Doula Blog
All about Pregnancy, Birth, & Postpartum
Many people in the United States are curious about the difference between doulas and midwives. The simple answer is that a midwife is a medical professional who helps women deliver babies (in this definition it is most similar to an obstetrician) and a doula is a non-medical support person who helps women and their partners (emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually and informationally) prepare for birth and postpartum during pregnancy and helps them know and understand their choices. Doulas are there to educate you on all your choices and support you no matter what you choose. It is your body, birth and baby and we are there to support you to have an empowered birth experience. To learn more about doulas feel free to read my welcome & doula research page on my website! If you are desiring a low stress, peaceful, safe, empowered pregnancy and birth experience then a midwife might be a good choice for you. Midwives typically take a holistic approach to pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Midwives have extensive training and experience in normal pregnancy and birth and can care for you throughout your whole journey, from routine yearly women’s health visits through pregnancy, birth and beyond! Midwives are sometimes registered nurses who go for several years of schooling to become Certified Nurse Midwives. Other midwives are highly trained alongside community midwives. Midwives take the time to talk through nutrition, exercise, postpartum planning and so much more. They can help women in birth centers, hospitals and at home. Some midwives choose to work in one of those places and others have a combination of experience in various birth settings. You can choose to see a midwife for women’s health care too! I made the switch to seeing a midwife at the local birthing center instead of a gynecologist and have appreciated the calm, comfortable conversations and the time they take to educate me on my choices. They care about my holistic health, not just physical but also emotional and mental. When I saw a gynecologist, it was in a typical doctor’s office with bright fluorescent lights and a hurried pace of keeping on schedule. I was thrilled when I learned women’s health care can look different. I can receive care in a peaceful, comfortable room with soft lighting and calming colors. I feel more confident in that setting, asking questions, knowing that she can and will take the time to listen. There are birthing centers in many cities throughout the US that do well-woman visits as well as prenatal care. Remember, you can always make a switch in provider and place of birth. In the US most women go to see a gynecologist for yearly visits, pap smears, birth control, education and then when they become pregnant, they get matched with an obstetrician who will be their prenatal and labor doctor. However, in other countries such as Germany, UK, Canada, Australia, Denmark etc midwives not obstetricians are often the primary medical professional for women's health including pregnancy and birth. Women’s health care and prenatal care should always make you feel comfortable, informed, safe and empowered to make confident choices. It should be a partnership and not make you feel rushed and uncomfortable asking questions. If you want a low intervention, peaceful birth, consider having a midwife as your women’s health care provider and continue to have her support you through pregnancy and birth and postpartum. Midwives are holistic and believe that birth is a normal physiologic process and is safer when not intervened in unless needed. If you’re interested in learning more about midwifery care, I encourage all my clients and friends to read Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. It is a warm, inviting, honest and beautifully written collection of birth stories as well as research-based chapters on tips for decreasing chances of tearing, how to choose a care provider and place of birth, and tips for comfort measures during labor and ways to prepare your body during pregnancy and labor for birthing your baby. I will continue to re-read this book! Blessings, Michaela Resources for learning more about the safety and prevalence of midwifery care! • Chart: U.S. Midwife Workforce Far Behind Globally | Statista Nursing and midwifery (who.int) The U.S. Needs More Midwives for Better Maternity Care - Scientific American Our Philosophy of Care | Our Philosophy of Care (midwife.org)
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