Midwives and doulas have been working together for centuries. Historically, a doula was a woman from the community who attended births and helped out in non-medical ways. Today working together we can provide women and their partners with optimal support.

 

Doulas and midwives have very different roles and offer different kinds of care. Your midwife is a clinical health care professional who is there primarily to take care of your physical needs within the more holistic approach of the midwifery model. As your primary healthcare provider, your midwife has many clinical responsibilities in addition to offering you support which means that, at times, she may not be always able to be at your side. Other tasks your midwife may need to attend to include monitoring mom and baby, charting, setting up equipment and may include communicating with other health care providers on your team.

 

Your doula’s role is your emotional care. Her responsibilities birth primarily helping you to be confident and maintain a coping mindset, providing physical and emotional support and helping your partner to feel supported and involved. Your doula can provide or expand upon your prenatal education as well as being a resource to all things related to pregnancy, birth and postpartum in your community.

 

 

A doula often joins you in early before your midwife arrives. Early can take some time and many parents are often surprised on how much time they spend by themselves before it’s time to see their midwife. Your doula is available for you when you feel you want more support so you aren’t alone and can help you to interpret when it’s time to call the midwife or go to the hospital, what your midwife might want to know when you speak with her and offer breaks and support to partners.

 

 

Your doula is the extra pair of hands, allowing your partner the freedom to be by your side.

She may also assist by:

- Offering suggestions in early and active labour to help with comfort and labour progress including position suggestions, the use of heat and cold, verbal encouragement.

- Be as hands on as you would like offering massage and comforting touch or by just being physically present

- Take pictures

- Ensure you are offered something to eat and drink so you and your partner are staying well hydrated and nourished.

- Fill and empty tub and or pool and ensure it is cleaned.

- Retrieve linens in labour and post delivery from where they are kept.

- Warm linens for mom and baby post deliver.

- Protect your space if needed.

- Start the birth laundry.

This varied support allows you both to have the focus you desire.