Today women are more educated about their birth options, and while most opt to deliver in a hospital rather than at home or a birth center, many women aren’t aware that using someone other than and OB/GYN is an option.

The question is not whether to choose between a doula or a midwife but to realize that you can actually use both!

A midwife performs actual pre and post natal medical care and delivery.
A doula is there to support the mother and meet her needs.
An OB/GYN is a medical doctor that can perform the pre and post natal medical care and vaginal delivery, as well as handle any emergency birth situations such as would require a Caesarian section.

Your options are:
Just your OB/GYN
Just your midwife
A doula & OB/GYN
A doula and midwife

In a hospital setting an OB/GYN will be available if an emergency should arise.

There are varying levels of Midwifery – Lay Midwifery, Certified Midwifery and Certified Nurse Midwifery.
If you are foregoing an OB/GYN it is important to make sure you have a Nurse-Midwife. More info on this topic.

Midwives and doulas encourage a natural (non-medicated) birth and tend to be medically as hands-off as possible. Doulas are better known as a birth coach, they are there to support the mother as much as possible and both help to assist in postpartum care and breastfeeding.

Many midwives can perform doula services.

Most major insurance companies cover midwifery services– typically at a reduced “out-of-network provider” rate. Your lab charges, as well as physician charges, if needed, are additional and usually covered by insurance plans even if you choose an out-of-network provider.

Doulas are rarely covered by insurance and most require a up front one time fee. Often this fee can be paid or reimbursed from your Flex Spending Account.