Differences between Doula and Midwife
Contents
Doula vs. Midwife[edit]
While both doulas and midwives provide support to individuals during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, their roles, training, and scope of practice are distinctly different.[1][2] A midwife is a trained healthcare professional who provides medical care, while a doula is a non-medical professional focused on providing physical and emotional support.[3][4]
A primary distinction lies in their medical responsibilities.[1] Midwives are healthcare providers who can manage labor and delivery, perform medical procedures, and offer gynecological services.[5] In contrast, doulas do not perform clinical tasks, administer medication, or give medical advice. Their role is to complement the care provided by medical professionals by offering continuous support to the birthing person.[4]
The training and certification for each profession reflect these differences. Midwives undergo extensive medical training, often at the graduate level, and must be licensed to practice.[1] Doula training focuses on comfort measures, advocacy, and emotional support, with certification being available but not always legally required.
Many individuals choose to have both a doula and a midwife as part of their birth team, benefiting from the distinct expertise each provides.[1] The midwife addresses the medical needs of the parent and baby, while the doula offers continuous emotional and physical comfort.
Comparison Table[edit]
| Category | Doula | Midwife |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Provides continuous emotional, physical, and informational support.[5] | Healthcare professional providing medical care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. |
| Medical Training | Not medically trained; does not perform clinical tasks. | Trained and licensed medical professional.[2] |
| Scope of Practice | Offers comfort measures, advocacy, and educational support.[1] | Manages labor and delivery, performs exams, prescribes medication, and provides newborn care. |
| Services Provided | Breathing techniques, massage, positioning suggestions, and advocacy for the birth plan.[1] | Prenatal check-ups, monitoring vital signs, delivering the baby, and postpartum medical care. |
| Work Environment | Hospitals, birthing centers, and home births. | Hospitals, clinics, birthing centers, and private practices. |
| Certification | Training and certification are available and often recommended, but not uniformly required by law. | A graduate-level degree and national certification are typically required for licensure.[3] |
Roles in Childbirth[edit]
During labor and delivery, a midwife's primary focus is on the health and safety of the mother and baby.[5] They monitor the progress of labor, manage potential complications, and perform the delivery. A doula, in contrast, offers continuous one-on-one support to the laboring person. This can include suggesting position changes, providing comfort measures like massage, and helping to facilitate communication with the medical team.[1] The presence of a doula has been associated with shorter labors and a reduced rate of medical interventions.[1]
Postpartum Support[edit]
Both professionals also offer support after childbirth. A midwife continues to provide medical care for the parent and newborn, including check-ups and guidance on feeding and recovery. A postpartum doula assists the family with the transition of having a new baby.[5] This can involve help with newborn care, light household tasks, and offering emotional support to the new parents.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "flourishcommunitycare.com". Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "elevancehealth.com". Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "holisticmidwiferyny.net". Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "clevelandclinic.org". Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "stonybrookmedicine.edu". Retrieved January 22, 2026.
