Differences between midwife vs doula
I get asked this question a lot. “I have a midwife, why would I need a doula?” I will explain the differences and the advantages to having both.
A midwife is a trained/certified health professional who provides support to women in labor and birth. Midwives are trained in the medical aspects of labor/birth by providing prenatal care and the medical care in the hospital/birth center or homebirth (specific with homebirth midwives), they are skilled in delivering the baby, and providing immediate post partum care to the mother. Women who are looking for lower intervention in their labors and births typically find solace with a midwife group. Furthermore, midwives can provide emotional and some physical support to the expecting family to have a more comforting experience. I have had the honor of working with some great midwife practices all over the Greater Chicago Area. Many of these midwives have a calm and respectful demeanor, which helps the family feel safe and supported.
Doulas help to aid in the labor/birth process; however, they do not do the medical aspects of the birthing experience, such as cervical exams, blood pressure checks, etc. Doulas are trained/certified in the emotional and physical aspects of providing support to the birthing family in their labor. Some doulas have other expertise they lend such as being a childbirth educator, massage therapist, lactation specialist, etc. Typically from contract going forward, a doula is available for questions or concerns 24 hours of the day 7 days a week. Many families find great value in the back and forth questions and answering that goes on well before their “labor day”. Families feel comfort in knowing there is someone else they can contact who has experience with labor and birth other than just talking to a friend or searching on the internet. A doula can also help a family understand their options in the labor/birth experience as many families do not even know they have options, as well as helping to ensure the family is with a practice that is supportive of their ideas of their birth. Furthermore, a doula is a great asset to a midwife or even an OB as the doula helps to provide the continual physical/emotional care whether it be in home or hospital or both, which can allow the medical professional to focus on the specifics to their job especially if they are caring for two laboring families at the same time. I have personally been present for several births where a midwife has had to help three different families almost at the same time. Sometimes having to go between the rooms doing her best to ensure everyone is fine. However, it is hard to be in three or even two places at once to give the emotional and physical care that a laboring mom may need, which is where the doula comes in!
Doulas and midwives are invaluable professionals to the labor/birth experience. Why not have the best of both worlds? I absolutely love working with midwives and find our relationship in the labor room is a perfect union in helping to support the family to have the positive and empowering birth they deserve.
If you are interested in learning more about midwife practices in the Chicago and surrounding areas, ask me!
