Midwives & Doulas

Doula vs. Midwife: Who’s Who on the Birth Team?

Pregnancy is a time of excitement, anticipation, and a lot of questions. One of the most common questions we get is about the difference between a birth doula and a midwife. It’s a great question—and the answer can help you feel more confident in building your birth team.

Let’s break it down.

The Role of a Midwife:
Your Medical Expert

Think of a midwife as your pregnancy and birth healthcare provider. Midwives are trained professionals who handle the medical side of things. We monitor your health and your baby’s development during pregnancy,. We are the ones catching your little bundle of joy when it's time for birth! We want you to have a beautiful, safe, sentimental birth, but our top focused is on your safety and the baby’s wellbeing.

Midwives are experts in low-risk pregnancies. We are all about providing you with personalized, respectful care. But here’s the thing—midwives aren’t there just for the birth. We support you through your entire pregnancy and postpartum journey, keeping an eye on both you and baby to ensure you're both healthy.

Our relationship begins as soon as you decide you want to birth in the Community Setting. We provide care during prenatal appointments including guiding you through a healthy pregnancy, drawing your labs, listening to heart tones, and offering you appropriate care for complications.

When you go into early labor, we are available to you by phone. We join you to provide continuous support once you get into Active labor.

The Role of a Doula:
Your Emotional Rock

A doula, on the other hand, is like your personal cheerleader and support system. Doulas are not medical professionals. They’re trained in providing emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, labor, and birth. Doulas focus on you—how you're feeling, what you need, and how to make the experience as positive and empowering as possible.

Need someone to help you breathe through contractions? Your doula’s on it. Want to try different labor positions to ease the pain? Your doula can recommend positions for your comfort. Worried about what comes next? Your doula’s got your back with info and reassurance. Your partner benefits from the extra support too! A doula stays by your side when your partner needs to leave to grab a bite to eat or take a break.

Doulas often join you much earlier in labor. In fact, they usually are with you and help you decide when it is time to call your midwife and/or head in to the birth center.

Why Would I Want Both a
Midwife and a Doula?

Here’s where the magic happens. Midwives and doulas work together to support you holistically, from head to toe, inside and out. While your midwife is monitoring your baby’s heart rate and ensuring a safe delivery, your doula is there holding your hand (literally or figuratively) and making sure you’re as comfortable and calm as possible.

Together, they make a dream team. You get the clinical expertise of a midwife combined with the hands-on support and encouragement of a doula. It’s like having a top-notch medical professional and your BFF in the delivery room at the same time. What could be better?

Here’s why many pregnant women choose to hire both:

• Complete support: While the midwife is focused on your baby’s health, the doula’s primary focus is you and your emotional and physical comfort.

• Increased satisfaction: Studies have shown that having a doula can lead to a more positive birth experience, including reduced stress and anxiety.

• Lower intervention rates: Doulas often help reduce the need for medical interventions, like C-sections or epidurals, by helping you manage pain naturally and keeping you relaxed.

• A seamless birth: Midwives and doulas work beautifully together. Your midwife can focus on the clinical aspects, knowing that your doula is providing continuous care.

The Takeaway: It’s All About Balance

In short, hiring both a midwife and a doula ensures that you’re supported in every possible way. Your midwife has your health covered, and your doula is there to keep you grounded, empowered, and focused on the experience. It’s the perfect balance of medical expertise and emotional care.

So, why settle for one when you can have the best of both worlds? If you’re preparing for birth, consider building a dream team with both a midwife and a doula—you deserve it!

See our list of doulas in our Trusted Colleagues.