What is the Difference between Midwife and Doula?

Sheila Brown LM, CPM
Sep 8
2 min read

When planning for birth, many families encounter two important support roles: midwives and doulas. While both are dedicated to supporting you through pregnancy and birth, they serve very different functions. Understanding these distinctions can help you make informed decisions about your birth team.

What is a Midwife?

A midwife is a licensed healthcare provider who specializes in caring for women during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. Midwives are trained medical professionals who can:

Provide prenatal care throughout pregnancy
Monitor maternal and fetal health
Perform clinical assessments and order necessary tests
Prescribe medications when needed with standing orders from a physician
Deliver babies and manage complications
Provide postpartum care for both mother and baby

Midwives practice in various settings including hospitals, birth centers, and homes. They focus on pregnancy and birth as natural processes while maintaining the medical expertise to handle complications or transfer care when necessary.

What is a Doula?

A doula is a trained birth companion who provides continuous emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Doulas are not medical providers but rather advocates and support persons who:

Offer emotional support and encouragement
Provide comfort measures like massage and positioning suggestions
Help with breathing and relaxation techniques
Advocate for your birth preferences
Support your partner in supporting you
Provide information to help you make informed decisions
Offer breastfeeding support and postpartum assistance

Key Differences

Medical Scope

Midwives provide medical care, make clinical decisions, and can intervene medically when necessary. Doulas provide non-medical support and cannot perform medical procedures or make medical decisions.

Training and Licensing

Midwives complete extensive medical education and are licensed healthcare providers. Doulas complete specialized training programs but are not licensed medical professionals.

Continuity of Care

Midwives typically provide care throughout pregnancy and may attend your birth depending on their practice model. Doulas often provide continuous support during labor and birth, staying with you throughout the entire process.

Focus Areas

Midwives focus on the medical aspects of pregnancy and birth while supporting natural processes. Doulas focus exclusively on comfort, advocacy, and emotional support.

Can I Have Both?

Absolutely! Many families choose to have both a midwife and a doula as part of their birth team. This combination provides comprehensive medical care from the midwife and continuous emotional support from the doula. Research shows that having a doula can complement midwifery care beautifully, often leading to shorter labors, fewer interventions, and increased satisfaction with the birth experience.

Making Your Choice

Consider your priorities:

If you want a healthcare provider who can manage your entire pregnancy and birth medically, a midwife is essential
If you want continuous emotional support and advocacy during labor, a doula can be invaluable
If you want both comprehensive medical care and continuous support, consider having both

Remember, both midwives and doulas share the common goal of supporting you in having a safe, satisfying birth experience. The choice between them—or the decision to have both—depends on your individual needs, preferences, and birth goals.

Your birth team should reflect your values and support your vision for your birth experience. Take time to interview potential providers and support people to ensure they align with your needs and philosophy.