Many people might think if you are seeing a midwife, hiring a doula might be redundant. However, midwives and doulas complement each other nicely and hiring both can make for a wonderful birth experience. The responsibilities of a midwife differ from those of a doula.
So, what is the difference?
A midwife is not always there to provide the continuous support that a doula can offer. Her responsibilities are more clinical and it is therefore important for the midwife to have full energy and focus. She also might be tending to more than 1 laboring mother if you are in a hospital. A doula can help the mom and her partner stay comfortable during the early stages of labor by providing suggestions about how to remain in good spirits while practicing techniques that help the labor progress.
A doula can provide a gentle touch and kind words during your labor and delivery, keeping the mother and her partner in a well informed, calm place. It is reassuring for mom to know there is someone there for her who is educated in childbirth and can offer physical support, emotional, educational support when it is needed.
Keeping a mom comfortable is a doulas main priority during labor and delivery. Doulas can help a mom have a satisfying birth experience by honoring her wishes, respecting her decisions while allowing her to feel that she has the information she needs to make the right decisions for her body, her birth and her baby.
See below for a midwife's opinion on this subject:
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Monday, April 6, 2009
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