At Mary’s Center, we know that the support you receive during your pregnancy journey can make a profound difference in your birthing experience. That is why we work with two key types of professionals: doulas and midwives. While their roles may seem similar at first, they serve distinct purposes. Understanding the difference between a doula and a midwife and how each can contribute to a positive birth experience can help expecting families make informed and empowered decisions.
A doula is a non-clinically trained professional who provides continuous emotional, physical, and informational support to a person before, during, and after childbirth. Doulas are not medical professionals, they do not deliver babies or provide clinical care. Their role centers on emphasizing comfort measures and promoting patient self-advocacy. A doula can help with breathing techniques, offer massage, suggest labor positions, and provide reassurance to both the birthing person and their partner.
Doulas help bridge the emotional gap in pregnancy care by offering consistent support. Unlike nurses and doctors, who may change shifts or have other patients, a doula can remain a steady presence throughout labor. Postpartum doulas can also assist with non-medical newborn care, such as feeding and changes, breastfeeding support, and emotional recovery for parents during the early days of parenthood. Numerous studies have shown that support from a doula is associated with outcomes such as:
- Reduced need for pain medication and epidurals
- Shorter labor durations
- Decreased rates of cesarean sections and other interventions
- Increased satisfaction with the birth experience
- Improved outcomes for newborns
- Lower rates of postpartum depression
In contrast, a midwife is a healthcare professional trained to provide care throughout pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. Midwives conduct physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, monitor fetal development, manage labor and delivery, and provide postpartum follow-up. They are qualified to handle physiologically normal, low-risk pregnancies and births, and are also trained to recognize complications and refer to obstetricians when clinically indicated.
The main types of midwives in the United States are:
- Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM): CNMs are registered nurses who have completed graduate-level education in midwifery and are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. They are licensed to practice and can prescribe medications, provide gynecological care, and attend births in hospitals, birth centers, and homes.
- Certified Professional Midwife (CPM): CPMs are trained to provide midwifery care in out-of-hospital settings such as homes and birth centers in some states.
- Traditional or Lay Midwives: These midwives may be trained through informal apprenticeships or self-study and often serve specific cultural or religious communities. They may not be licensed or recognized by state regulatory boards.
The evidence on midwifery care, particularly for low-risk pregnancies, is associated with high-quality outcomes and fewer interventions. Some of the benefits include:
- Lower rates of cesarean births
- Lower rates of induction and episiotomy
- More personalized, holistic care
- Greater emphasis on vaginal birth
- Higher rates of breastfeeding initiation
- Greater patient satisfaction
Midwives often have more time to spend with patients during prenatal visits than doctors, and focus on education, shared decision-making, and emotional well-being. Their model of care emphasizes respecting the normal processes of labor and birth while still maintaining clinical vigilance for complications. While the midwife ensures the safety of mother and baby through clinical expertise, the doula focuses on comfort, advocacy, and emotional support for both. When used together, midwives and doulas create a comprehensive care experience that respects the science and the humanity of childbirth.
For more information about Mary’s Center prenatal care, visit maryscenter.org/prenatal