The roles of a doula vs midwife: What you need to know

This is a question we get asked a lot when helping you create your birth plan – and for good reason! It’s crucial to highlight and understand each role in your birth plan, as these people will be your pillars of support throughout this monumental experience.
There are key differences between doulas and midwives, especially when it comes to emotional support during labor, birth knowledge, and how each role fills the space during your highly anticipated Birth Journey.
The roles of a Midwife vs a Doula
Midwives are a crucial asset to your birth team. Your Midwife is the healthcare professional dedicated solely to the safety and well-being of both you and your sweet baby.
Midwives are trained to provide primary medical care and support to pregnant women and their newborns in each stage of Labor and delivery. They’re equipped to handle emergencies as well as ensure standard procedures for a smooth delivery.

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Broadly speaking, midwives offer prenatal care, labor and delivery support, postpartum care, and even screening and testing. At The Addice, our midwives are passionate about providing informed care to every mom and family that walks through our doors. That’s why we offer a variety of resources, including childbirth education classes, optimal fetal positioning guidance, resources for lactation support, Physical Therapy and more!
Doulas are also an incredible asset to your birth team! Your doula will provide you with unwavering emotional support throughout your entire labor and delivery.
More often than not, your doula is with you from that first contraction all the way through to two hours after delivery – or really, for however long you both agree on! They’re also very knowledgeable on the stages of labor and what positioning, remedies, and comfort measures will work best for you. The beauty of your birth team is that it’s chosen by YOU, for YOU. You get the flexibility to decide when, where, and how your team is present (within reason, of course)!
Doulas, no matter the birth setting – whether in a hospital, at home, or in a birth center – act as your advocates. They’ll have built a relationship with you, understood your birth preferences, and will stand by your side as your advocate every step of the way. After all, you’ll be pretty busy… birthing a human! So no need to worry about advocating for yourself—Your doula has got you covered!
It’s important to remember that both midwives and doulas are hired by YOU, for YOU.
This is the beauty of creating your personalized birth team and plan. Each of these professionals is highly skilled and dedicated to bringing you peace, confidence, and expert care throughout your pregnancy and labor. Putting together your birth team and plan can be a big task, so we recommend exploring local resources, such as birth centers or doulas in your area, to find the team that aligns best with your vision.
Find your DREAM BIRTH TEAM here!
