Doula vs. midwife vs. OBGYN – Which Path is Right for You?

What is the difference between a midwife or an OB-GYN and a midwife? Are there differences between a doula or a midwife?

It may seem like doulas, midwives, and obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) are just different ways of saying the same thing. These three professions all revolve around providing care for pregnant women during the birthing process.

Although these roles are quite distinct, it is important to understand what makes each one different.

What does a doula do?

Doulas offer non-medical support for pregnant women, especially during labor and delivery. Doulas are there to advocate for and address the mother’s emotional and physical needs. Doulas are not trained to deliver babies. They provide general support for the mother during childbirth.

What is a doula?

Doulas meet with clients several times before birth to assist them in making a plan and to provide information about childbirth. Doulas can help with labor pains by providing non-medical interventions like breathing, massage, and moving the mother to different positions.

Doulas offer support and encouragement to mothers during childbirth, as well as emotional support for their partner. Doulas work with mothers to help them care for their infants and provide support during postpartum.

Barbara Timson was a Swiss midwife before moving to Seattle, where she has been a doula for more than 20 years. She stated that she loves being a doula because she can provide women with the emotional support they need in today’s healthcare system.

Doula requirements

Doulas are not required to have a license in order to practice because they are not doctors. To increase their credibility, many doulas choose to get a certificate. Doulas of North America International (DONA International) and the International Childbirth Education Association(ICEA) can provide training. Doulas learn more through experience than from formal education.

Doulas do not receive a medical education and most work in private practice, birthing centers, or at home.

Midwife definition

Contrary to doulas and other health professionals, a midwife is a trained professional who provides care for women throughout their lives with a particular focus on pregnancy and birth. Many midwives also work as Registered Nurses (RNs).

Job duties of a midwife

Timson stated, “As a Midwife, I was more accountable for making all of the decisions. It becomes more medical.” A midwife’s duties do not stop at caring for pregnant women. They also provide obstetrical and gynecological services to women at all stages in their lives.

Midwives, like doulas and other midwives, aim to support mothers in physical and emotional ways. They may also act as a link between the patient’s healthcare team and the patient. The philosophy of many midwives is to minimize unnecessary medical interventions.

Unlike doulas, most midwives work in hospitals. 95% of all births attended in 2017 by Certified Nurse Midwives and Certified Midwives were in hospitals. Although it is less common, midwives can work in birthing centers or at home.

Thrower stated, “I have worked in a birth center and at large tertiary care hospitals. I have also worked at community-based hospitals. Midwifery can look very different in all those places.”

Requirements for midwifery

There are many types of midwives, but most are either Certified Nurse Midwives or Certified Midwives.

Both must have at least a master’s in midwifery and have passed the American Midwifery Certification Board certification exam. CNMs can also be Registered Nurses (RNs).

They have a higher education than doulas, which allows them to be able to prescribe medication and provide medical care (depending on the state they are practicing in). Midwifery salaries are often higher than doulas.

Do they work together?

Yes, there are many ways that OB-GYNs and midwives can work together. Nurse-midwives are often able to assist OB-GYNs on maternity wards or in other settings for women’s health and work with patients at lower risk because of their medical knowledge.

Doulas and midwives often work in the same birthing center. A doula can accompany a woman to the hospital if she has hired one. If there are more complications, a midwife or OB-GYN may be required to oversee the birth. The doula will provide emotional support and guidance.

Comparing OB-GYN vs. salary of doula vs. salary of midwife

These three occupations have very different salaries. The disparity is due to the importance of education. Positions that require more training and schooling typically pay more.

It’s also important to have experience. For example, if you are a doula, a midwife or at a private birth center, gaining clients and positive testimonials may help you raise your rates. You can also increase your earning potential by becoming certified in these positions.

Your earning potential could be affected by where you live. Because of the higher living costs, all three professions might be more lucrative in densely populated areas. However, there may be fewer professionals in rural areas, which could lead to a greater demand for their services.

Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t have data on doulas’ salaries, it does provide information about the median annual income for nurse-midwives or OB-GYNs.

Midwives

OB-GYNs

The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics has published the Occupational Outlook Handbook, which shows that the median salary of Physicians (under the OBGYNS category) was $208,000 in 2022.

The overall field is expected to grow by 3% in the next decade. However, the average industry growth rate for obstetricians/gynecologists was 2%.