How to Choose a Midwife or Doula

Many mothers desire to feel connected with their babies during childbirth with as few interventions as possible. Nurse midwives and doulas generally make births like this possible. They allow moms to feel more connected at the very start of their babies' lives by utilizing holistic practices within a comfortable environment, such as the home. Many midwives and doulas believe that with a lack of interventions, there is less chance that the baby will have problems and will therefore generally be able to breastfeed immediately. Though this is also often common for medicated moms, sometimes it is not.

First Appointment
Generally upon your first visit to a midwifery or doula practice you may expect the following:

Introductory visit: During this time, the mother has a chance to meet the practitioner and decide whether or not she is comfortable with her skills, abilities and style. The doula or midwife will also assess what exactly you are looking for in the birth process. On your first appointment, traditional assessments will be made of your height, weight, general health, complications, and health and pregnancy history. A midwife may not use an ultrasound during your pregnancy, though you may request one. Most mothers utilizing a midwife generally prefer not to have routine ultrasounds done, on the theory that fewer interventions are better.
Regularly scheduled pre-natal visits: Midwives generally will meet with an expectant mother once a month initially, then every two weeks closer to birth and finally every week the last month, much like any other practice.

If you are visiting a doula practice, you will generally visit with the doula for an introductory visit as well, to get a feel for the doula's personality and delivery style. In addition you will have at least one dry run visit about 2 weeks before the due date.

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Member Comments About this Article

	"Thank you for taking the time to write about midwives and doulas. I am a birth doula, midwife's assistant, and mom to 5 great kids. I think your article would have been much more effective if you had clarified the differences in midwifery and doula care. Midwives are care practitioners who provide prenatal care and will ultimately deliver the baby. Doulas are present for physical and emotional support before, during and after birth and do not provide any clinical care. The roles of midwive..." -- DOULAMOLLY

	"I used a hospital midwifery practice for my last pregnancy and I was really happy with my care. I do think that there are differences in the way the midwives approach care, even hospital midwives, when compared with OBs (in general). The midwife spent a lot of time with me and really listened to my preferences and my concerns. I think that the midwives wanted me to have an unmedicated vaginal birth almost as much as I did and that combined commitment on both our parts helped make it happen when ..." -- ASDOPFNAWE

	"I am fortunate to be able to choose between a registered midwife or maternity doctor for my care and delivery as both are covered under medical in British Columbia. I have chosen a midwife due to the more personable care (there are no clinical doctor's rooms at a midwife's office), longer appointments, and the option for at home or hospital birth. That being said, in BC midwives are only options for women with low-risk births so some women don't have this option. As for doulas, it is important t..." -- WESTCOASTBABY

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About The Author

Antigone Arthur
Antigone is a freelance writer and proud mother. She has been researching and writing about pregnancy, breastfeeding, infertility and alternative health solutions for more than a decade.