Doulas

**kymmy** · 08-01-2008 11:42

What does a doula do differently to a midwife?
I am especially interested in people who have had both.

**MoonstoneMumma** · 08-01-2008 11:48

Hi,

a doula is a non medical support person. you hire them separetly and you can pay anywhere from $300 - $1200 for one. they visit your house a set number of times before the birth and fill you in on all the information that the hospital fails to tell you. they offer support and guidance. during the birth they are with you the whole time. they also support the partner as well. they will help during the birth by giving back rubs, help with breathing techniques, visulisations, running baths and showers and so on. they are there after the birth to help you with breastfeeding and then help you get settled. they then come to you house afterwards and help with settling techniques and any other questions you may have.

a midwife is purely medical based (unless u have a home birth mw then she is a mix of both doula and midwife) they check your temps, blood pressure, monitor the heart rate and cut the cord once baby has been born. they are not there the whole time. there are often shift changes as well so that you may end up with a few different midwives. dont get me wrong, midwives are great! i wanna be one myself. but its just not as personal as a doula

hope that helps

**kymmy** · 08-01-2008 11:58

A little helpful, thanks. I know what a midwife does. They stare at you (I guess they call it observations)and yeah do those medical things. They never left me alone!
I am sort of thinking of having a doula next time. I would rather birth on my own but hubby may be more willing to have a home birth if someone else is there. I just want to feel comfortable with the person.
How do you find a doula?

**MoonstoneMumma** · 08-01-2008 12:00

there are a few websites you can look at, i'll pm them to you if you like. i suggest talking to a few of them so that you can find the one right for both you and your partner. three support people for a home birth is a great number - two people supporting you while the other sleeps/eats/ gets heat packs ready/etc.

**stellarella** · 08-01-2008 12:02

I have been in contact with homebirth midwives. All of them felt that doulas are great for hospital births however a good homebirth midwife will provide you with all the love, emotional and physical support you require.

A homebirth is not a medical event. Some midwives are offended by the idea that they provide medical care only as they see birth as a holistic event and they feel the emotional aspects are as important if not more important. There is very little medical stuff needed in a homebirth.

I think for a hospital birth a doula is of utmost importance as she provides that continuity of care whereas if you have a good homebirth midwife she provides all of that.

HTH

**kymmy** · 08-01-2008 12:22

Thanks.
Still rather no midwife or doula. I am sure there is the right one for me. Just a matter of finding them.

**ShadyCharacter** · 08-01-2008 12:50

I agree with Stella, there is a massive difference between a homebirth midwife and a hospital medwife.

My homebirth midwife is happy to sit in another room and mind her own business unless we call her if thats what we like, and most good homebirth midwives would be exactly the same.

Fortunately for me, I have a great relationship and friendship with my midwife, and imagine I will be relying on her for support..... no bludgy birth sitting round on her butt for her

**lilpearl** · 09-01-2008 11:21

Originally Posted by stellarella

I have been in contact with homebirth midwives. All of them felt that doulas are great for hospital births however a good homebirth midwife will provide you with all the love, emotional and physical support you require.

A homebirth is not a medical event. Some midwives are offended by the idea that they provide medical care only as they see birth as a holistic event and they feel the emotional aspects are as important if not more important. There is very little medical stuff needed in a homebirth.

I think for a hospital birth a doula is of utmost importance as she provides that continuity of care whereas if you have a good homebirth midwife she provides all of that.

HTH

While homebirth midwives are just like doulas in the support they give, a doula is often that little bit different. I had a midwife and a doula at my homebirth, and the midwife was more of an observer, and still had to take all the notes, prepare the area, etc (a homebirth midwife must follow certain practices in order to keep her licence), while the doula (who was also a student midwife) gave the backrubs, had a good chat with DH, etc. I think a doula is a fantastic idea for a homebirth, as there is no such thing as too much support, provided you choose how many/who will be there, and anything to keep a homebirth running smoothly and avoid complications/transfer is a bonus!

Whatever support you feel you will desire, that is the support you should seek out. As a mother, I LOVE doulas, as a doula, I love homebirths, as a student midwife, I look forward to working with doulas (I'll be an independent midiwfe A.S.A.P)