Doula vs Independent Midwife

[Betcha]

Hi all,
I am very excited to be attempting VBAC in April with my second bub.
DD is 20 months old, delivered via c-section due to breech presentation.

I am just starting to realise what I might be up against in terms of hospital's policies etc, so I am looking into either a Doula or Independent Midwife. I am just wondering how these two compare to each other.

I feel like I will benefit having someone there to advocate for me to help me achieve as natural a birth as possible. My biggest concern is not knowing when the recommended interventions (whether it be induction, monitoring, epidural etc) are simply recommended or actually necessary, so someone who can advise me in the area as well as voice my birth plan while in labour would be very beneficial.

Can anyone shed a little light on whether a Doula or Midwife would be more appropriate for me... or if there isn't much difference???

[ubba82]

Hi Betcha,

As far as I know, both can and will advocate for you. The difference is, a Doula acts purely as a support person where a midwife acts as support, delivers your baby and can administer pethedine and gas. They both play completely differnt roles.

Good Luck with your VBAC, I hope everything goes your way!

[Carrie]

As independant midwife, Alan is here in BB and is great to talk to about this sort of stuff. I had a VBAC at a private hospital and was tossing up this same thing. I chose a Doula due to the cost, I was already paying for an OB and a midwife cannot actually actively use skills in hospital, just their knowledge. The doula I chose was also a nurse, so I was really happy with her medical knowledge. For me it came down to costs.

[monday]

Good question, I was thinking the same thing for my next pregnancy, I am researching VBA2C at the moment.

[Alan]

Hi Betcha
The main differences between a Midwife and a Doula are
Independent Midwife
More expensive to hire than a Doula.
Has an in depth knowledge of the medical side of things.
Cannot act as a Midwife in the hospital unless they already work there. And therefore can only act as a support person giving you advice, encouragement and explaining in plain English what the doctors are saying.

Doula
Less expensive to hire than a Midwife
Has a good basic knowledge of the medical side of things.
Acts as a support person giving you advice, encouragement and explaining in plain English what the doctors are saying.

[Sara]

Originally Posted by Alan

Hi Betcha
The main differences between a Midwife and a Doula are
Independent Midwife
More expensive to hire than a Doula.
Has an in depth knowledge of the medical side of things.
Cannot act as a Midwife in the hospital unless they already work there. And therefore can only act as a support person giving you advice, encouragement and explaining in plain English what the doctors are saying.

Doula
Less expensive to hire than a Midwife
Has a good basic knowledge of the medical side of things.
Acts as a support person giving you advice, encouragement and explaining in plain English what the doctors are saying.

Wonderfully put Alan!

[Midwife Melissa]

Originally Posted by Alan

Independent Midwife
can only act as a support person giving you advice, encouragement and explaining in plain English what the doctors are saying.

Doula
Acts as a support person giving you advice, encouragement and explaining in plain English what the doctors are saying.

Both doulas and midwives can give encouragement and support. Only midwives can give advice .... doulas are merely in a support role. There are prohibitions in some States for people who act as midwives if they are not registered .... that includes advice. This is not the case in other States but is something to be wary of. If it were me, I'd take legal advice from a qualified lawyer, not a person who has basic training in it. I take my car to a qualified mechanic, not a friend who knows about cars, but it all depends on what you're after. Yes, there is a cost difference and that is related to the education of doulas vs midwives, the ongoing educational needs of midwives (conferences etc cost several hundred dollars) etc. Why not talk to some doulas and midwives and see where you feel more comfortable?