Doula and a midwife question

what does a doula and midwife do?

why get one of each?

they seem the same to me?

are they like nannys but give you support?

i dont really understand the point of them can someone explain

Re: Doula and a midwife question

Hopefully one of the other girls will correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that a midwife actually examines you and follows you through the pregnancy and delivers the baby. But she has a more natural approach than OB. The philosophy is that pregnancy is a natural state, not a medical condition.

A doula is woman who will assist you during labor, but does not actually deliver the baby. She provides support, maybe massages, and other help, but she does not actually deliver.

I wanted to use a midwife, but b/c of some medical issues i will probably use an OB. However, I plan to get a doula and see if there are other things that the midwife can offer me.

Re: Doula and a midwife question

very interesting...never knew thats what they do. thank you

Re: Doula and a midwife question

Midwives deliver babies and provide pre/post-natal care. They specialize in normal childbirth and can do anything an OB can except surgery.

Doulas are labor support specialists. They provide you with support during labor, but do not provide medical care.

Re: Doula and a midwife question

CNM (certified Nurse midwives) are registered nursed who practice in the Labor and delivery field usually for a few years until they are accepted into a nurse midwifery school. Here they actually become Nurse practitioners specializing in low risk more natural childbirth.

Nurse midwives, like other nurse practitioners can prescribe medication and order blood tests. They can perform MOSt non-invasive procedures. So they don't do amnios, CVS or C-sections.

Most midwifery groups are affiliated with an OB practice who they can use as a reference for teh above said procedures and any complications that may arise during pregnancy.

Their philosophy is that pregnancy is a natural occurence in the body jut like say, menstruation and unless the medical need arises they do not perform as much diagnostic testing.

They are also big believers in working with the family and teaching them about their impending new arrival then just monitoring baby and moms well-being. You can say they "hold your hand" a bit more than most OB's

Doulas perform No medical procedures, they are basically a support person for mom and her partner when in labor. They are a great asset when using an OB because they help you to understand decisiont that need to be made in teh heat of the moment and can help be your advocate about your laboring/birthing and child care philosophies.

They usually take a 20 hour course and then have to attend a certain amount of births before they are fully certified.

FM if you ever have any questions!