The Role of a Doula Versus a Midwife: Key Differences

Introduction: Who’s Who on Your Birth Team?

When preparing for birth, many people hear about midwives and doulas, but it’s easy to get the two roles confused. While both play critical parts in the birthing experience, their training, responsibilities, and scope of care are very different.

At Attuned Midwifery Services, we often collaborate with amazing doulas, and we believe that understanding these roles helps you build the right support team for your birth goals.

Let’s break down the key differences between a doula and a midwife—and how they can work together beautifully.

What Is a Midwife?

A midwife is a licensed healthcare provider who offers clinical care throughout pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. Midwives are trained to:

• Monitor maternal and fetal health

• Perform physical exams, order labs, and prescribe medications

• Catch babies

• Handle complications and emergencies

• Provide postpartum and newborn care

  
  

Midwives are responsible for the medical safety of both the birthing person and the baby. At Attuned Midwifery Services, our certified midwives specialize in home birth and holistic prenatal care, combining clinical excellence with compassionate support.

What Is a Doula?

A doula is a non-clinical birth support professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to the birthing person and their partner.

Doulas do not provide medical care—but they offer continuous presence, reassurance, comfort techniques, and advocacy during:

• Pregnancy (prenatal education, emotional support)

• Labor (massage, breathing techniques, position changes)

• Postpartum (sometimes lactation help, newborn soothing, and emotional care)

  
  

Think of a doula as your emotional anchor and hands-on helper.

Comparison Chart: Doula Versus Midwife

Feature	Midwife	Doula
Medical training	Yes (licensed healthcare provider)	No
Catches the baby	Yes	No
Provides physical comfort	Sometimes	Yes, primarily
Offers emotional support	Yes	Yes
Handles complications/emergencies	Yes	No
Creates a birth plan	Yes	Helps you clarify and advocate for it
Stays with you continuously during labor	Usually in active labor	Yes, entire labor
Postpartum care	Clinical newborn & maternal care	Emotional and logistical support

Why You Might Want Both on Your Birth Team

Midwives and doulas don’t replace each other—they complement each other beautifully.

• Your midwife is focused on your health, safety, and clinical milestones.

• Your doula is focused on your emotional experience, comfort, and advocacy.

  
  

Imagine your doula massaging your back through contractions while your midwife checks baby’s heartbeat. It’s the best of both worlds.

When to Choose a Midwife

Choose a midwife if you want:

• A natural or low-intervention birth

• Clinical care in a home, birth center, or sometimes hospital

• Personalized prenatal monitoring

• Medical oversight without unnecessary intervention

• Someone trained to catch your baby and handle complications

  
  

Midwives are a must for managing the medical aspects of pregnancy and birth.

When to Hire a Doula

Choose a doula if you want:

• Emotional, continuous labor support

• Hands-on comfort techniques during contractions

• Help communicating your birth preferences

• Support for both you and your partner

• Encouragement and presence from someone grounded in the birth space

  
  

Doulas are especially valuable in hospital births, where care can feel fragmented or impersonal.

Can a Doula Replace a Midwife?

No—doulas are not medical professionals. They don’t monitor the baby, perform exams, or deliver the baby. If you’re planning a home birth or seeking prenatal medical care, you’ll need a midwife. However, doulas are a powerful addition to any birth setting—including births with midwives.

What We Believe at Attuned Midwifery Services

We love when clients hire doulas! We work well alongside them and believe that having multiple layers of support leads to stronger outcomes, lower stress, and a more empowering birth experience. If you’re not sure whether to add a doula to your team, we’re happy to offer referrals to trusted doulas in your area.

Choose the Support That Feels Right for You

When you understand the difference between a midwife and a doula, you can create a birth team that supports your values, your body, and your voice. Whether you choose one or both, the most important thing is that you feel informed, supported, and safe.

🤝 Ready to build your birth team?📞 Contact Attuned Midwifery Services today for a free consultation and ask us about local doulas we love to work with.