Although becoming a mother is a joy, there may be many learning curves involved. There are many individuals who will support and assist you along the journey, but you might not always be aware of what they are supposed to be doing. What distinguishes a doula from a midwife, for instance?

Since both midwives and doulas assist women throughout childbirth, they appear to be comparable to one another. And expecting mothers who choose to deliver without the use of drugs are most likely to select them both. However, their functions during birthing are actually rather dissimilar.

Every new parent requires assistance. Doulas and midwives are fortunately two sorts of professionals who may assist pregnant families in the transition from pregnancy to motherhood.

Doulas and midwives really have quite distinct training, responsibilities, and qualifications, despite the fact that most people believe they do comparable tasks. Continue reading to discover the key distinctions between the two.

A Doula

Doulas are skilled, non-medical professionals who offer care and support to expectant mothers before, during, and after birth. Their responsibility is to make sure you are as comfortable as possible.

A birthing companion has been around since prehistoric times; the word "doula" is taken from the Greek and means "woman servant." The term "doula" is now frequently used to describe the birthing coach.

A doula serves as a pregnant woman's personal cheerleader, offering consolation and support. They may offer emotional support or knowledge based on their experience to help pregnant women get the support they require. They instruct expectant moms in breathing and relaxation exercises and assist the mother with positioning, which can significantly speed up labour. According to research published in the Journal of Perinatal Education, moms who used doulas had shorter labours and were less likely to use oxytocin or have assisted vaginal births.

They can assist your family with educational needs and collaborate with your doctor and other medical experts while you are pregnant.

Doula during Birth

A birth doula's main duty is to accompany you throughout labour by offering non-medical techniques including breathing exercises, massages, and help with posture correction. Regardless of the kind of birth, a doula will be at your side to help you feel secure and protected. If you decide to utilize medicine or have a "natural" or unmedicated delivery, a doula will support you in that decision.

A doula can calm you and provide you extra care in the event of a C-section to allay concerns and anxiety. They might be a valuable member of your labouring team.

Using a doula, moms claim to require less medical intervention and to be more satisfied with the childbirth experience, according to a 2017 Cochrane Review.

Doula Certification

Not every doula undergoes the certification procedure. When a doula pursues certification training, it often entails classroom instruction and labour support. The term "doula" can also be used by a family member or friend who is not licensed, however, they might not have the same depth of expertise or experience as a professional doula.

Even though they may need to be more knowledgeable about the labour and delivery process, untrained doulas can still offer good labour support. Whether licensed or not, Doulas lack medical expertise and shouldn't be involved in any medical elements of labour.

A Midwife

Doulas and midwives may seem similar, but their roles are distinct. A midwife is in charge of the medical and clinical aspects of labour, such as heart rate and blood pressure, while a doula handles the emotional and educational assistance. Midwives can either be found at a doctor's office, or a hospital, or they can come to you.

Hospital, community, and private midwives are the three different subtypes. Hospital midwives work in prenatal clinics, whereas community midwives offer more comprehensive care. Although they are autonomous and distinct from the NHS, private midwives are properly educated and certified by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

A skilled medical professional, a midwife. In many cases, a midwife serves as a patient's sole medical provider for all prenatal care, delivery, and the first few weeks after giving birth.

A pregnant person does not need a doctor if they want midwifery care for their pregnancy and delivery. Instead, they often just see a midwife. There are varying degrees of training and practice scopes for different types of midwives.

Education and empowerment are often the main goals of midwifery care. During prenatal appointments, midwives often spend more time with expecting mothers than do doctors and work to individualize their treatment depending on their patient's needs and preferences.

While midwives frequently advocate for a natural delivery, they will also offer assistance to those who want pharmaceutical pain treatment throughout labour. When necessary, midwives can recognize difficulties and take emergency action.

Differences explained simply

A registered nurse who has additionally pursued studies in obstetrics, gynaecology, and midwifery is known as a midwife.

A doula does not offer medical assistance. A doula is a skilled birth coach who provides the mother with physical, emotional, and educational assistance during labour or after the baby is born.

Nurse midwives offer family planning education, primary healthcare, gynaecological treatments, and care for expectant mothers, new mothers, and the postpartum period. They frequently concentrate on low-risk, low-tech deliveries that don't require surgery, epidurals, or labour-inducing medications, but in a hospital environment, they can handle deliveries that do. Monitoring fetal growth and development, doing ultrasounds during pregnancy, and helping with breastfeeding and newborn care in the first 28 days following birth are just a few of the additional responsibilities.

Doulas help women physically and emotionally during childbirth. They can instruct customers on relaxation techniques and assist them in creating birth plans throughout pregnancy. A doula provides support and practical aid, including massages and coping strategies, during labour. They could even assist relatives who want to be present for the birth. Doulas help new parents recover from delivery, provide advice on breastfeeding, and occasionally impart parenting skills like washing and diaper change.

To become a midwife or doula?

Your personal and professional tastes will determine the response. While doulas can work in the field after completing a brief training program, midwives often possess a nursing degree and certification, which can take five years or longer to complete. Healthcare professionals and midwives are paid more and have a far broader range of practice. Doulas, on the other hand, frequently work independently and may have schedules that are more flexible.

Since at least 2016, when the World Health Organization advised that doulas attend all deliveries worldwide, the demand for doulas has been rising. Additionally, as more pregnant parents opt for a natural delivery, birth centres, or at-home births, and as Medicaid and private insurance coverage for doulas spreads, their acceptance has grown.