Questions about doulas and doula services

  • What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?

  • Midwife provides prenatal care, delivery of the baby, care of the mother post-partum and newborn care.  The midwife is responsible for the safety of the mother and baby. 

    Doulas do not provide any kind of medical care. For instance, they would not listen to the baby's heart beat or do a vaginal exam or deliver the baby. They do provide emotional and physical support for the laboring woman and her family and/or post-partum care of the mother and baby. Doula care has been shown to improve outcomes for both moms and babies in many studies.

    Adopted from:  http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/pregnancy/excf6.htm