Let's talk a little about what your birth team could look like...
Most people don't know the difference between a midwife, doula and their OBGYN, so let's talk about it. While we're at it lets talk about why people choose one over the other.
First let's talk about your OBGYN, this is the doctor that people will usually visit for annuals, birth control, pregnancy and childbirth. They are responsible for your care usually in a doctor's office. They are trained in not only the medical field, but they are also able to perform surgery like cesarean sections. If you need a c-section, you will need to have an OBGYN.
A midwife is an individual that has gone through midwifery training and has at least a master's in nursing and an RN. A Midwife is able to complete annuals, prescribe birth control, help with pregnancy and labor all the way through menopause. Although pregnancy and labor support are what they are most known for. A midwife can support you through a water birth, a home birth and most low risk pregnancies. High-risk pregnancies are able to be assisted by a midwife, but they will need to coordinate care with an OBGYN. Most people choose a midwife over an OBGYN because they want a labor and delivery at a facility other than the hospital. This might be at home or in a birth center.
A Doula is not a medical professional but is trained in comfort measures, emotional, mental and physical support through pregnancy, labor and the postpartum period. While a midwife is there to provide medical assistance to mom a doula is there to provide comfort to the laboring person and their partner during pregnancy, labor and postpartum. There are many different kinds of doulas out there but the most well-known is a labor and postpartum doula. If you have a midwife, then you will most likely have a labor doula.
Whether you have a doctor, a midwife, a doula or all three every one of these support people should be giving you the labor and delivery that you want based on what your body will allow. If you are not getting the care that you want or deserve it is completely within your right to fire your providers and seek new ones. Pregnancy, labor and delivery are very personal and life changing experiences. You should be supported in a way that makes you feel cared for, safe and excited. If you aren't, you have my permission to change it so that you are!
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