What’s the Difference Between a Doula and a Midwife?

And why you may want both on your birth team

If you're pregnant and doing your research, you've likely come across the terms doula and midwife—and possibly wondered: Aren’t they the same thing?

The short answer? Nope. But they work beautifully together.

At Trinity Doula Services, one of the most common questions we get from expecting families is: “If I already have a midwife, do I still need a doula?” And vice versa. So let’s break it down.

👩‍⚕️ What Is a Midwife?

A midwife is a trained medical provider who offers clinical care during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. Depending on their credentials, midwives can work in hospitals, birth centers, or homebirth settings.

There are a few types of midwives:

• CNMs (Certified Nurse-Midwives): Registered nurses with advanced training in midwifery, licensed to practice in hospitals and birth centers.

• CPMs (Certified Professional Midwives): Experts in out-of-hospital birth, often serving homebirth clients.

• CMs/DEM/Traditional Midwives: May practice under different titles depending on training and local laws.

Midwives:

• Monitor fetal growth and maternal health

• Offer prenatal exams and order labs or ultrasounds

• Catch babies (yes, they deliver!)

• Handle minor complications and emergencies

• Offer postpartum care, like checking healing and newborn vitals

Think of a midwife as your clinical provider with a more holistic and low-intervention approach than a typical OB-GYN.

🤱 What Is a Doula?

A doula is a trained, non-medical professional who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to families before, during, and after birth.

At TDS, our doulas are also certified in areas like newborn care, lactation support, herbal postpartum healing, and more—but we do not provide medical care.

Doulas:

• Help you prepare a birth plan and understand your options

• Offer comfort techniques during labor: massage, positions, breathwork

• Provide encouragement, education, and advocacy

• Stay with you continuously through your labor and birth

• Support your partner or other family members

• Assist with postpartum recovery, newborn care, and emotional wellness

A doula is your companion, coach, and calming presence—through every contraction and sleepless night.

🚼 Do I Need Both a Midwife and a Doula?

You can have one or the other, but they serve very different roles.

Having both a midwife and a doula ensures:

• You're medically safe and emotionally supported

• Your provider can focus on monitoring you and baby, while your doula supports your comfort and confidence

• You never feel alone, especially during long labors or complex decisions

• Your family or partner also has someone to guide and ground them

At TDS, many of our clients use midwives and doulas—and tell us it was one of the best choices they made.

🟣 Bonus: What if I’m Giving Birth in a Hospital?

Midwives and doulas both attend hospital births! You don’t need to choose a home birth to have a midwife or doula—many hospitals across St. Louis and Southern Illinois welcome both.

Plus, our doulas are familiar with hospital policies, OBs, and nurses and can help bridge communication so your birth experience feels more supported and less rushed.

💜 You Deserve a Whole Team

Whether you're planning a home waterbirth or delivering via scheduled cesarean, you deserve a circle of care that supports your body, your choices, and your peace of mind.

Trinity Doula Services is proud to work alongside midwives, OBs, nurses, chiropractors, lactation consultants, and more to bring you the best of both worlds.

Want to meet your future doula? Book a free consultation here:🌐 www.trinitydoula.com/booking-calendar/doula-consultation-virtual