Do You Need a Doula If You Already Have a Midwife?

Expecting families often ask, “Do I really need a doula if I already have a midwife?” It’s a great question — and one we hear often. Both midwives and doulas play essential roles during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum — but their responsibilities, training, and focus are quite different.

Let’s explore how these two professionals complement each other — and why many families choose to have both.

What Does a Midwife Do?

Midwives are healthcare providers trained to monitor the physical health of you and your baby during pregnancy, labor, and birth. They provide:

• Prenatal care and exams
• Monitoring baby’s growth and wellbeing
• Managing the clinical aspects of birth (virtal signs, cervical checks, catching the baby, etc.)
• Immediate postpartum care for mother and baby

Your midwife’s top priority is the medical safety of your birth.

What Does a Doula Do?

Doulas provide continuous emotional, physical, spiritual, and informational support throughout pregnancy, labor, and early postpartum. A doula is not a medical professional but a trained birth support specialist who:

• Offers hands-on comfort techniques during labor (like massage, counter pressure, position changes, and breathing guidance)

• Supports your partner so they can stay present and confident

• Helps you advocate for your preferences and understand what’s happening in real time

• Provides nonjudgmental emotional support before, during, and after birth

Your doula’s top priority is your emotional well-being and comfort.

Midwives and Doulas: A Dream Team

Think of your midwife and doula as two sides of the same coin — both essential, but focused on different aspects of your birth experience.

While your midwife monitors your health, your doula helps you feel supported, calm, and empowered through every contraction.

Here’s how they often work together during labor:

• Your doula stays by your side continuously, offering hands-on comfort and reassurance.

• Your midwife comes in to assess progress, listen to the baby, and handle medical needs.

• Your doula helps you process what’s happening and supports your partner emotionally.

• Together, they create a balanced, safe, and nurturing environment for birth.

Why Families Choose Both

Even though midwives are known for their personal, holistic care, they still have to manage the clinical side of birth. They may need to chart, monitor vitals, or focus on your baby’s transition after birth — and that’s where a doula shines.

With a doula, you have continuous, one-on-one support no matter what’s happening in the room. Whether your birth is at home, in a birth center, or in a hospital, a doula can help you stay centered and supported every step of the way.

So, Do You Need a Doula?

You may not need one in the medical sense — but families who hire both a midwife and a doula often describe their birth as more peaceful, connected, and confident.

A doula’s role is not to replace your midwife, but to enhance your birth experience — offering physical comfort, emotional support, and consistent presence that allows your midwife to focus on keeping you and your baby healthy.

The Bottom Line

Having both a midwife and a doula means you’re supported body, mind, and spirit throughout your birth journey.

If you’re planning a birth in Greensboro, Burlington, Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh, or Winston-Salem, North Carolina, our team at Holistic Heritage Birth Services would love to support you. Our doulas work beautifully alongside midwives to create a birth experience that is safe, empowering, and deeply personal.

Ready to learn more or schedule a free consultation? Contact us today to explore how doula support can complement your midwife care.