Doulas and midwives: their roles in 12 points
Detailed summary
- What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?
- Can you have a doula AND a midwife?
- What are the concrete missions of the doula and midwife during pregnancy and childbirth?
- What are the advantages of being accompanied by a doula?
- How to access a midwife or doula in Quebec?
- How to choose your doula or midwife?
- What are the 12 key points to remember about the complementary role of doulas and midwives?
What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?
I am often asked what are the differences and complementarities between doula and midwife, key professionals in birth support.
Here are the specificities of each, in order to better understand their roles:
- The midwife is a qualified healthcare professional who provides medical monitoring of pregnancy, delivery and postnatal monitoring. She can make diagnoses, prescribe certain treatments, and perform medical procedures. Its action is governed by specific protocols and it often works in collaboration with the hospital network.
- The doula , for her part, is not a health professional
Did you know?
Ysé Naissance doulas can complete your pregnancy monitoring, they offer a complete support to prepare and be completely informed steps and steps to plan.
Can you have a doula AND a midwife?
Absolutely! In Quebec (and elsewhere), it is entirely possible to call on a midwife AND a doula simultaneously. This choice allows you to benefit from a comprehensive and personalized support, medically and emotionally.
Here's how it generally fits together:
- The midwife monitors the smooth progress of the pregnancy, performs regular examinations, manages the birth safely, and offers postnatal follow-ups.
- The doula offers listening meetings, tools to better manage emotions and pain during labor, perinatal education, logistical support, and ongoing support (sometimes even at home or in a hospital center).
What are the concrete missions of the doula and midwife during pregnancy and childbirth?
| Profession | Pregnancy | Childbirth | Postpartum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doula | Listening to fears, rituals, emotional support, psychological preparation, education, personalized advice | Continuous presence, massages, natural pain management, encouragement, favorable positions, partner support | Moral support, breastfeeding help, resources, returning home, reassurance, bonding |
| Midwife | Complete medical monitoring, examinations, prescriptions, risk detection, professional advice | Medical care, obstetric procedures, mother/baby safety, respect for the birth plan | Health care, baby monitoring, monitoring of the mother's physical health, medical check-ups |
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What are the advantages of being accompanied by a doula?
Support from a doula offers numerous benefits validated by scientific research :
💜 Continuous presence: a doula does not leave the delivery room, regardless of the duration of labor (if present at the desired delivery)
✨ Reduced stress: its presence reduces anxiety, fear of childbirth, and promotes positive hormones.
🕰️ Reduced working hours: deliveries are often faster.
💉 Fewer medical interventions: reduced recourse epidural and at the cesarean section noted.
🤱 Breastfeeding support: Moms benefit from practical and emotional help to facilitate breastfeeding implementation of breastfeeding.
👨👩👧👦 Partner integration: the partner is also supported, involved and reassured.e.
How to access a midwife or doula in Quebec?
The demand for personalized support continues to grow. Here are the steps to take to access these two types of support:
- For one midwife : midwifery services are public, free and accessible in the majority of regions by birth centers. However, demand is high and it is advisable to apply from the start of pregnancy.
- For one doula : Doula accompaniment is offered on a private basis, reimbursed by insurance and prices vary. The directory ANPQ, whose services can be reimbursed by insurance.
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How to choose your doula or midwife?
Some tips for an informed choice:
👐 Meet multiple people: Alchemy, trust and good communication are essential. Don’t hesitate to meet several doulas and chat with different midwives.
🔎 Check training and experience: for midwives, everyone practicing must be a member of the Order of Midwives of Quebec. For doulas, experience, training continuous and listening are criteria to be validated.
🧘🏼 Adapt the choice to your needs; Do you want support in alternative medicine, breastfeeding, conscious parenting, fear management?
💃 Ask for references: testimonials from other families are valuable! At Ysé Naissance, we publish authentic feedback.
What are the 12 key points to remember about the complementary role of doulas and midwives?
1. The doula and midwife have clearly distinct roles (non-medical vs. medical support).
2. Their collaboration is permitted and encouraged for a global birth experience.
3. The doula ensures a continuous presence that has proven itself.
4. The midwife safeguards medical safety while respecting the physiology of birth.
5. Using both promotes better management of stress and pain.
6. Accompaniment by a doula reduces the risk of unnecessary medical intervention.
7. Scientific studies show notable benefits on the emotional state of parents.
8. The doula adapts her support to the culture and values of the family.
9. The midwife can practice in a birthing center, at home or even in a hospital.
10. Midwifery services are public in Quebec, unlike doula support usually private.
11. The partner is valued by both approaches, never sidelined.
12. Surrounding yourself with the right team from pregnancy allows you to anticipate needs and secure your birth plan, as proposed by Ysé Naissance
Remember that every pregnancy is unique
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