“So, what’s the difference between a doula and a midwife?”

This is still one of my most frequently asked questions! So let’s settle it once and for all: what is the difference between a doula and a midwife? And while we’re at it, how do midwives compare to OB/GYNs?

Doulas: The Ultimate Birth Cheerleaders

Think of doulas as your emotional, physical, and informational support squad during labor and birth. They don’t deliver babies, diagnose conditions, or perform medical procedures. Instead, they’re there to provide encouragement, massage your back, help you breathe through contractions, and remind you that, yes, you CAN do this. Imagine a friend, aunt, or sister who could help make you feel confident and calm in labor. Research shows that having doula support can help reduce your chances of needing an epidural or a C-section.

Midwives: The Medical Pros with a Holistic Touch

Midwives, on the other hand, are trained healthcare providers. Specifically, Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) like me are advanced practice nurses with graduate-level education in midwifery. We can:

✔️ Deliver babies (yes, even outside of hospitals!)
✔️ Prescribe medications (including birth control)
✔️ Perform gynecologic exams and procedures (IUD insertions, colposcopies)
✔️ Provide preconception, prenatal, general well-woman, and abortion care

Unlike doulas, midwives handle the medical side of pregnancy and birth. We monitor fetal heart rates, manage labor complications, and—when needed—collaborate with OB/GYNs for higher-risk situations.

Midwives also have a strong focus on respectful communication, relationship building, and holistic health.

OB/GYNs: The Surgical Specialists of Pregnancy and Beyond

While midwives primarily care for low-risk pregnancies, OB/GYNs are trained to handle both routine and high-risk cases. They’re medical doctors who can perform C-sections and manage complex medical conditions (severe pre-eclampsia, twin pregnancies, diabetes). They care for you when things become abnormal, whereas midwives really thrive in supporting normal physiologic birth processes.

So, Who Should You Choose?

It depends! If you want a more personalized, low-intervention approach and are low-risk, a midwife could be a great fit. If you have a high-risk pregnancy or prefer a more medicalized approach, an OB/GYN might be your best bet. And if you want extra emotional and physical support during labor, hiring a doula—regardless of your provider—can be an absolute game-changer.

At the end of the day, birth is about you—your body, your baby, your choices. The best team is the one that makes you feel safe, heard, and supported.