Do I Need a Midwife & a Doula?

scoutwinnipeg
Apr 21
2 min read

Newborn assessment by a Manitoba Midwife at Ode'imin.

Midwife vs. Doula: What’s the Difference, and Which One Do You Need?

If you're expecting a baby or planning to be, you've probably come across the terms midwife and doula. Both play incredibly supportive roles during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum—but they serve very different purposes. Understanding the difference between a midwife and a doula can help you make informed choices about your birth team and the type of support you want.

Here’s a breakdown of who they are, what they do, and how they can help during your journey into parenthood.

What Is a Midwife?

A midwife is a trained healthcare professional who provides medical care to women during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. They are qualified to deliver babies and can manage many aspects of prenatal and postnatal care.

Key Responsibilities of a Midwife:

Monitoring the health of both mother and baby
Conducting prenatal checkups and screenings
Managing labor and delivery (including catching the baby!)
Providing postpartum care and follow-ups
Recognizing complications and transferring care to an OB-GYN if needed

Midwives are covered by Manitoba Health and are in high demand! It is best to get in contact with a Midwife as soon as you find out you're pregnant.

Apply for a midwife here.

What Is a Doula?

A doula is a non-medical support person who provides emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. Think of a doula as a birth coach, advocate, and cheerleader all rolled into one.

Key Responsibilities of a Doula:

Offering continuous emotional support and encouragement
Helping with pain management techniques like breathing, massage, and positioning
Providing information so you can make informed decisions
Advocating for your birth preferences
Supporting partners and helping them stay involved
Assisting with early breastfeeding and newborn care

There are different types of doulas, including:

Birth Doulas: Support you during labor and delivery
Postpartum Doulas: Help during the early weeks after birth with newborn care, breastfeeding, and recovery

Do You Need Both?

Many parents choose to work with both a midwife and a doula—and they complement each other beautifully.

The midwife focuses on your clinical health and the safe delivery of your baby.
The doula is focused entirely on your comfort, emotional well-being, and making sure you feel supported and empowered.

Together, we create a balanced support system that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of birth.

Want to know more if a doula is right for your birth team?