On the Difference Between Midwives and Doulas, and Why You Need a Doula at Your Home Birth

When people find out I’m a doula, one of the first things they usually ask is, “Oh, so that’s like a midwife, right?” It’s a question I hear all the time, and I totally get it. If you’re new to the world of birthwork, it’s easy to mix us up. After all, we’re both there to support families during one of the most transformative moments of their lives. But the truth is, while our roles complement each other beautifully, they’re very different.

So, here’s the scoop: a midwife is a medical professional. A doula is a birth professional with training in emotional, physical, and spiritual support.

At a home birth, your midwife is the one doing the clinical stuff: monitoring heart rates, performing cervical exams (if that’s something you want), administering medications, and making crucial calls in emergency situations. They’re there to ensure you and your baby are safe and healthy—it’s their top priority.

A doula, on the other hand, is there to walk alongside you every step of the way, offering non-medical support that’s just as important. My role as a doula is to educate, empower, and provide hands-on comfort. During labor, I’ll be by your side helping with breathing techniques, massage, position changes, and giving you the encouragement you need when things get tough. When those waves of self-doubt creep in I’ll be there to remind you of your strength and keep you grounded. I also offer support for the whole family, making sure that your partner, if you have one, is feeling supported and involved.

Our presence in the birth space allows midwives to concentrate fully on their primary responsibility: ensuring the health and safety of both mother and baby. By providing emotional, physical, and informational support, doulas free midwives to focus on clinical care without being pulled away to provide comfort measures. Simply put, doulas enhance the midwife’s ability to perform their role effectively.

And let’s not forget the postpartum period—another area where the midwife-doula team shines. After your baby is born, your midwife will check in on your physical recovery and your baby’s health. Meanwhile, if you’ve hired a postpartum doula, they can help with everything from emotional support to cooking, light housework, and newborn care. We’re there to make sure you’re nurtured and cared for as you adjust to this beautiful (but challenging) new chapter.

Midwives and doulas aren’t the same and we aren't interchangeable—we’re complementary. Although many midwives are incredible emotional and spiritual allies in the birthing process, their main focus is to oversee the clinical aspects of your care, while doulas focus on emotional, physical, and informational care. Together, we create a birth experience that’s safe, empowering, and ultimately, led by you and your intuition.