshell? You don’t require a doula.
It can be a good decision if you’re looking for additional support, reassurance and consistent care during your labour and delivery, especially when things do not go as planned.
Doulas and midwives are not a replacement for each other, but they beautifully complement each other.
The midwife is responsible for your clinical care. The doula takes care of the whole person.
Together, they make a strong team.
Doulas from Day One: Building Trust Early
Some women decide to hire a doula later in their pregnancy, while others reach out earlier — sometimes as early as the first trimester.
Emily was able to connect with her doula right from the beginning of her second pregnancy. She was my massage therapist and someone who knew my body very well. “I completely trusted her,” she recalled.
This familiarity was a huge help when it came time to give birth. She came to my house as soon as I started labouring and stayed there with me throughout the first stages. Knowing she was with me made it so much easier to labour at home.
Doulas often offer prenatal sessions in which you can discuss your birth preferences, practice labour positions and share fears or previous experiences. This emotional preparation can help you to have a confident and empowered birth.
What Happens After Birth?
Doulas’ role doesn’t end at delivery. Postpartum Doulas have become increasingly popular. They provide much-needed assistance in the first weeks following the baby’s birth.
You can get help with:
- Breastfeeding Support
- Settling Techniques
- Basic newborn care
- Emotional wellbeing
- You can relax while we do light household work.
When you are sleep-deprived and hormonal and trying to adjust to your new normal, it can be a huge help having someone calm, knowledgeable and supportive in your corner.
Which one should you choose?
The type of birth experience that you desire will determine whether a midwife or a doula is the best choice.
- You’ll need a midwife if you want clinical monitoring in a hospital or birthing centre.
- A doula can provide you with the continuous, emotional, and physical support that you need, particularly during labour and after birth.It
- can be extremely powerful if you have both.
Some midwives have a holistic approach, similar to that of a doula, while some doulas may also be trained in birth therapies such as massage, acupressure or hypnobirthing.
It’s important to find people who will make you feel heard, supported, and safe, no matter what their title.
Invest in Yourself
A doula’s services are an investment in you, not just for your birth but also in your future. It says, “I deserve support.” I deserve someone who is with me, who understands me, listens to me and will be there for me at every turn.
One day, you may forget about the birth. You’ll never forget the way you feel, and that’s why doulas can be so effective.
Final Thoughts
There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to childbirth. Every woman’s journey through pregnancy is different. It doesn’t matter if you go with a midwife or a doula. Or both.
Take the time to consider your options. Speak to other mothers. Ask questions. Interview several doulas and midwives to find the one that feels right. When it comes time to welcome your child into the world, the right people will make all the difference.
