Midwife, Doula, or Both?

Expectant mothers need a helping hand, especially when making the transition from pregnancy to motherhood. Enter the experts: midwives and doulas. While these two professions are often assumed to be interchangeable, they are quite different. It is important to differentiate the two to determine what’s the best fit for your birthing process. Is it midwife, doula, both, or neither?

Let’s talk midwives first. A midwife is a trained healthcare professional who assists healthy women during low-risk labor, childbirth, and postpartum care. Similar to an obstetrician/gynecologist, their roles may include performing prenatal exams, assisting in birth plan decisions, counseling you about prenatal and postnatal care, monitoring you and your baby’s health, as well as actually delivering the baby. Midwives, however, are not permitted to perform C-sections. Therefore, high-risk pregnancies that may result in complications require the use of physicians. But for healthy expecting mothers that desire a natural delivery, they should consider using a midwife. This typically means no episiotomy, fetal monitoring, labor induction, or other medical interventions will be used in their childbirth experience. Midwives also provide integral emotional, practical, and social support that is desirable by many expectant mothers.

Doulas, on the other hand, are more like childbirth companions. They focus on your needs, helping make sure your wishes and concerns are heard and respected in the delivery room. They are non-medical professionals who provide physical and emotional support throughout pregnancy and labor. Rather than prescribing painkillers and delivering the baby like midwives and physicians, doulas offer comforting contact and verbal support to help you feel empowered and comfortable throughout the delivery experience. Doulas, specifically postpartum doulas, can also support new mothers in their recovery from childbirth. This involves looking after the baby and assisting a mother in breastfeeding. In short, doulas are committed to providing you with a positive birth experience and ease the transition to motherhood.

The World Health Organization recommends the use of midwives and doulas, as both professions provide assistance to expectant mothers in the birthing process. Many women choose to recruit both a doula and a midwife, though neither is necessary. The impact of using such roles, however, is notable. Compared to women cared for by physicians, pregnant women who received prenatal and postnatal treatment primarily from a midwife were less likely to deliver prematurely and required fewer medical interventions. As for doula-assisted childbirths, a study determined mothers were four times less likely to have a baby with low birth weight, two times less likely to have a birth complication arise, and considerably more likely to breastfeed.

When deciding who makes up your delivery team, finding someone who advocates for you and is experienced is critical. A midwife and/or doula might be right for you if you want a more personal and intimate birthing experience. A midwife is generally chosen if, for example, home birth is desired, as their medical expertise is essential in the event of complications, and doulas are recommended if you want to be supported and committed throughout your birthing plan. You should consult your doctor to determine who will be the best fit for your specific birthing requirements.

By: Caroline Middleton